Vocabulary 16 - Onomatopoeia 2
Many times when we are conversing we tend to use some words specifically to emphasise certain actions, or to describe something in a better way. You may recall some advertisements you have seen, heard or read and some words in the advertisement always remind you of the product that was advertised. Many times (especially in India, where there are many languages spoken) you may listen to words spoken in different languages and not understand them. But there are other times when you understand what is being said even though you do not know the language. More often than not the reason why you can understand words you are not familiar with is that certain words sound like what they describe.
If a cola advertisement is on air then the word FIZZ is not far away! FIZZ sounds like the noise made by a fizzy drink. Words that sound like the noise they describe are known as ONOMATOPOEIC words.
The dictionary meaning of ONOMATOPOEIA is 'the formation of words whose sound is imitative of the sound of the noise or action designated, such as hiss, buzz, and bang and is the use of such words for poetic or rhetorical effect'.
Some of the more often used onomatopoeic words are:
BUZZ - a low, vibrating, humming sound, as made by bees, machinery, or people talking.
ZOOM - the sound made by a car as it moves quickly by.
HICCUP - the sound made when your diaphragm goes into spasm.
BANG - a sudden, loud noise, such as a balloon bursting or a gun firing.
MOO - the sound made by a cow.
Understanding onomatopoeic words becomes easier if you start using them more often. The quiz that follows gives you some great onomatopoeic words to help expand your vocabulary.