Literary Figurative Language Definitions

These flashcards cover various types of figurative language definitions and examples.

Simile

A comparison using 'like' or 'as.'

• Example 1: As brave as a lion

• Example 2: Like a diamond in the sky

Metaphor

A comparison that says one thing is another.

• Example 1: The snow is a white blanket

• Example 2: He is a shining star

Personification

Giving human qualities to non-human things.

• Example 1: The wind howled in the night

• Example 2: The sunflowers nodded in the breeze

Symbolism

When something represents a bigger idea.

• Example 1: A red rose representing love
• Example 2: A dove representing peace

Imagery

Language that appeals to the 5 senses.

• Example 1: The golden sun set behind the purple mountains
• Example 2: The aroma of fresh-baked bread filled the warm kitchen

Allusion

A reference to a famous person, place, book, or event.

• Example 1: He’s a real Romeo with the girls
• Example 2: My math teacher is a real Einstein

Hyperbole

An extreme exaggeration for emphasis.

• Example 1: I’m so hungry I could eat a horse
• Example 2: I've told you a 1,000,000 times

Idiom

A phrase that doesn’t mean exactly what it says.

• Example 1: Break a leg
• Example 2: Piece of cake

Onomatopoeia

A word that sounds like the noise it describes.

• Example 1: The bee went buzz
• Example 2: The steak began to sizzle in the pan

Pun

A joke using words with multiple meanings or similar sounds.

• Example 1: I was wondering why the ball was getting bigger. Then it hit me
• Example 2: An elephant’s opinion carries a lot of weight

Alliteration

Repetition of the same beginning sound in nearby words.

• Example 1: Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers
• Example 2: Sally sells seashells by the seashore

Irony

When the opposite of what’s expected happens.

• Example 1: A fire station burning down
• Example 2: A pilot having a fear of heights