English

Simile

An indirect comparison of unlike objects using 'as' or 'like'.

Metaphor

A direct comparison of unlike objects.

Personification

Giving human qualities to nonhuman objects.

Hyperbole

An exaggeration of statements.

Litotes

An understatement using double negatives.

Metonymy

A substitute word or group of words for an abstract idea.

Synecdoche

A part of something used to refer to the whole.

Onomatopoeia

A sound device that imitates the sound of something.

Oxymoron

Opposing words placed side by side.

Paradox

A self-contradictory statement that leaves something to think about.

Euphemism

An expression used to sugarcoat something rude, blunt, or tragic.

Irony

When the intended meaning is the opposite of what is stated.

Apostrophe

Addressing an absent or dead person or a nonhuman entity as if it can reply.

Pun

A play on words that have similar sounds but different meanings.

Mixed Metaphor

Combining two or more unrelated common expressions or metaphors which results in something absurd yet funny.

Overstatement

An exaggeration, or hyperbole.

Reverses

An unexpected sudden twist at the end of a statement.

Situational Irony

What took place is the opposite of what is expected.