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Word of the Day — Thursday, February 26, 2026

onomatopoeia

noun/ˌä-nə-ˌmä-tə-ˈpē-ə/

Definitions

nounthe naming of a thing or action by a vocal imitation of the sound associated with it the creation of words that imitate natural sounds (such as buzz, hiss)

nounthe use of words whose sound suggests the sense

a study of the poet's onomatopoeia

Examples

  • a study of the poet's onomatopoeia

Etymology

Late Latin, from Greek onomatopoiia, from onomat-, onoma name + poiein to make