figure of speech words examples

Figure of Speech

Definition of figure of speech.

you fit into me like a hook into an eye a fish hook an open eye

Types of Figures of Speech

Common examples of figures of speech used in conversation, understatement, common examples of figure of speech in writing, personification, writing figure of speech, figure of speech as artistic use of language, figure of speech as entertainment for reader, figure of speech as memorable experience for reader, examples of figure of speech in literature, example 1:  the great gatsby  (f. scott fitzgerald).

In his blue gardens men and girls came and went like moths among the whisperings and the champagne and the stars.

Example 2:  One Hundred Years of Solitude (Gabriel Garcia Marquez)

Both described at the same time how it was always March there and always Monday, and then they understood that José Arcadio Buendía was not as crazy as the family said, but that he was the only one who had enough lucidity to sense the truth of the fact that time also stumbled and had accidents and could therefore splinter and leave an eternalized fragment in a room.

Example 3:  Fahrenheit 451 (Ray Bradbury)

A book is a loaded gun in the house next door…Who knows who might be the target of the well-read man?

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Figure of Speech

Figure of Speech Definition

What is a figure of speech? Here’s a quick and simple definition:

A figure of speech is a literary device in which language is used in an unusual—or "figured"—way in order to produce a stylistic effect. Figures of speech can be broken into two main groups: figures of speech that play with the ordinary meaning of words (such as metaphor , simile , and hyperbole ), and figures of speech that play with the ordinary arrangement or pattern in which words are written (such as alliteration , ellipsis , and antithesis ).

Some additional key details about figures of speech:

• The ancient Greeks and Romans exhaustively listed, defined, and categorized figures of speech in order to better understand how to effectively use language. The names of most figures of speech derive from the original Greek or Latin.
• Figures of speech that play with the literal meaning of words are called tropes , while figures of speech that play with the order or pattern of words are called schemes .
• Figures of speech can take many forms. A figure of speech can involve a single word, a phrase, an omission of a word or phrase, a repetition of words or sounds, or specific sentence structures.

Figure of Speech Pronunciation

Here's how to pronounce figure of speech: fig -yer of speech

Figures of Speech vs. Figurative Language

There's a lot of confusion about the difference between the terms "figures of speech" and " figurative language ." Most of the confusion stems from the fact that different people often use "figurative language" to mean slightly different things. The two most common (and most acceptable) definitions of figurative language are:

• Figurative language refers to any language that contains figures of speech. According to this definition, figurative language and figures of speech are not quite the same thing, but it's pretty darn close. The only difference is that figures of speech refer to each specific type of a figure of speech, while figurative language refers more generally to any language that contains any kind of figures of speech.
• Figurative language refers to words or expressions that have non-literal meanings : This definition associates figurative language only with the category of figures of speech called tropes (which are figures of speech that play with the literal meaning of words). So according to this definition, figurative language would be any language that contains tropes, but not language that contains the figures of speech called schemes.

You might encounter people using figurative speech to mean either of the above, and it's not really possible to say which is correct. But if you know about these two different ways of relating figurative language and figures of speech, you'll be in pretty good shape.

Figures of Speech, Tropes, and Schemes

The oldest and still most common way to organize figures of speech is to split them into two main groups: tropes and schemes.

• Tropes are figures of speech that involve a deviation from the expected and literal meaning of words.
• Schemes are figures of speech that involve a deviation from the typical mechanics of a sentence, such as the order, pattern, or arrangement of words.

The scheme/trope classification system is by no means the only way to organize figures of speech (if you're interested, you can find all sorts of different categorization methods for figures of speech here ). But it is the most common method, and is both simple and structured enough to help you understand figures of speech.

Generally, a trope uses comparison, association, or wordplay to play with the literal meaning of words or to layer another meaning on top of a word's literal meaning. Some of the most commonly used tropes are explained briefly below, though you can get even more detail on each from its specific LitCharts entry.

• Metaphor : A metaphor is a figure of speech that makes a comparison between two unrelated things by stating that one thing is another thing, even though this isn't literally true. For example, if someone says "it's raining cats and dogs," this obviously doesn't literally mean what it says—it's a metaphor that makes a comparison between the weight of "cats and dogs" and heavy rain. Metaphors are tropes because their effect relies not on the mechanics of the sentence, but rather on the association created by the use of the phrase "cats and dogs" in a non-literal manner.
• Simile : A simile, like a metaphor, makes a comparison between two unrelated things. However, instead of stating that one thing is another thing (as in metaphor), a simile states that one thing is like another thing. To stick with cats and dogs, an example of a simile would be to say "they fought like cats and dogs."
• Oxymoron : An oxymoron pairs contradictory words in order to express new or complex meanings. In the phrase "parting is such sweet sorrow" from Romeo and Juliet , "sweet sorrow" is an oxymoron that captures the complex and simultaneous feelings of pain and pleasure associated with passionate love. Oxymorons are tropes because their effect comes from a combination of the two words that goes beyond the literal meanings of those words.
• Hyperbole : A hyperbole is an intentional exaggeration of the truth, used to emphasize the importance of something or to create a comic effect. An example of a hyperbole is to say that a backpack "weighs a ton." No backpack literally weighs a ton, but to say "my backpack weighs ten pounds" doesn't effectively communicate how burdensome a heavy backpack feels. Once again, this is a trope because its effect comes from understanding that the words mean something different from what they literally say.

Other Common Tropes

• Antanaclasis
• Onomatopoeia
• Personification
• Periphrasis
• Rhetorical Question

Schemes are mechanical—they're figures of speech that tinker with words, sounds, and structures (as opposed to meanings) in order to achieve an effect. Schemes can themselves be broken down in helpful ways that define the sort of tinkering they employ.

• Repetition: Repeating words, phrases, or even sounds in a particular way.
• Omission: Leaving out certain words or punctuation that would normally be expected.
• Changes of word order: Shifting around words or phrases in atypical ways.
• Balance: Creating sentences or phrases with equal parts, often through the use of identical grammatical structures.

Some of the most commonly used schemes are explained briefly below, though you can get even more detail on each from its specific LitCharts entry.

• Alliteration : In alliteration, the same sound repeats in a group of words, such as the “b” sound in: “ B ob b rought the b ox of b ricks to the b asement.” Alliteration uses repetition to create a musical effect that helps phrases to stand out from the language around them.
• Assonance : A scheme in which vowel sounds repeat in nearby words, such as the "ee" sound in the proverb: "the squ ea ky wh ee l gets the gr ea se." Like alliteration, assonance uses repeated sounds to create a musical effect in which words echo one another—it's a scheme because this effect is achieved through repetition of words with certain sounds, not by playing with the meaning of words.
• Ellipsis : The deliberate omission of one or more words from a sentence because their meaning is already implied. In the example, "Should I call you, or you me?" the second clause uses ellipsis. While its implication is "or should you call me," the context of the sentence allows for the omission of "should" and "call." Ellipsis is a scheme because it involves an uncommon usage of language.
• Parallelism : The repetition of sentence structure for emphasis and balance. This can occur in a single sentence, such as "a penny saved is a penny earned," and it can also occur over the course of a speech, poem, or other text. Parallelism is a scheme because it creates emphasis through the mechanics of sentence structure, rather than by playing with the actual meanings of words.

Other Common Schemes

• Anadiplosis
• Antimetabole
• Brachylogia
• Epanalepsis
• Parenthesis
• Polysyndeton

Figure of Speech Examples

Figures of speech can make language more inventive, more beautiful, more rhythmic, more memorable, and more meaningful. It shouldn't be a surprise, then, that figures of speech are plentiful in all sorts of written language. The examples below show a variety of different types of figures of speech. You can see many more examples of each type at their own specific LitChart entries.

Figures of Speech Examples in Literature

Literature is riddled with figures of speech because figures of speech make language colorful and complex.

Metaphor in Daphne du Maurier's Rebecca

On and on, now east now west, wound the poor thread that once had been our drive. Sometimes I thought it lost, but it appeared again, beneath a fallen tree perhaps, or struggling on the other side of a muddied ditch created by the winter rains.

In this quote from Rebecca , Daphne du Maurier refers to a washed-out road as "the poor thread." This is a metaphor —and a trope—because the writer indirectly compares the thread to the road and expects that readers will understand that "thread" is not used literally.

Parallelism in Charles Dickens' A Tale of Two Cities

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way.

In the famous opening line of A Tale of Two Cities , Dickens uses parallelism —a scheme in which parts of a sentence repeat—in order to emphasize the contradictions of the time in which the book is set. Dickens has manipulated his sentence structure so that the parallel clauses emphasize the oppositional nature of his words ("it was the best of times, it was the worst of times"). The figure of speech doesn't play with the meaning of words, it emphasizes them through structure and repetition, which is why it is a scheme.

Alliteration in Nathaniel Hawthorne's "The Birthmark"

In this manner, s electing it as the s ymbol of his wife's liability to s in, s orrow, d ecay, and d eath, Aylmer's s ombre imagination was not long in rendering the birthmark a frightful object, causing him more trouble and horror than ever Georgiana's beauty, whether of s oul or s ense, had given him delight.

This passage from " The Birthmark " uses alliteration to tie together all of the things that Georgiana's birthmark is supposed to symbolize. By using words that alliterate—"sin and sorrow" and "decay and death," for example—Hawthorne is making the reader feel that these ideas are connected, rather than simply stating that they are connected. Alliteration is a figure of speech—a scheme—because it uses the mechanics of language to emphasize meaning.

