Figurative Language

A word or phrase used to describe one thing in terms of another Figure of Speech A word or phrase used to describe one thing in terms of another

language that appeals to the senses Imagery language that appeals to the senses

“Nothing Gold Can Stay” by Robert Frost Nature's first green is gold, Her hardest hue to hold. Her early leaf’s a flower; But only so an hour. Then leaf subsides to leaf. So Eden sank to grief, So dawn goes down to day. Nothing gold can stay.

Simile A comparison between two unlike things using “like” or “as” This steak is as tough as leather.

A comparison between two unlike things where one is said to be another Metaphor A comparison between two unlike things where one is said to be another She has a heart of stone.

Personification An object or animal that has human feelings or characteristics The sun smiled on us today.

Alliteration The repetition of consonant sounds in words close together The sun was shining on the sea.

Allusion A reference to a person, place, or event from history, literature, religion, mythology, politics, sports, or science

From “The Lady of Shalott” (alludes to the legend of King Arthur) Sometimes a troop of damsels glad, An abbot on an ambling pad, Sometimes a curly shepherd lad, Or long-hair’d page in crimson clad; Goes by to tower’d Camelot (alludes to the legend of King Arthur)

Onomatopoeia The use of words whose sounds imitate their meaning The corn popped in the pan.

A heart symbolizes love. A person, place, thing, or event that has meaning in itself but also stands for something else A heart symbolizes love.

Hyperbole Overstating something, usually for comic effect (an exaggeration) I’m so hungry, I could eat a horse.

The Grand Canyon is a little hole in the ground. Understatement A statement that says less than what is meant (Opposite of exaggeration) The Grand Canyon is a little hole in the ground.

A play on words that sound alike but have different meanings Pun A play on words that sound alike but have different meanings Where did the elephant put his suitcase when he went on vacation? In his trunk 

Idiom An expression peculiar to a particular language that means something different from what the words literally say Lend me your ears.

Oxymoron Two words with opposite meanings joined together That carpet is pretty ugly.

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