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Glite Dictionary
🔔 A sound instrument 💬 A sound word
idiophone

idiophone

9.9
A word that imitates a sound or movement, like buzz
  • noun
  • /ˈɪdiəˌfoʊn/
  • Specialized
translation icon : idiófono
  • The word 'buzz' is an example of an idiophone that imitates the sound of a bee.

Examples

  • In some languages, an idiophone can describe not only sounds but also colors or movements.

  • Writers often use an idiophone to make their stories more vivid and engaging.

  • Many idiophones can be found in children's literature.

  • Can you think of an idiophone that suggests a sound?

  • The word 'clang' is an example of an idiophone that vividly suggests a metallic sound.

  • In poetry, an idiophone like 'sizzle' captures the essence of cooking sounds.

  • Writers often incorporate an idiophone to enhance the sensory experience in their narratives.

Synonyms

onomatopoeia
vsidiophone
  • Specialized
3 8.4

Words that copy the sounds that things make, like 'meow' or 'buzz'

is broader, also covering movement, color, and other sensory impressions

Surface Forms

idiophone singular
idiophones plural

Etymology

Idiophone can also mean a word that copies a sound, and it uses the same parts idio- 'own' and -phone 'sound', like in telephone. So an idiophone is a word that makes or copies a sound, for example 'buzz' for a bee.