Verbal Irony in Shakespeare's Julius Caesar

For Brutus is an honorable man; So are they all, all honorable men,

This quote from Julius Caesar comes from Marc Antony's speech at Caesar's funeral. Antony needs to hold Brutus and his conspirators accountable for Caesar's death without contradicting the crowd's positive impression of Brutus, so Antony uses verbal irony to simultaneously please and trouble the crowd. On the surface, Antony says what the audience wants to hear (that Brutus is honorable), but it becomes clear over the course of his speech that he means the opposite of what he says (and over time he convinces the audience to believe this opposite meaning as well). This is a figure of speech (a trope) because it's based on a play on the meaning of Antony's words.

Figures of Speech Examples in Music

Figures of speech are also common in music. Schemes fit naturally with songs because both schemes and songs manipulate sound and rhythm to enhance the meanings of words. Music also uses many tropes, because using words that have meanings beyond their literal ones makes language more interesting, and it allows songwriters to create music that uses just a few words to imply a complex meaning.

Assonance and Metaphor in Rihanna's "Diamonds"

So sh ine br igh t ton igh t, you and I We're beautiful l i ke d i amonds in the sk y Eye to eye , so al i ve We're beautiful l i ke d i amonds in the sk y

Rihanna uses assonance when she repeats the " eye " sound throughout the chorus of "Diamonds." This make the words echo one another, which emphasizes the similarity between the singer, the person she's talking about, and the "diamonds in the sky" to which she's comparing them both. Assonance is a scheme because it's using the sound of words—not their meaning—to draw a parallel between different things.

Rihanna also uses the phrase "Diamonds in the sky" as a metaphor for stars. This is a trope—a phrase that means something other than what it literally says—as Rihanna obviously doesn't think that there are actually diamonds in the sky. This verse is a good example of how figures of speech can often work together and overlap. In this case, the metaphor that allows her to use "diamonds" instead of "stars" also fits into her use of assonance (because "stars" lacks the "eye" sound).

Personification in Green Day's "Good Riddance"

Another turning point, a fork stuck in the road Time grabs you by the wrist, directs you where to go

While the first line of this song uses "a fork stuck in the road" as a metaphor for a choice, the more arresting figure of speech at work here is the personification of time in the second line. By giving "time" human characteristics—the ability to grab a person and tell them where to go—Green Day is helping listeners to make sense of the power that time has over people. This is a trope because the line doesn't mean what it literally says; instead, it's asking listeners to make a comparison between the characteristics of time and the characteristics of a person.

Anastrophe in Public Enemy's "Fight the Power"

Straight up racist that sucker was Simple and plain

In the line "Straight up racist that sucker was," Public Enemy uses anastrophe (which is the inversion of typical word order) to preserve the rhythm of the verse. Instead of saying "That sucker was straight up racist," Public Enemy chooses an odd phrasing that has one stressed syllable followed by two unstressed syllables— " ra cist that su cker was/ Sim ple and plain ." This way, the beat falls more regularly across those two lines, which allows the rapper to make his point (that Elvis was racist) without the flow sounding awkward. Since anastrophe manipulates the order of words in order to achieve a rhythmic effect, it's a scheme.

Why Do Writers Use Figures of Speech?

Figures of speech is a category that encompasses a broad variety of literary terms, so it's difficult to give one answer to this question. Writers use different figures of speech to achieve different effects.

Schemes (figures of speech that manipulate sound, syntax, and word order) can make language more beautiful, persuasive, or memorable. Writers can use schemes to draw attention to an important passage, to create a sound that mirrors (or contrasts with) the meaning of words, or to give language a rhythm that draws the reader in. As schemes tend to work through sound and rhythm, they generally produce a visceral effect, or an effect felt in the body—broadly speaking, schemes are more sensory than intellectual.

In contrast, writers use tropes to grab the reader intellectually by adding complexity or ambiguity to an otherwise simple word or phrase. Tropes can ask the reader to make a comparison between two unlike things, they can impose human qualities on nonhumans, and they can mean the opposite of what they say. Tropes engage the intellect because the reader has to be alert to the fact that tropes do not use language at face value—a trope never means what it literally says.

All figures of speech help a writer to communicate ideas that are difficult to say in words or that are more effectively communicated non-verbally. This could be by repeating harsh consonants to create a scary atmosphere, or by using a metaphor to impose the qualities of something concrete (say, a rose) onto something more difficult to define (say, love). In general, figures of speech attempt to bring out a reader's emotion and to capture their attention by making language more colorful, surprising, and complex.

Other Helpful Figure of Speech Resources

• Silva Rhetoricae on Figures of Speech : An excellent reference from BYU that explains the various ways that figures of speech have been categorized over history, including into schemes and tropes.
• Silva Rhetoricae on schemes and tropes :
• The Oxford Reference Page for Figure of Speech : A helpful definition of figures of speech in the context of the ancient study of rhetoric (did you know that the Roman rhetorician Quintillian defined "figure of speech" in 95 AD?)
• What Are Tropes in Language? Skip to the "Distinction Between Figures and Tropes" section and read to the end—full of informative and thought-provoking discussion about tropes.
• A YouTube video about tropes and schemes with pop culture examples.

• Alliteration
• Climax (Figure of Speech)
• Figurative Language
• Parallelism
• Verbal Irony
• Pathetic Fallacy
• Dramatic Irony
• Round Character
• Dynamic Character
• Rhyme Scheme
• External Conflict
• Internal Rhyme
• Rising Action

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• Figures of Speech
• Definition & Examples
• When & How to Use Figures of Speech

I. What are Figures of Speech?

A figure of speech is a word or phrase using figurative language—language that has other meaning than its normal definition. In other words, figures of speeches rely on implied or suggested meaning, rather than a dictionary definition.  We express and develop them through hundreds of different rhetorical techniques, from specific types like metaphors and similes , to more general forms like sarcasm and slang.

Figures of speech make up a huge portion of the English language, making it more creative, more expressive, and just more interesting! Many have been around for hundreds of years—some even thousands—and more are added to our language essentially every day. This article will focus on a few key forms of figures of speech, but remember, the types are nearly endless!

III. Types of Figure of Speech

There are countless figures of speech in every language, and they fall into hundreds of categories. Here, though, is a short list of some of the most common types of figure of speech:

A. Metaphor

Many common figures of speech are metaphors. That is, they use words in a manner other than their literal meaning. However, metaphors use figurative language to make comparisons between unrelated things or ideas. The “peak of her career,” for example, is a metaphor, since a career is not a literal mountain with a peak , but the metaphor represents the idea of arriving at the highest point of one’s career.

An idiom is a common phrase with a figurative meaning. Idioms are different from other figures of speech in that their figurative meanings are mostly known within a particular language, culture, or group of people. In fact, the English language alone has about 25,000 idioms. Some examples include “it’s raining cats and dogs” when it is raining hard, or “break a leg” when wishing someone good luck.

This sentence uses an idiom to make it more interesting:

There’s a supermarket and a pharmacy in the mall, so if we go there, we can kill two birds with one stone.

The idiom is a common way of saying that two tasks can be completed in the same amount of time or same place.

A proverb is a short, commonplace saying that is universally understood in today’s language and used to express general truths. “Don’t cry over spilt milk” is a popular example. Most proverbs employ metaphors (e.g. the proverb about milk isn’t  literally  about milk).

This example uses a proverb to emphasize the situation:

I know you think you’re going to sell all of those cookies, but don’t count your chickens before they hatch!

Here, “don’t count your chickens before they hatch” means that you shouldn’t act like something has happened before it actually does.

A simile is a very common figure of speech that uses the words “like” and “as” to compare two things that are not related by definition. For example, “he is as tall as a mountain,” doesn’t mean he was actually 1,000 feet tall, it just means he was really tall.

This example uses a simile for comparison:

The internet is like a window to the world —you can learn about everything online!

The common phrase “window to the world” refers to a hypothetical window that lets you see the whole world from it. So, saying the internet is like a window to the world implies that it lets you see anything and everything.

E. Oxymoron

An oxymoron is when you use two words together that have contradictory meanings. Some common examples include s mall crowd, definitely possible, old news, little giant , and so on.

A metonym is a word or phrase that is used to represent something related to bigger meaning. For example, fleets are sometimes described as being “thirty sails strong,” meaning thirty (curiously, this metonym survives in some places, even when the ships in question are not sail-powered!) Similarly, the crew on board those ships may be described as “hands” rather than people.

Irony is when a word or phrase’s literal meaning is the opposite of its figurative meaning. Many times (but not always), irony is expressed with sarcasm (see Related Terms). For example, maybe you eat a really bad cookie, and then say “Wow, that was the best cookie I ever had”—of course, what you really mean is that it’s the worst cookie you ever had, but being ironic actually emphasizes just how bad it was!

IV. The Importance of Figures of Speech

In general, the purpose of a figure of speech is to lend texture and color to your writing. (This is itself a figure of speech, since figures of speech don’t actually change the colors or textures on the page!) For instance, metaphors allow you to add key details that make the writing more lively and relatable. Slang and verbal irony, on the other hand, make the writing seem much more informal and youthful (although they can have the opposite effect when misused!) Finally, other figures of speech, like idioms and proverbs, allows a writer to draw on a rich cultural tradition and express complex ideas in a short space.

V. Examples of Figures of Speech in Literature

“All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players. They have their exits and their entrances, and one man in his time plays many parts.” (William Shakespeare, As You Like It)

This is one of the most famous metaphors ever crafted in the English language. Shakespeare uses his extended metaphor to persuade the audience of the similarities between the stage and real life. But rather than making his play seem more like life, he suggests that life is more like a play. His metaphor calls attention to the performative, creative, and fictional aspects of human life.

