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Glite Dictionary
onomatopoeical

onomatopoeical

9.5
A word that copies the sound something makes, like 'buzz' or 'bang'
  • adjective
  • /ˌɒnəˌmætəˈpiːɪkəl/
  • Specialized
translation icon : onomatopeico
  • Many comic books use onomatopoeical words like 'bang' and 'crash' for sound effects.

Examples

  • The word onomatopoeical describes sounds like 'buzz' and 'hiss'.

  • The word 'buzz' is an onomatopoeical expression of the sound made by bees.

  • Children find onomatopoeical language particularly engaging because it reflects familiar noises.

  • Many poets use onomatopoeical words to create vivid imagery.

  • Children enjoy reading stories that include onomatopoeical words like 'sizzle' and 'pop' because they mimic real sounds.

  • In cartoons, onomatopoeical words such as 'boom' and 'whack' add excitement and help convey action.

  • The onomatopoeical word 'meow' perfectly imitates the sound that a cat makes.

Synonyms

onomatopoeic
vsonomatopoeical
  • Specialized
1 7.4

A word that sounds like the noise something makes, for example bang or buzz

focuses on being formed by imitating the natural associated sound
onomatopoetic
vsonomatopoeical
  • Specialized
8.2

Words that copy sounds like 'meow' or 'buzz'

is the same idea but stresses formation from natural sounds
echoic
vsonomatopoeical
  • Specialized
8.6

A word that copies a natural sound, for example buzz or hiss

is specifically about words created by copying real sounds
imitative
vsonomatopoeical
  • Specialized
5.5

Words that copy natural sounds like bang or buzz

is the same meaning but more focused on direct sound copying

How Sound-Like

imitative
  • Specialized
5.5
onomatopoeical
  • Specialized
9.5
suggestive
18 5.2
arbitrary
92 6.1

Surface Forms

onomatopoeical positive
onomatopoeic positive

Morphology

onomatopoeical = onomatopoeia (transparent) = onomatopoeia + ical

The suffix '-ical' is a standard adjective-forming suffix, making the meaning clear.

Etymology

Onomatopoeical comes from two Greek parts: onoma 'name' and poiein 'to make'. So onomatopoeical words are words 'made' to sound like what they name, as in 'buzz', 'bang', or 'crash'.