Which term refers to words that imitate sounds?

Which term refers to words that imitate sounds?

• A. Synonym
• B. Onomatopoeia
• C. Antonym
• D. Denotation

Answer: (B)

Onomatopoeia is the name for words that imitate sounds. When a word sounds like the noise it describes—buzz, hiss, bang—it helps readers hear the sound in their heads. That’s different from synonyms, which are words with the same or very similar meanings; antonyms are words with opposite meanings; denotation refers to the literal dictionary meaning of a word. So the best term for words that imitate sounds is onomatopoeia. For example, buzz mimics a bee, hiss imitates a snake, and clang captures a metal sound.

Onomatopoeia is the name for words that imitate sounds. When a word sounds like the noise it describes—buzz, hiss, bang—it helps readers hear the sound in their heads. That’s different from synonyms, which are words with the same or very similar meanings; antonyms are words with opposite meanings; denotation refers to the literal dictionary meaning of a word. So the best term for words that imitate sounds is onomatopoeia. For example, buzz mimics a bee, hiss imitates a snake, and clang captures a metal sound.