“Our words are b ut crumbs that fall down from the feast o f the mind.” (Khalil Gibran, Sand & Foam )

Gibran’s timeless metaphor succeeds for a number of reasons. For one thing, it is not a cliché – had Gibran said “words are just the tip of the iceberg ,” he would have been making roughly the same point, but in a much more clichéd way. But the feast of the mind is a highly original metaphor. In addition, it’s a successful double metaphor. The crumbs and the feast are two parts of the same image, but they work together rather than being “mixed” (see How to Use Figures of Speech ).

“If you chase two rabbits, you will lose them both.” (Russian Proverb)

Like many proverbs, this one draws on a simple metaphor of chasing rabbits. The rabbits can stand in for all sorts of objectives, from jobs to relationships, but the coded message is quite clear – focus your energy on a single objective, or you will likely fail. This literal statement, though, is quite dry and not terribly memorable, which shows the power of figures of speech.

VI. Examples of Figures of Speech in Pop Culture

The chorus to Sean Kingston’s Fire Burning contains a couple of figures of speech. First of all, there’s the word “shorty” used as a slang term (see Related Terms ) for a young woman. She may or may not be literally short, but the figure of speech applies either way (though it could easily be taken as belittling and derogatory). Second, Kingston sings the metaphor: “she’s fire, burning on the dance floor.” Hopefully this is a figure of speech and not a literal statement; otherwise, Kingston and everyone else in the club are in mortal danger!

“Oh, thanks! This is much better!” (Townspeople, South Park )

This is an example of irony. In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, South Park satirized the government’s response to the disaster by writing about a similar disaster in South Park. In a bumbling effort to rescue people from the floods, the authorities accidentally spill oil on the flood waters and set it on fire, making the situation far more dangerous. In response, they ironically “thank” the people responsible—their meaning is obviously the opposite of their words!

Years of talks between Washington and Havana resulted in Obama’s historic visit to Cuba on March 21st. (Patreon 2016)

This is a common form of metonym in foreign policy and news media. The capital city of a country is used as a metonym for the national government. The talks, of course, are not literally between these two cities, but between the leaders and government officials of the two countries (US and Cuba).

VII. Related Terms

Literal and figurative language.

Language is generally divided into two categories: literal, and figurative. Literal language relies on the real definition of words and phrases, or their literal meanings. Figurative language, on the other hand, relies on implied meanings, which can be understood differently depending on the location or who is using it. For example, “the sky is blue” relies on the literal definition of the word “blue,” while “I am feeling blue” relies on the figurative definition. All figures of speech rely on the use of figurative language for their meaning.

Sarcasm is mocking or bitter language that we use to express different meaning than what we say; often the exact opposite. When your intended meaning is the opposite of the literal meaning, that’s irony (another type of figure of speech), which includes common phrases like “Oh, great…” when you really mean something is bad.

Slang is language that uses atypical words and phrases to express specific meanings. It varies greatly by region, demographic, and language—for example, you would find different slang in the U.S. and in the U.K. even though they are both English speaking countries. Likewise, teenagers and the elderly will use different slang terms, as would Spanish and English. Many slang terms are figures of speech. For example, “bro” could be used to describe a friend rather than an actual brother; this would be using the word as a figure of speech.

List of Terms

• Alliteration
• Amplification
• Anachronism
• Anthropomorphism
• Antonomasia
• APA Citation
• Aposiopesis
• Autobiography
• Bildungsroman
• Characterization
• Circumlocution
• Cliffhanger
• Comic Relief
• Connotation
• Deus ex machina
• Deuteragonist
• Doppelganger
• Double Entendre
• Dramatic irony
• Equivocation
• Extended Metaphor
• Flash-forward
• Foreshadowing
• Intertextuality
• Juxtaposition
• Literary Device
• Malapropism
• Onomatopoeia
• Parallelism
• Pathetic Fallacy
• Personification
• Point of View
• Polysyndeton
• Protagonist
• Red Herring
• Rhetorical Device
• Rhetorical Question
• Science Fiction
• Self-Fulfilling Prophecy
• Synesthesia
• Turning Point
• Understatement
• Urban Legend
• Verisimilitude
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Figure of Speech

What is a figure of speech.

• Jack has a few skeletons in the cupboard .
• You are driving me up the wall .

The Seven Most Common Figures of Speech

Table of Contents

Examples of Figures of Speech

Metaphors used as figures of speech, similes used as figures of speech, personification used as figures of speech, hyperbole used as figures of speech, idioms used as figures of speech, euphemisms used as figures of speech, metonyms used as figures of speech, a broader definition of figure of speech, why figures of speech are important.

• This bedroom is a prison.
• He's a real gannet.
• He listened with a stone face.
• We don't need dinosaurs in this company.
• He eats like a gannet.
• This sandwich tastes like sawdust between two doormats.
• She sings like an angel.
• It's like water off a duck's back.
• The tide waits for no man.
• My car tends to give up on long hills.
• Summer's healing rays
• I have a million problems.
• We won a tonne of cash.
• I'll die if I don't finish this crossword.
• Be careful not to miss the boat.
• This is the last straw.
• You can't pull the wool over my eyes.
• Don't sit on the fence. Say what you mean.
• kicked the bucket = has died
• knocked up = is pregnant
• letting you go = you're fired
• lost his marbles = is mad
• Tongue = language
• Sweat = hard work.
• Capitol Hill = American seat of government
• took to the bottle = took to alcohol
• my word = my promise
• a suit = business executive, a lawyer (typically)
• Figure of speech: the use of words in an unusual or imaginative manner.

Alliteration

• The plate was filled with b eautiful b uns b ursting with b erries.
• The squ ea ky wh ee l gets the gr ea se.
• I will pi ck or cra ck the lo ck .

Logosglyphs

• She had eyes like pools .

Onomatopoeia

• The NASA humans-to-Mars program is all sizzle and no steak.
• During interphase, the protein binds to DNA with its elbow and then digs in with its fingers during mitosis. (Professor Leonie Ringrose)
• Team, we must throw a party in our guests' mouths. Got it? Yes, chef. Yes, chef. Yes, chef. Yes, Geoff. Did someone just call me Geoff? (Comedian Chris Wells)
• Use a figure of speech to express an idea more clearly or more interestingly.

This page was written by Craig Shrives .

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25 Important Figures of Speech with Easy Examples

You may well have heard of the term a figure of speech but what exactly does this refer to? We are going to look into what a figure of speech is and how it can be used. We will also look in-depth at some examples of figures of speech and explain what they mean.

Figures of speech are an essential aspect of language and communication, serving as creative tools that generate specific effects and enhance the impact of a message. They can be found in everyday language as well as in literature, ranging from oral storytelling to polished poetry and prose. Intentional deviations from literal statements or common usage, these expressions emphasize, clarify, and embellish language to make it more engaging and expressive.

What Is A F igure of Speech?

Figure of speech definition.

A figure of speech is something that is used to convey a more deep or intense meaning. It is a phrase made up of two or more words that can add effect to the meaning of something and is used in a non-literal sense. When using literal speech, the words and sentences explain what is happening literally, or in other words, what is happening in reality. When we use a figure of speech to explain a situation, the words and sentences become nonliteral and do not convey what is actually happening but rather give a feeling as to what is happening.

An example to show the comparison between literal speech and a figure of speech would be:

• Literal – it is raining heavily.
• Figure of speech – it is raining cats and dogs .

Whilst we know that it is not literally raining cats and dogs, the figure of speech adds intensity to the meaning of the sentence and puts an emphasis on how much it is raining.

A figure of speech is a word or phrase which is used to describe something in a non-literal sense. These can be used as a literary device within a written text in order to explain something in a more artistic sense or they can be used in English speaking. In the latter, they are usually used to compare something, give advice or create a less literal description of something.

When used as a rhetorical device a figure of speech will give an opposite or different meaning to what is intended. It can also be used to convey a meaning or trigger emotion to the reader or listener.

Figures of Speech Examples

There are various different types of figures of speech, whilst there are a large amount of types, there are ten more common ones which we see in both written and spoken English. They are:

• Simile : this makes a comparison between two things using the words like or as, for example ‘she shone as bright as the sun.’
• Metaphor : makes a comparison between two things which have something in common, for example ‘the eyes are the window to the soul.’
• Hyperbole : uses an exaggeration to convey a more profound meaning, for example ‘I have a thousand things to do this morning.’
• Oxymoron : uses a two-word phrase where the words contradict one another to give a positive meaning, for example ‘she is pretty ugly.’
• Pun : a play on words, for example, ‘a boiled egg for breakfast is hard to beat.’
• Alliteration : uses repeated letter sounds throughout a sentence, for example ‘the high horse hopped along the highway.’
• Onomatopoeia : these are words that resemble the sound they are describing, for example ‘the car alarm went beep.’
• Irony : the use of language which is the opposite of what is meant, for example, ‘I love it when I drop my phone, how wonderful.’
• Anaphora : the repetition of a word or phrase for rhythmic effect, for example ‘you must not stop, you must not wane, you must not fail.’
• Antithesis : this makes a comparison or connection between two ideas in a sentence, for example ‘that is one small step for man and one giant leap for mankind.’

Types of Figures of Speech

There are different types of figures of speech and we are now going to look at those types, what they are and how to use them by looking at some examples of them being used in sentences.

Metaphor is when there is a comparison made between two different things which share something in common. Here are some examples of metaphor in use.

• The world is your oyster.
• She was the shining star of the talent show.
• His eyes were ice.

Simile is a phrase that compares something to something else using the words like or as. Here are some examples of simile in use.

• Her hair was as golden as the sun
• The dog is as fit as a fiddle.
• I felt as high as a kite.

Hyperbole is a term that uses exaggeration to add a more dramatic meaning to the sentence. Here are some examples of hyperbole in use.

• My bag weighs a tonne.
• His nose is the length of the river Nile.
• I have a million things to do today.

