Literal and Figurative Language - Specific Examples

Specific Examples

Simile

A figure of speech in which one thing is explicitly compared to another, as in “she is like a rose.” Compare metaphor.

Origin: 1350–1400; Middle English < Latin: image, likeness, comparison, noun use of neuter of similis similar.

Example: Suzie is as quiet as a mouse and as tall as a giraffe.

Metaphor

A figure of speech in which a term or phrase is applied to something to which it is not literally applicable in order to suggest a resemblance, as in “A mighty fortress is our God.” Compare mixed metaphor, simile def. 1 .

Origin: 1525–35; < Latin metaphora < Greek metaphorá a transfer, akin to metaphérein to transfer. See meta-, -phore

Example: She was a hippo compared to her aunt.

Onomatopoeia

The formation of a word, as cuckoo or boom, by imitation of a sound made by or associated with its referent.

Origin: 1570–80; < Late Latin < Greek onomatopoiía making of words = onomato- (combining form of ónoma name) + poi- (stem of poieîn to make; see poet) + -ia -ia

Example: “Bark! Bark!” went the dog as he chased the car that vroomed past.

Personification

The attribution of a personal nature or character to inanimate objects or abstract notions, especially as a rhetorical figure.

Origin: 1745–55; personi(fy) + -fication

Example: The sun opened its sleepy eyes and smiled down on the Earth as a new day began.

Oxymoron

A figure of speech in which a pair of opposite or contradictory terms are used together for emphasis.

Origin: < post-classical Latin oxymoronfigure of speech in which a pair of opposed or markedly contradictory terms are placed in conjunction for emphasis (5th cent.; also oxymorum) < ancient Greek ὀξυ-oxy- comb. form1+ μωρόςdull, stupid, foolish (see moron n.2).

Examples: Organized chaos, Same difference

Paradox

A statement or proposition which is self-contradictory, unreasonable, or illogical.

Origin: < Middle French, French paradoxe(1495 as noun; 1372–4 in plural paradoxesas the title of a work by Cicero; paradoxon(noun) philosophical paradox in post-classical Latin also a figure of speech < ancient Greek παράδοξον, especially in plural παράδοξαStoical paradoxes, use as noun of neuter singular of παράδοξος(adjective) contrary to received opinion or expectation < παρα-para- prefix1+ δόξαopinion (see doxology n.), after ancient Greek παρὰ δόξανcontrary to expectation.

Example: This statement is a lie.

Hyperbole

A figure of speech which uses an extravagant or exaggerated statement to express strong feelings.

Origin: < Greek ὑπερβολήexcess (compare hyperbola n.), exaggeration; the latter sense is first found in Isocrates and Aristotle. Compare French hyperbole(earlier yperbole).

Example: They had been walking so long that John thought he might drink the entire lake when they came upon it.

Extended metaphor

A metaphor that is continued over multiple sentences.

Example: Suz m,.ie is a beautiful young flowering girl. Her cheeks are flush with the spring of life. She has the fragrance of youth about her.

Allusion

Reference to a famous character or event.

Example: Like Hercules, he is so strong.

Idiom

Is an expression consisting of a combination of words that have a figurative meaning.

Example: The following sentence contains an idiom.

You should keep your eye out for him. To keep an eye out for someone means to watch out for it.

Pun

Is an expression which suggests multiple meanings, by exploiting different meanings of words, intended for a humorous or rhetorical effect.

Example: I wondered why the ball was getting bigger. Then it hit me.

"Then it hit me." has two different meanings:

The ball hit the person.

The person figured out why the ball was getting bigger.