Pronunciation: [ on-uh-mat-uh-pee-uh, ‐mah-tuh‐ ]
Definition: noun
the formation of a word, as cuckoo, meow, honk, or boom, by imitation of a sound made by or associated with its referent; often used for rhetorical, dramatic, or poetic effect
Origin: Late 16th century; Greek
Etymology: via late Latin from Greek onomatopoiia ‘word-making’, from onoma, onomat- ‘name’ + -poios ‘making’ (from poiein ‘to make’)
Usage:
Synonyms:
imitation
parallel
reflection
repetition
reverberation
Antonyms:
difference
opposite
reverse
question
Example: Her use of onomatopoeia in her paper about being raised on a farm was superb.