Irony is a statement that conveys the exact opposite meaning of what is literally being said. It is also a statement that contradicts the situation. Here are some examples of irony in use.

• The fire station burnt to the ground.
• The pilot had a fear of flying.
• ‘What lovely weather.’ she said when it was raining

Alliteration

Alliteration is when there is a repetition of sound within a phrase or sentence. Here are some examples of alliteration in use.

• She sells seashells on the seashore
• Peter piper picked a peck of pickled pepper
• The dog dug deeper into the depths.
• Nicky’s necklace nipped at her neck.

Anaphora is when a word is repeated multiple times within a phrase. Here are some examples of anaphora in use.

• Every morning, every afternoon and every evening I walk by the lake.
• He had one apple, one banana and one pear.
• My life is happy, my life is simple, my life is complete.

Antithesis is applying a juxtaposition of ideas which are contrasting in a statement that is balanced. Here are some examples of antithesis in use.

• Man proposes and God deposes.
• Love is an ideal thing and marriage is a real thing.
• That is one small step for man and one huge leap for mankind.

Apostrophe is speaking to an object or item that is not alive as if it were in fact, alive. Here are some examples of apostrophe is use.

• Oh come on you stupid door, just unlock.
• Thank you oven, for helping me make this meal.
• Come on trousers, you have to fit me.

Assonance is the similarity in sound between vowels in the middle of neighboring words. Here are some examples of assonance in use.

• How now, brown cow.
• On the side of the hide.
• Top of the pop

Chiasmus is when two sentences are balanced against one another but with the words reversed. Here are some examples of chiasmus in use.

• Work to live and do not live to work.
• She went to town, off to town went she.
• You forget what you want to remember yet you remember what you want to forget

Euphemism is the replacement of a phrase that might be deemed offensive by one which implies the same meaning but does not carry offense with it. Here are some examples of euphemisms in use.

• Instead of ‘he died’ you would say ‘he passed away.’
• Instead of ‘she had an abortion’ you would say ‘she terminated the pregnancy.’
• Instead of ‘going for a poo’ you would say ‘going to use the bathroom.’

Litotes is an understatement that applies a negative to express the meaning of the affirmative. Here are some examples of litotes in use.

• She isn’t the friendliest woman in the world.
• I wasn’t unhappy with the gift
• That dress is not too bad

Metonymy is when a phrase is replaced with another which has a similar meaning, used to describe something in an indirect manner. Here are some examples of metonymy in use.

• The pen is more mighty than the sword.
• I remain loyal to the crown.
• My husband is considered a silver fox.

Onomatopoeia

Onomatopoeia is a word that resembles the sound it is describing. Here are some examples of onomatopoeia in use.

• The bacon sizzled in the pan.
• My watch ticks loudly.
• The crow cawed overhead.

Oxymoron is when two words in a phrase contradict one another. Here are some examples of oxymoron in use.

• The girl next door is pretty ugly.
• That cat is mighty small.
• Our farewell was bittersweet.

Paradox is a statement that contradicts itself. Here are some examples of paradoxes in use.

• He is a wise fool.
• Deep down Anna is really shallow.
• It is the beginning of the end.

Personification

Personification is when an object which is not alive is given human qualities. Here are some examples of personification in use.

• My car is a real beauty.
• That rod will take out someone’s eye.
• My alarm clock screams at me every morning.

A pun is a play on words, it uses a word to give a different sense to the sentence and add a double meaning. Here are some examples of puns in use.

• The two guitarists got on well as they were always in a chord.
• I spend a lot of time doing DIY so I know the drill.
• An egg for breakfast is not easy to beat.

Synecdoche is a statement in which only part of something is expressed to relate to the whole. Here are some examples of synecdoche in use.

• At school, the children learn ABCs and 123s
• He has just got some new wheels.
• There were many hired hands in the factory.

Understatement

An understatement is a statement that is made to be less important than what is actually being conveyed. Here are some examples of understatement in use.

• The grand canyon is a hole in the ground.
• I only have two million dollars.
• There was a flood in the town, it must have rained a bit in the night.

An epigram is a concise and witty statement that conveys a thought or observation. Typically, it is used to challenge or entertain the reader. Epigrams may be poetic or prose statements, but they usually exhibit a rhythmic, memorable quality.

Example : “I can resist everything except temptation.” – Oscar Wilde

Ellipsis refers to the deliberate omission of words or phrases, typically for the sake of conciseness or to create an effect. It allows the reader to fill in the gaps, which can create suspense or build emphasis.

Example : “The thief was bold, cunning, ruthless…”; in this case, the reader can imagine other adjectives describing the thief.

Antanaclasis

Antanaclasis is a figure of speech in which a word is repeated within the same sentence or clause, but with a different or opposing meaning each time. It serves to create emphasis on a particular point and often adds a playful or humorous tone to the writing.

Example : “Your argument is sound…all sound!” – Benjamin Franklin

Anthimeria is the use of a word outside of its traditional grammatical role, often for stylistic or creative purposes. It typically involves using a noun as a verb or vice versa.

Example : “I could use a good sleep.”; in this case, the word “sleep” (a noun) is used as a verb.

Rhetorical Question

A rhetorical question is a question asked to make a point, provoke thought, or create emphasis, rather than to elicit a direct response. The answer is usually self-evident, and the question serves to emphasize the intended message.

Example : “Is the Pope Catholic?”; the answer is obvious, but the question drives home a point.

Figures of Speech Infographic

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FAQs on Figures of Speech

What is a figure of speech?

A figure of speech is a creative use of language that intentionally deviates from the literal meaning or common usage of words to generate an effect. These are found in everyday spoken language as well as in polished poetry, prose, and other types of written work.

What are some common figures of speech?

Some common figures of speech include:

• Metaphor: a comparison between two unlike things without using “like” or “as”
• Simile: a comparison between two unlike things using “like” or “as”
• Personification: attributing human characteristics to non-human entities
• Hyperbole: exaggeration for effect
• Irony: a statement implying its opposite for effect

What is the difference between figures of speech and figurative language?

Figurative language is a broader term that encompasses various types of non-literal language use, including figures of speech. Figures of speech are specific instances of figurative language that rely on creative and intentional deviations from the literal meanings of words or phrases.

How do I use figures of speech effectively in my writing?

To effectively use figures of speech in your writing, consider the following tips:

• Know your audience: tailor your use of figures of speech to the expected readership
• Practice: develop a feel for when and how to use figures of speech through reading, writing, and analyzing various forms of literature
• Be intentional: use figures of speech purposefully and with clear intent to generate the desired effect
• Don’t overuse: too many figures of speech may distract from your message or make your writing appear forced or contrived

Are figures of speech only used in creative writing or can they be used in other types of writing?

While figures of speech are often associated with creative writing, they can also be used effectively in other types of writing, such as persuasive essays, blog articles, and even business communications. The key is to use them judiciously, ensuring that the figure of speech serves a clear purpose and strengthens the overall message of the text.

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• English Grammar
• Figures Of Speech

Figures of Speech - Definition, Types and Usage with Examples

Are you as busy as a bee? Why not take some time off your busy schedule to learn how you can make your speech and writing sound and look extraordinary and engaging? There are many ways to make your language creative and interesting. One of the most effective ways to do it is to use figurative language. In this article, you will be introduced to what figures of speech are, their meaning and definition, the different types of figures of speech and how to use them effectively in sentences with examples.

Table of Contents

Definition of a Figure of Speech

Classification of figures of speech.

• How to Use a Figure of Speech in a Sentence? – Points to Remember

Examples of Figures of Speech

Frequently asked questions on figures of speech in english, what irs a figure of speech.

A figure of speech is an expression used to make a greater effect on your reader or listener. It includes making comparisons, contrasts, associations, exaggerations and constructions. It also gives a much clearer picture of what you are trying to convey.

Let us take a look at how different dictionaries define a figure of speech to have a much better idea of what it is.

A figure of speech, according to the Oxford Learner’s Dictionary, is defined as “a word or phrase used in a different way from its usual meaning in order to create a particular mental picture or effect.” The Cambridge Dictionary defines a figure of speech as “an expression that uses words to mean something different from their ordinary meaning.” According to the Collins Dictionary, a figure of speech is “an expression or word that is used with a metaphorical rather than a literal meaning.”

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines a figure of speech as “ a form of expression (such as a simile or metaphor) used to convey meaning or heighten effect often by comparing or identifying one thing with another that has a meaning or connotation familiar to the reader or listener.” According to the Macmillan Dictionary, a figure of speech is defined as “an expression in which the words are used figuratively, not in their normal literal meaning.”

Figures of Speech in English Grammar

In English grammar , there are around fifteen to twenty figures of speech. However, there are a few of them which are used more often than the others. Let us look at the most commonly used figures of speech.

• Personification
• Alliteration
• Transferred Epithet

How to Use a Figure of Speech in English? – Points to Remember

You now know that a figure of speech can make your language look and sound a lot more poetical, interesting and flamboyant. However, the challenge is not about learning the different figures of speech but knowing when, where and how to use them. You cannot use it anywhere you like. Only if it is used right and where they are appropriate and necessary, will it make your language better.

Figures of speech are not meant to provide information literally, so it is not suggested that you use figurative language in professional presentations and writings like essays. Since they do not convey literal meanings, it is very important that you learn how each figure of speech can be used. What is more important is knowing what it would mean when used in a particular part of a sentence. So, the most significant point that you have to keep in mind when using figures of speech is to employ them only if they give you the desired effect and meaning.

