Estimated reading time 2 minutes
Table of Contents
Introduction
Do you want to know what in the world the odd sounding word onomatopoeia means? Do you need help learning how to write them? We’ll define the word and have examples from writing, songwriting, and poetry. Keep reading What Exactly Does Onomatopoeia Mean in Writing to learn what it is and how it’s used.
What Does Onomatopoeia Mean #1: Defining the Word
The Merriam Webster Dictionary defines onomatopoeia as:
1: the naming of a thing or action by a vocal imitation of the sound associated with it (such as buzz, hiss).
Also: a word formed by onomatopoeia: “In comic books, when you see someone with a gun, you know it’s only going off when you read the onomatopoeias.” – Christian Marclay (Merriam Webster Online)
In other words, these words will make your reader hear the sounds described in your prose:
- Zippers make zipping sounds.
- Bees make buzzing sounds.
- A bang is the same sound you get when a gun fires.
When done right, they can help the reader to experience your writing more forcefully.
What Does Onomatopoeia Mean #2: In Poetry and Songwriting
Poets and songwriters use onomatopoeia to create a musical feel in their work. In the poem The Bells, Edgar Allen Poe uses these words to create a soundscape:
- Clang
- Clangor
- Clash
- Groaning
- Jangling
- Jingling
- Moaning
- Roar
- Tinkle
- Twang
By engaging the reader’s sense of hearing, the poem becomes immersive, stimulating their imaginations, which helps them to experience the poem more fully.
For the full poem: click here.
Video: Bang Bang
Likewise, the song Bang Bang uses the onomatopoeia from the title throughout the song to help convey the abusive nature of the relationship the singer is in.
For the full Bang Bang lyrics: click here.
What Does Onomatopoeia Mean #3: In Fiction Writing
You find onomatopoeia in children’s books more than adult fiction writing:
- However, there are examples in adult literature, such as Terry Pratchett’s Thud!
- In the picture book Click, Clack, Moo – Cows That Type, some cows on a farm find an old typewriter and use it to negotiate with the farmer for blankets in exchange for continued milk production.
- The story uses the words click, clack, and moo to illustrate the sounds the animals make as they write their protest letters.
Final Thoughts
Takeaway points:
- Onomatopoeia will make your reader hear the sounds described in your prose.
- In addition, poets and songwriters use them to create a musical feel in their work.
- By engaging the reader’s sense of hearing, the poem becomes immersive, stimulating your imagination, which helps you to experience the poem more fully.
Have fun writing!
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- How to Write a Parody Song without Being Sued
- 12 Simile Examples That Aren’t Cliches (How to Write Them)
- What’s Assonance and What’s the Best Way to Use it in Writing?
© 2025 Geoffrey Keith
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