What does onomatopoeic mean?
Onomatopoeic means imitating, or formed by imitating, the natural sound associated with something. Words such as buzz, hiss, bark, clang, and murmur imitate sounds that speakers can hear, while words such as snap or crash can suggest the actions or events that produce those sounds. The term is common in discussions of literature, comics, child language, and everyday speech. Onomatopoeic language can make writing vivid and memorable by giving verbal expression to actions, objects, animals, and natural forces. It can also be analysed across languages, because communities often develop distinct conventional sounds for the same phenomenon. Although such words are usually treated as a unified category, they may imitate voices, environmental sounds, or mechanical noises. The adjective onomatopoeic is therefore useful when discussing how language reproduces audible features of the world and how sound helps shape meaning, rhythm, and imagery.
adjectiveRelating to or imitating the natural sound associated with something. It may also describe a word or expression formed through such imitation.
- Imitating or resembling the natural sound associated with something.
- Formed by imitating a natural sound.
"The onomatopoeic words “buzz” and “hiss” evoke the sounds of their referents."
"The comic-book page was full of onomatopoeic expressions such as “wham” and “zap.”"
"Researchers described the bell’s clear, onomatopoeic resonance."
Onomatopoeic words make language imitate the world: buzz, hiss, clang, and murmur.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does onomatopoeic come from?
The adjective appeared in the early 19th century, formed from onomatopoeia and the adjective-forming suffix -ic. Its larger word family comes through Latin from Greek onomatopoeia, a compound of onoma, meaning “word” or “name,” and poiein, meaning “to make.” The same Greek elements underlie related forms such as onomatopoesis and onomatopoetic.
Related word forms
How onomatopoeic is actually used
Standard in literary analysis, linguistics, and everyday discussion. The term is often used to characterize individual words or sounds, but it can also describe broader patterns of imitation in language.
Easily confused with onomatopoeic
Onomatopoeic is an adjective describing an imitative word, sound, or expression, whereas onomatopoeia is a noun naming that word or the process of creating it.