The figures of speech can be categorized into types based on their functions when used in sentences. Accordingly, the main categories are composed of ones that:

• Show a Relationship or Resemblance
• Show Phonetic Resemblances and Representing Sounds
• Show Emphasis or Unimportance

Showing a Relationship or Resemblance

This category includes figures of speech which are designed to make comparisons to show a relationship or some resemblances. Similes, metaphors, personification, euphemism, metonymy and synecdoche are the figures of speech used for this purpose.

Showing Phonetic Resemblances and Representing Sounds

This category of figures of speech include alliteration, assonance and onomatopoeia. The first two figures of speech are used to create an effect by using similar sounding words or words starting with the same consonant and vowel sounds, whereas onomatopoeia includes words that are used to represent sounds.

Showing Emphasis or Unimportance

The figures of speech belonging to this category are used to provide emphasis or show how important or unimportant something is. Hyperbole, antithesis, oxymoron, irony and litotes are figures of speech that can be used for this purpose.

Here are a few examples of the different figures of speech in English grammar.

• Simile – Rachel is as bright as the sun.
• Metaphor – The whole world is a stage.
• Personification – The wind whispered in my ears.
• Apostrophe – O William, you should be living now to see all this.
• Alliteration – Sally sold some seashells.
• Assonance – I seem to like your little green trees.
• Hyperbole – I am so hungry I could eat a horse.
• Oxymoron – Euthanizing their sick pet dog was considered as an act of kind cruelty.
• Epigram – The child is the father of man.
• Irony – A fire station burned down yesterday.
• Pun – Life depends upon the liver.
• Metonymy – The Bench decided that the man is guilty.
• Synecdoche – We need more hands to help us move this cupboard.
• Transferred Epithet – She had a sleepless night.

What is a figure of speech?

What is the definition of a figure of speech.

A figure of speech, according to the Oxford Learner’s Dictionary, is defined as “a word or phrase used in a different way from its usual meaning in order to create a particular mental picture or effect.” The Cambridge Dictionary defines a figure of speech as “an expression that uses words to mean something different from their ordinary meaning.” According to the Collins Dictionary, a figure of speech is “an expression or word that is used with a metaphorical rather than a literal meaning.” The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines a figure of speech as “ a form of expression (such as a simile or metaphor) used to convey meaning or heighten effect often by comparing or identifying one thing with another that has a meaning or connotation familiar to the reader or listener.” According to the Macmillan Dictionary, a figure of speech is defined as “an expression in which the words are used figuratively, not in their normal literal meaning.”

What are the different figures of speech in English?

Here is a list of the different figures of speech in English.

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• Introduction

Common figures of speech and their use

• The five major categories
• Figures of speech in non-Western languages

figure of speech

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• Academia - Figures of Speech
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• Table Of Contents

figure of speech , any intentional deviation from literal statement or common usage that emphasizes, clarifies, or embellishes both written and spoken language . Forming an integral part of language, figures of speech are found in oral literatures as well as in polished poetry and prose and in everyday speech. Greeting-card rhymes, advertising slogans, newspaper headlines, the captions of cartoons, and the mottoes of families and institutions often use figures of speech, generally for humorous, mnemonic , or eye-catching purposes. The argots of sports , jazz , journalism, business, politics, or any specialized groups abound in figurative language.

Most figures in everyday speech are formed by extending the vocabulary of what is already familiar and better known to what is less well known. Thus metaphors (implied resemblances) derived from human physiology are commonly extended to nature or inanimate objects as in the expressions “the mouth of a river,” “the snout of a glacier,” “the bowels of the earth,” or “the eye of a needle.” Conversely, resemblances to natural phenomena are frequently applied to other areas, as in the expressions “a wave of enthusiasm,” “a ripple of excitement,” or “a storm of abuse.” Use of simile (a comparison, usually indicated by “like” or “as”) is exemplified in “We were packed in the room like sardines” or “He is as slow as molasses.” Personification (speaking of an abstract quality or inanimate object as if it were a person) is exemplified in “Money talks”; metonymy (using the name of one thing for another closely related to it), in “The power of the crown was mortally weakened,” where “crown” means “king” or “queen”); synecdoche (use of a part to imply the whole), in expressions such as “brass” for high-ranking military officers or “hard hats” for construction workers.

Other common forms of figurative speech are hyperbole (deliberate exaggeration for the sake of effect), as in “I’m so mad I could chew nails”; the rhetorical question (asked for effect, with no answer expected), as in “How can I express my thanks to you?”; litotes (conscious understatement in which emphasis is achieved by negation), as in “It’s no fun to be sick”; and onomatopoeia (imitation of natural sounds by words), in such words as “crunch,” “gurgle,” “plunk,” and “splash.”

Almost all the figures of speech that appear in everyday speech may also be found in literature . In serious poetry and prose, however, their use is more fully conscious, more artistic, and much more subtle; it thus has a stronger intellectual and emotional impact, is more memorable, and sometimes contributes a range and depth of association and suggestion far beyond the scope of the casual colloquial use of imagery. The Old and New Testaments of the Bible—an example of a work rich in simile , metaphor , personification, and parallelism (which is often used in Hebrew poetry)—is an important literary influence.

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Top 20 Figures of Speech with Definitions and Examples

As an English learner, you probably would have heard of metaphor, personification, or simile. These are the most common types of figures of speech in English. Figures of speech play a significant role in English speaking and writing . You don’t necessarily use all types of figures of speech on a daily basis, but they act as a powerful tool in writing. In this article, we’ll go over the top 20 figures of speech that you need to know to improve your overall English language skills.

What is a Figure of Speech?

A figure of speech is a way of using language that goes beyond its literal meaning to convey a more vivid or imaginative expression. It involves the use of words or phrases in a non-literal sense to create a specific effect or emphasize a point. Figures of speech add color, creativity, and depth to language, making communication more interesting and engaging.

Importance of Figures of Speech

Figures of speech make language more interesting and expressive. They help convey emotions, create mental images, and emphasize ideas. By using metaphors, similes, and other figures of speech, speakers and writers can make their communication more vivid and memorable. These tools also add creativity to literature, contribute to cultural expressions, and play a role in humor. Overall, figures of speech enhance communication by making it more engaging, impactful, and versatile.

List of 20 Figures of Speech with Definitions and Examples

A simile is a figure of speech that compares two different things using the words “like” or “as” to highlight a shared characteristic. It helps create vivid and imaginative descriptions.

Example: As brave as a lion.

Explanation: Emphasizes the person’s courage by likening it to the well-known bravery of a lion.

2. Metaphor

A metaphor is a figure of speech that implies a comparison between two unrelated things, suggesting that they share common characteristics without using “like” or “as.” It is a way of describing one thing as if it were another to create a deeper understanding or evoke a specific image.

Example: Time is a thief.

Explanation: Time is compared to a thief to convey the idea that it steals moments or experiences.

3. Personification

Personification is a figure of speech in which human attributes or qualities are given to non-human entities or objects. It involves treating something non-human as if it has human-like characteristics.

Example: The wind whispered through the trees.

Explanation: Personifies the wind by attributing the human quality of whispering to it.

4. Hyperbole

A hyperbole is a figure of speech that involves exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally. It is used to emphasize a point, create emphasis, or add dramatic effect.

Example: I’ve told you a million times to clean your room

Explanation: The exaggeration of a million times emphasizes the speaker’s frustration or annoyance. The person didn’t actually say it a million times.

5. Alliteration

Alliteration is a series of words in a sentence or phrase that share the same initial consonant sound. It is often used to create rhythm, emphasize a particular sound, or make language more memorable.

Example: Sally sells seashells by the seashore

Explanation: The repetition of the “s” sound adds a musical quality to the sentence.

6. Assonance

Assonance is where the repetition of vowel sounds occurs within nearby words in a sentence or phrase. It is used for musicality, emphasis, or to create a specific mood.

Example: Hear the mellow wedding bells

Explanation: The repetition of the long “e” sound enhances the melodic quality of the expression.

Irony is a discrepancy between what is said and what is meant, or between appearances and reality. It often involves a twist or contradiction that may be humorous, thought-provoking, or even tragic. An example of irony is situational irony, where a fire station burns down; this situation is ironic because a place dedicated to preventing fires becomes the victim of one.

8. Oxymoron

An oxymoron combines contradictory or opposing words to create a paradoxical effect. It is used to convey complexity, irony, or a unique perspective.

Example: jumbo shrimp

Explanation: The juxtaposition of “jumbo” and “shrimp” creates a contrasting and somewhat humorous image.

9. Onomatopoeia

Onomatopoeia is a figure of speech where words imitate the natural sounds associated with the objects or actions they refer to. These words are often used to evoke a sensory experience and bring a vivid quality to language.

Example: buzz

Explanation: The word itself imitates the sound of a buzzing bee.

10. Euphemism

A euphemism is a mild or indirect expression used to replace a harsh or blunt phrase that might be considered impolite, offensive, or too direct. It is often employed to soften the impact of sensitive or uncomfortable topics.

Example: Using “passed away” instead of “died” to refer to someone’s death

Explanation: “Passed away” is considered more gentle and considerate than “died.”

As a figure of speech, a cliché refers to an expression, idea, or phrase that has been so overused that it has lost its originality and impact. It involves using a predictable or stereotyped phrase that may lack creativity.

Example: Saying “quiet as a mouse” to describe silence is a cliché

Explanation: The phrase is often used and has become a common expression.

12. Allusion

An allusion involves referencing a well-known person, place, event, or work of art within a conversation, text, or speech. It allows the speaker or writer to convey complex ideas or emotions by drawing on the associations and meanings attached to the referenced element.

Example: Saying someone has “the Midas touch.”

Explanation: It is an allusion to the mythical King Midas, known for turning everything he touched into gold, suggesting a person’s ability to turn things successful or prosperous.

13. Anaphora

Anaphora is a figure of speech where a word or phrase is repeated at the beginning of successive clauses or sentences. It is used for emphasis, rhythm, and to create a powerful impact.

Example: Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech

Explanation: He repeatedly begins sentences with “I have a dream” to highlight and reinforce his vision for a better future.

14. Chiasmus

Chiasmus is a figure of speech where the order of words or phrases in one clause is reversed in the following clause. This creates a balanced and often symmetrical structure, adding emphasis and style to the expression.

Example: Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.

Explanation: The order of the terms is reversed in the second part, creating a memorable and impactful rhetorical structure.

15. Litotes

Litotes is a figure of speech that uses double negatives or understatement to emphasize an idea by negating its opposite.

Example: Not bad

Explanation: Conveys that something is good but in a subtle or understated manner.

16. Paradox

A paradox is a statement or situation that appears self-contradictory or absurd, but in reality, it illustrates a deeper truth or logic, often highlighting the complexities and nuances of a concept.

Example: Less is more

Explanation: The apparent contradiction suggests that simplicity or having less can sometimes be more effective or valuable.

17. Epistrophe

Epistrophe is a figure of speech where a word or phrase is repeated at the end of successive clauses or sentences. It is used to create emphasis, rhythmic effect, and a memorable expression.

Example: Abraham Lincoln’s “Gettysburg Address”

Explanation: “…and that government of the people, by the people, for the people…” The repetition of “people” occurs at the end of each phrase for emphasis.

18. Synecdoche

Synecdoche is a figure of speech in which a part of something is used to represent the whole, or vice versa. It involves substituting a specific attribute or component for the entire entity.

Example: All hands on deck

Explanation: This means that everyone (the hands) is needed to help, representing the entire person.

19. Antithesis

Antithesis is a figure of speech that involves the juxtaposition of contrasting ideas or words within parallel grammatical structures. It is used to emphasize the stark contrast between two opposing elements.

Example: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times” from Charles Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities

Explanation: The contrasting ideas of “best” and “worst” highlight the dual nature of the time period described.

20. Apostrophe

Apostrophe, as a figure of speech, is when a speaker addresses an absent or imaginary person, a non-living object, or an abstract concept as if it were present and capable of responding. It often involves a strong emotional expression.

Example: Shakespeare’s “Julius Caesar” when Mark Antony says, “O, pardon me, thou bleeding piece of earth,”

Explanation: Addresses the lifeless body of Caesar as if it could hear and respond.

FAQs About Figures of Speech

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about figures of speech in English.

What are the 12 main figures of speech?

The 12 main figures of speech include simile, metaphor, personification, hyperbole, onomatopoeia, alliteration, assonance, euphemism, oxymoron, allusion, chiasmus, and litotes.

What are the 10 types of figure of speech and their meaning?

The 10 types of figures of speech and their meanings are:

• Simile: Comparing two unlike things using “like” or “as.”
• Metaphor: Implies a resemblance between unrelated things without using “like” or “as.”
• Personification: Giving human characteristics to non-human entities.
• Hyperbole: Exaggerating statements for emphasis or effect.
• Onomatopoeia: Words imitating natural sounds.
• Alliteration: Repetition of initial consonant sounds in nearby words.
• Assonance: Repetition of vowel sounds within nearby words.
• Euphemism: Substituting a milder or indirect expression for a harsh or blunt one.
• Oxymoron: Combining contradictory terms to create a paradoxical effect.
• Allusion: Referencing a well-known person, place, event, or work of art.

What are 5 examples of personification?

Here are 5 examples of personification:

• The sun smiled down on the beach.
• The wind whispered through the trees.
• Time flies when you’re having fun.
• The flowers danced in the breeze.
• The alarm clock screamed at me to wake up.

How many figures of speech are there in total?

According to Professor Rober Diyanni, “rhetoricians have catalogues more than 250 different figures of speech.” However, there are mainly 10-20 figures of speech there are commonly used.

Is my shoes are killing me a hyperbole?

“My shoes are killing me” is hyperbole because it is an exaggerated statement meant to convey extreme discomfort, not to be taken literally.

What are some examples of hyperbole?

Here are 5 examples of hyperbole:

• I have a million things to do.
• It’s raining cats and dogs.
• This suitcase weighs a ton.
• I’m so hungry I could eat a horse.
• The queue at the amusement park is a mile long.

Is idiom a figure of speech?

Yes, an idiom is a type of figure of speech. Idioms are expressions whose meanings cannot be inferred from the literal interpretation of their individual words.

More English Resources

If you want to learn more about the English language, check out the following topics.

• Choose your Own Adventure ESL Writing Activity
• Sequence Words: Meaning and Examples in English
• American English Idioms and Phrases to Learn
• 100 Common English Questions and How to Answer Them
• Parts of Speech Activities ESL | Adverbs, Articles, Nouns, Verbs

Figures of Speech: Join the Conversation

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Figure of Speech: Definition and Examples

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• An Introduction to Punctuation

Common Types of Figures of Speech

• Ph.D., Rhetoric and English, University of Georgia
• M.A., Modern English and American Literature, University of Leicester
• B.A., English, State University of New York

In common usage, a figure of speech is a word or phrase that means something more or something other than it seems to say—the opposite of a literal expression. In rhetoric, a figure of speech is a type of figurative language (such as metaphor, irony, understatement, or anaphora) that departs from conventional word order or meaning. Nevertheless, figures of speech retain an element of truth, even if they may be misinterpreted. 

There are hundreds of figures of speech, and we often utilize them in everyday life. Here are common figures of speech with example phrases and passages.

Examples of common figures of speech include alliteration , which repeats the initial consonant sounds in neighboring words, and simile , which compares two unlike things using "like" or "as."

Anaphora is another figure of speech involving the repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses or sentences for emphasis. Hyperbole , on the other hand, exaggerates or overstates a situation for emphasis or effect.

Other common figures of speech are  antimetabole , antithesis , apostrophe , assonance , irony , metonymy , onomatopoeia , paradox , personification , pun , synecdoche , and understatement .

Watch Now: Common Figures of Speech Explained

Figure of speech examples.

Following are a few figures of speech that are a bit tongue-in-cheek.

Mr. Burns, "American History X-cellent," "The Simpsons," 2010

"Break a leg, everyone" (to a passing employee). "I said break a leg." (The employee then breaks his own leg with a hammer.) "My God, man! That was a figure of speech. You're fired!"

Peter Falk and Robert Walker, Jr., "Mind Over Mayhem," "Columbo," 1974

Lieutenant Columbo: "So you had an hour to kill before you had to get back to the airport." Dr. Neil Cahill: "I take it you mean to use that phrase, to kill.' You mean that literally ." Lieutenant Columbo: "No, I was just using a figure of speech. I'm not making an accusation."

Jonathan Baumbach, "My Father More or Less," "Fiction Collective," 1982

"What if there were a gun to your head, what would you say?" "Whose gun are you thinking of putting to my head?" "It was just a figure of speech, for God's sake. You don't have to be so literal about it." "It's only a figure of speech when you don't have a gun in your possession."

Carmen Carter et al., "Doomsday World (Star Trek: The Next Generation, No. 12)," 1990

"'Yes,' said Coleridge. 'The new Commercial Trading Hall... The emptiest building in town, gentlemen. If there are twenty people in it at any given time, I'll eat my tricorder on the spot.' "Data looked at the archaeologist, and Geordi caught the look. 'That's only a figure of speech, Data. She doesn't really intend to eat it.' "The android nodded. 'I am familiar with the expression, Geordi.'"

Metaphor as a Figure of Thought

A  metaphor  is a  trope  or figure of speech, in which an implied comparison is made between two unlike things that actually have something in common, as these quotes show.

Ning Yu, "Imagery," "Encyclopedia of Rhetoric and Composition," 1996

"In its broad sense, a metaphor is not only a figure of speech but also a figure of thought . It is a mode of apprehension and a means of perceiving and expressing something in a radically different way. In such a sense, figurative images are not simply decorative but serve to reveal aspects of experience in a new light."

"Teddy Roosevelt and the Treasure of Ursa Major," adapted by Ronald Kidd from the play by Tom Isbell, 2008

"Reaching into her pocket, [Ethel] pulled out the paper, held it in the moonlight, and read, 'Beneath this brilliant metaphor will there treasure be.' "What's a metaphor?' I asked. "Ethel said, 'It's a word that compares one thing to another, to show how they might be alike.' "'Well,' I said, 'if the metaphor is brilliant, maybe it's the chandelier.' "They stared at me. I don't know why. If you ask me, the clue had seemed pretty obvious. "'You know,' said Kermit, 'I think Archie is right.' He turned to Ethel. 'I can't believe I just said that.'"

Simile as Another Kind of Comparison

A simile is a figure of speech in which two fundamentally unlike things are explicitly compared, usually in a phrase introduced by like or as, as these quotes demonstrate.

Donita K. Paul, "Two Tickets to the Christmas Ball," 2010

"'What's a simile?' asked Sandy. She looked to Cora for an answer. "'When you compare something to something else to get a better picture of it in your head. The clouds look like cotton balls. The edge of the snow shovel is sharp like a knife.'"

Jay Heinrichs, "Word Hero: A Fiendishly Clever Guide to Crafting the Lines That Get Laughs," 2011

"The simile is a metaphor that gives itself away. 'The moon is a balloon': that's a metaphor. 'The moon is like a balloon': that's a simile."

Oxymoron as an Apparent Contradiction

An  oxymoron  is a figure of speech usually one or two words in which seemingly contradictory terms appear side by side.

Bradley Harris Dowden, "Logical Reasoning ,"  1993

"A contradiction in terms is also called an oxymoron. Debates are often started by asking whether a term is an oxymoron. For example, is artificial intelligence an oxymoron? Jokes are often based in oxymorons; is military intelligence an oxymoron?"

Dianne Blacklock, "False Advertising," 2007

"Her husband got hit by a bus. What was Gemma supposed to say? More to the point, what did Helen want to hear? "'Well,' said Gemma, going to sit on the bed beside Helen, who looked a little taken aback as she shifted to make room. 'You can't have an accident on purpose,' Gemma went on. 'That's an oxymoron. If there was intent, it wasn't an accident.' "'I guess I'm wondering if there isn't hidden intent in everything we do,' said Helen."

Hyperbole as Exaggeration

Hyperbole is a figure of speech in which exaggeration is used for emphasis or effect.

Steve Atinsky, "Tyler on Prime Time," 2002

"Samantha and I sat in chairs that had been set up near the table. "'What's hyperbole?' I asked her. "'It's a fancy way of saying bull.'"

Thomas S. Kane, "The New Oxford Guide to Writing," 1988

"Mark Twain was a master of hyperbole, as he reveals in this description of a tree after an ice storm: '[I]t stands there the acme, the climax, the supremest possibility in art or nature, of bewildering, intoxicating, intolerable magnificence. One cannot make the words strong enough.'"

Understatement as Beauty or Sarcasm

Understatement, the opposite of hyperbole, is a figure of speech in which a writer or speaker deliberately makes a situation seem less important or serious than it is.

Fiona Harper, "English Lord, Ordinary Lady," 2008

"She read what [Will] was going to say in his eyes before the words left his lips. "'I love you.' "So simple. No frills, no grandiose gestures. It was so Will. Suddenly, she understood the beauty of understatement."

Steph Swainston, "No Present Like Time," 2006

"[Serein] sat in the doorway, legs out onto the half deck, huddling in his greatcoat. 'Comet,' he said. 'You weren't well.' "'Is that understatement a new type of sarcasm you're experimenting with?'"

A  cliché   is a trite expression whose effectiveness has been worn out through overuse and excessive familiarity.

David Punter, "Metaphor," 2007

"[I]t is interesting that the phrase 'just a figure of speech' has become a cliché as if for something to be a figure of speech in some way downgrades it. It may not be going too far to say that there is a certain denial going on in this view; that it is more convenient and comfortable to pretend that there are some speech forms [that] do not use figures of speech and thus give us access to a solid, incontrovertible perception of the real, in contrast to which the figure of speech is in some way abstracted, lacking in purchase."

Laura Toffler-Corrie, "The Life and Opinions of Amy Finawitz," 2010

"I'm quite sure he doesn't really think you have been abducted by aliens. It was just a figure of speech, like 'Oh, she's just little Miss Sunshine' or 'What a clown.' When you use expressions like that (which I totally never do), it doesn't mean a person is really an inhumanly hot solar ball or that they're a member of the circus. It's not literal."

More on Figures of Speech

For more information on figures of speech, you can explore the following:

• Brief Introductions to 30 Figures of Speech
• Figure of Sound  and  Figure of Thought
• Literally and Figuratively: Commonly Confused Words
• 100 Awfully Good Examples of Oxymorons
• 100 Sweet Similes
• The 10 Greatest Hyperboles of All Time
• Top 20 Figures of Speech
• What Is a Rhetorical Device? Definition, List, Examples
• A List of Exclamations and Interjections in English
• Basic Grammar: What Is a Diphthong?
• Subordinating Conjunctions
• What Are Word Blends?
• Question Mark Definition and Examples
• What Is a Phrase? Definition and Examples in Grammar
• How to Write a Summary (With Examples)
• What Is Composition? Definition, Types, and Examples
• Transferred Epithet Definition and Examples
• The 100 Most Important Words in English
• Definition and Examples of Function Words in English
• The Top 20 Figures of Speech
• 100 Key Terms Used in the Study of Grammar
• What Is a Grammatical Error?

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Figure of Speech: Definition

Significance of figures of speech in english, types of figures of speech, illustrations of figurative language, key takeaways:, understanding 13 figures of speech: comprehensive guide and examples.

English language is rich in figures of speech, which enhance our communication by adding depth and nuanced meanings to our words. To grasp this linguistic phenomenon fully, it is essential to familiarize ourselves with different types of figures of speech and examine them through examples.

Even if you are familiar with the phrase, it's important to understand the meaning of a "figure of speech":

A figure of speech is a rhetorical device in which the intended meaning of a word or phrase cannot be interpreted literally from its literal words. In other words, figures of speech employ words or phrases to convey meanings beyond their literal interpretation.

Rhetorical devices are techniques used by writers or speakers to convey meaning, elicit emotional responses, and often persuade or convince the audience.

Figures of speech can be employed both in spoken language and writing. They help us create vivid mental imagery for our listeners and readers, depending on the mode of communication.

Figures of speech find use in both fiction and non-fiction writing, serving various purposes and achieving diverse effects, which we will explore in this article.

Why do we bother using figures of speech and what is their significance in English?

Figures of speech serve various purposes and can be employed to:

Make descriptions of people, places, and things more engaging and interesting (e.g., The ocean stretched out like an endless blue-green carpet .)

Highlight and emphasize emotions (e.g., Her sadness was a supervolcano, ready to erupt at any moment .)

Create a sense of urgency or excitement (e.g., Bang! Pop! The barn crumpled to the ground as the flames engulfed the last wooden posts supporting it .)

Draw comparisons between different subjects (e.g., The puppy dashed into the waves, while the old dog observed, stiller than a petrified tree in the forest .)

The effect generated by a figure of speech largely depends on the specific type employed. Let's now explore various types of figures of speech in more depth:

There is an extensive array of figures of speech. Here is a list covering some of the most prominent ones:

Metaphor: A figure of speech that describes something by likening it to another thing.

Simile: A figure of speech that compares something to another using "like" or "as".

Irony: The use of words to express the opposite of their literal meaning.

Idiom: Phrases or expressions whose meaning is figurative and differs from the literal interpretation of their words.

Euphemism: The use of mild or indirect words or expressions in place of harsh or blunt ones.

Hyperbole: A figure of speech that involves deliberate exaggeration for emphasis or dramatic effect.

Pun: A play on words that exploits different meanings or similar sounds of words, often for humorous or rhetorical effect.

Epigram: A concise and witty statement that conveys an idea, often with a satirical undertone.

Circumlocution: The use of many words to express an idea instead of being concise, often resulting in vagueness or ambiguity.

Onomatopoeia: Words that phonetically imitate or evoke the sound they represent.

Personification: A figure of speech attributing human characteristics or qualities to non-human entities.

Please note that this is not an exhaustive list of figures of speech. However, it offers a good starting point to understand the different effects and impacts they can create in language usage.

Fig 2. - Figures of speech can bring writing to life!

Now, let's delve into a few common figures of speech and explore them in more detail:

Metaphor in Figure of Speech

A metaphor directly likens one thing to another by stating that the former is the latter. Metaphors have been widely employed across various literary genres. For example, in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet (1597):

But soft, what light through yonder window breaks? It is the east, and Juliet is the sun!"

-Romeo and Juliet, W. Shakespeare, 1597 1

In this instance, Juliet is metaphorically compared to the sun in the line "and Juliet is the sun." This metaphor conveys Romeo's intense love for Juliet by emphasizing her importance and radiant nature, much like the sun.

Oxymoron in Figure of Speech

An oxymoron involves combining contradictory terms to emphasize the meaning of the second word . Here's an example from Alfred Tennyson's Lancelot and Elaine (1870) that contains two oxymorons:

His honour rooted in dishonour stood, and faith unfaithful kept him falsely true."

-A. Tennyson, Lancelot and Elaine, 1870 2

In this example, two oxymorons are present: "faith unfaithful" and "falsely true." Both of these oxymorons serve to depict Lancelot as a paradoxical character, embodying both honor and dishonor, truth and falsehood. The positioning of "unfaithful" and "true" as the concluding words of each oxymoron presents Lancelot as indeed being both of these attributes , forming yet another oxymoron.

Fun fact! The term "oxymoron" itself is an oxymoron. It consists of two words with opposite meanings of Greek origin: oxus (meaning "sharp") and moros (meaning "dull"). Translated directly, "oxymoron" means "sharpdull."

Idiom in Figure of Speech

Idioms are phrases where the literal meaning of the words is entirely different from their figurative or intended meaning. They have been extensively used in literature as well.

The world is an oyster, but you don't crack it open on a mattress!"

-A. Miller, Death of a Salesman, 1949 3

You might be familiar with the phrase "the world is your oyster," which has nothing to do with actual oysters but symbolizes possibilities and opportunities. In Death of a Salesman , Willy Loman employs this idiom and adds a twist by saying, "you don't crack it open on a mattress." Willy addresses his son, Happy, explaining that although life offers numerous opportunities, success requires hard work and effort.

Simile in Figure of Speech

Similes resemble metaphors, but instead of asserting one thing is another, similes establish that one thing is like another. Similes utilize words such as "like" or "as." Consider this example from Louisa May Alcott's Little Women (1868):

...she tried to get rid of the kitten which had scrambled up her back and stuck like a burr just out of reach."

-L.M. Alcott, Little Women, 1868 4

In this excerpt, a character attempts to remove a kitten that has climbed onto her back. The simile "stuck like a burr" describes the difficulty of removing the kitten and the character's discomfort. Burrs are often prickly, hence conveying the idea of the kitten's claws.

Fig 3. - An example of a spiky burr. A burr is a seed or dried fruit covered in hairs, thorns, or hooked spines.

Hyperbole in Figure of Speech

Hyperbole involves deliberate exaggeration, not meant to be taken literally, to emphasize or intensify certain characteristics or emotions. Writers employ hyperbole to underscore the extremity of situations or feelings, be it extreme hunger, size, speed, intelligence, etc. Illustratively, consider this extract from William Goldman's The Princess Bride (1973):

I died that day!"

-W. Goldman, The Princess Bride, 1973 5

Princess Buttercup conveys the immense devastation she experienced following Westley's death at the hands of Dread Pirate Roberts. While she did not physically die, her emotional anguish was so profound that it felt as though a part of her had perished with him. The absence of Westley has left her feeling hollow and devoid of life.

Here are some examples of different figures of speech in literature:

• Metaphor: "Love is a cruel mistress."
• Simile: "She is as lovely as a rose."
• Idiom: "People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones."
• Hyperbole: "I'm so hungry I could eat a chest of drawers!"
• Oxymoron: "pretty ugly", "seriously funny", "clearly confused"
• Irony: (on a rainy day) "What a beautiful day!"
• Euphemism: "He kicked the bucket."
• Metonymy: "Long live the crown!" (referring to a king or queen)
• Pun: "English students have a lot of comma sense."
• Epigram: "With great power comes great responsibility."
• Circumlocution: "There is a possibility that I might potentially have been slightly dishonest." (instead of saying, "I lied")
• Onomatopoeia: "Bang!" "sizzle," "Cuckoo!"
• Personification: "The clouds were angry."
• A figure of speech is a rhetorical device that adds emphasis and meaning to spoken and written language.
• There are various types of figures of speech, such as metaphors, similes, puns, hyperbole, idioms, and more.
• Each type of figure of speech creates a distinct effect and impact.
• Figures of speech find utility in both verbal communication and written forms across literary genres.
• Figures of speech have been extensively employed in literature, including works by Shakespeare, plays like Death of a Salesman , and modern novels.

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What is Figure of Speech? Definition, Examples of Figures of Speech

Home » The Writer’s Dictionary » What is Figure of Speech? Definition, Examples of Figures of Speech

Figure of speech definition: Figure of speech is the use of language to add richness to the literal meaning of words.

Common Figures of Speech

Here are some common figures of speech:

Metaphor : A metaphor is the comparison of two unlike things without the use of like or as.

• In this sentence, we have the metaphor “boy was a wild animal”. The boy is being compared to a wild animal because of his behavior in the store.

Simile : A simile is the comparison between two unlike things using such words as like, as, or so.

• In this sentence, we have the simile “boy was like a ninja”. The young boy’s stealthy behavior is being compared to that of a ninja. It is a simile rather than a metaphor because the word “like” was included.

Hyperbole : A hyperbole is an over exaggeration.

• In this example, the hyperbole is the over exaggeration of hunger that Ashley has after her day of swimming, for she is not literally as hungry as a hippo.

Personification : Personification is when human traits are given to anything nonhuman.

• Here, the sun is being given the human trait of smiling.

The Function of Figures of Speech

The purpose of using figures of speech is to add richness to writing that will have an effect on the reader. By using these comparisons, it allows the reader to have a greater understanding and ability to imagine the situations being described in the writing.

How Figures of Speech are Used in Literature

Here are some examples of figures of speech in literature:

In William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet , he uses a metaphor in the famous balcony scene. Romeo exclaims, “But soft, what light through yonder window breaks? / It is the east and Juliet is the sun”.

• “Juliet is the sun” = metaphor
• This metaphor is used to emphasis the overwhelming brightness of Juliet’s beauty.

In James Hurst’s short story The Scarlet Ibis , he uses a simile to set the somber mood at the beginning of the story, “the oriole nest in the elm was untenanted and rocked back and forth like an empty cradle”.

• “Oriole nest…rocked back and forth like an empty cradle” = simile
• This simile is used to create a somber mood by comparing the movement of the nest to that of an empty cradle, which has a negative connotation associated with it.

The Scarlet Ibis also includes examples of hyperbole . Hurst writes, “We danced together quite well until she came down on my big toe with her brogans, hurting me so badly I thought I was crippled for life”.

• “hurting me so badly I thought I was crippled for life” = hyperbole
• This hyperbole is used to exaggerate the pain felt by the young child when his aunt stepped on his toe while dancing.

In Eric Litwin’s Pete the Cat series, personification is used with the starring character, Pete. In the book I Love My White Shoes, he writes, “Did Pete cry? Goodness, no! He kept walking along and singing his song”.

• In this example, a cat is given human traits such as singing. Many children’s book employ personification due to the inclusion of nonhuman characters.

Summary: What Does Figure of Speech Mean?

Define figure of speech mean? In summation, figures of speech are used to add richness and imagery to a work of literature in order to achieve an effect for the reader.

Final example,

In Pat Mora’s poem “Old Snake”, it states “Leave / those doubts and hurts / buzzing like flies in your ears”.

• “doubts and hurts / buzzing like flies in your ears” = simile

This simile is used to compare the left behind worries to just a buzz in the ear like a fly. A comparison to a fly is used because flies are often seen as an annoyance just like having constant doubt or worry.

50 Examples of Figures of Speech

Figures of speech are the spices of language. These add flavor and intensity to our everyday communication. These rhetorical devices transform simple sentences into powerful messages in literature, speeches, or casual conversations and can leave a lasting impact.

In this post, you’ll find 50 examples of figures of speech that illustrate their beauty, versatility, and effectiveness. It includes well-known metaphors and similes that light up our literary texts, as well as the subtle ironies and euphemisms that color our daily dialogues.

Figures of speech are not just tools for writers or orators; they are instruments for anyone who wishes to enhance their communication skills, add creativity to their language, or simply appreciate the nuanced art of wordplay.

• Simile : “As brave as a lion.”
• Metaphor : “Time is a thief.”
• Personification : “The wind whispered through the trees.”
• Hyperbole : “I’ve told you a million times.”
• Understatement : “It’s just a scratch,” said about a large dent.
• Metonymy : “The White House issued a statement.” (Referring to the U.S. President or administration)
• Synecdoche : “All hands on deck.” (Referring to sailors)
• Irony : Saying “What a pleasant day!” during a storm.
• Sarcasm : Saying “Great job!” when someone fails.
• Alliteration : “Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.”
• Assonance : “The early bird catches the worm.”
• Onomatopoeia : “The bees buzzed in the garden.”
• Oxymoron : “Deafening silence.”
• Paradox : “Less is more.”
• Pun : “A bicycle can’t stand on its own because it is two-tired.”
• Anaphora : “Every day, every night, in every way, I am getting better.”
• Epistrophe : “Government of the people, by the people, for the people.”
• Euphemism : “Passed away” instead of “died.”
• Litotes : “Not bad” to mean “good.”
• Apostrophe : “O Death, where is thy sting?”
• Allegory : “The Tortoise and the Hare” represents slow and steady wins the race.
• Cliché : “Love is blind.”
• Idiom : “It’s raining cats and dogs.”
• Analogy : “Just as a sword is the weapon of a warrior, a pen is the weapon of a writer.”
• Chiasmus : “Never let a Fool Kiss You or a Kiss Fool You.”
• Antithesis : “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.”
• Paralipsis : “I will not mention the fact that you were late.”
• Zeugma : “He opened his mind and his wallet at the movies.”
• Synesthesia : “Tasting of Flora and the country green.”
• Tautology : “Free gift.”
• Anadiplosis : “Fear leads to anger; anger leads to hate.”
• Asyndeton : “I came, I saw, I conquered.”
• Polysyndeton : “We lived and laughed and loved and left.”
• Euphony : “Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness.”
• Cacophony : “Beware the Jabberwock, my son! The jaws that bite, the claws that catch!”
• Ellipsis : “So… what happened?”
• Hyperbaton : “Alone he walked on the cold, lonely roads.”
• Anthropomorphism : “The teapot shouted at the kettle.”
• Antanaclasis : “Your argument is sound, nothing but sound.”
• Antimetabole : “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.”
• Aphorism : “Actions speak louder than words.”
• Archaism : “Thou art the fairest maiden.”
• Bathos : “He spent his final hour of life doing what he loved most: arguing with his wife.”
• Circumlocution : “The thing you use to sweep the floor” instead of “broom.”
• Enthymeme : “He is a U.S. citizen, so he must speak English.”
• Epigram : “Mankind must put an end to war, or war will put an end to mankind.”
• Epithet : “Alexander the Great.”
• Equivocation : “I stand with my country, but I also stand with my party.”
• Hendiadys : “Nice and warm” instead of “nicely warm.”
• Hypophora : “What makes a good writer? Good writing, of course.”
• Types of Figurative Language
• Importance of Figures of Speech
• Figures of Speech Examples in Literature
• Figures of Speech Examples in Poetry

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What Are Figures of Speech? Definition & 100+ Examples

Have you ever pondered how our words can paint vivid pictures, evoke intense emotions, or transport us to magical realms? Welcome to the enchanting world of figures of speech! As the spices of language, these expressive tools bring flavor to our conversations and help us articulate our thoughts with creativity and flair.

Join us as we embark on this exciting linguistic adventure, and unlock the secrets to using figures of speech effectively. Whether you’re a writer, a speaker, or simply someone who loves the art of language, this exploration promises to enlighten and inspire.

So grab your metaphorical paintbrush, and get ready to turn your words into a masterpiece!

Table of Contents

Figures of Speech: Definition

Figures of speech are expressive language devices used to add color, depth, and creativity to our communication. They go beyond the literal meaning of words and phrases, employing stylistic and imaginative techniques to convey ideas more vividly and engagingly.

By intentionally manipulating words and phrases, figures of speech create richer and more impactful expressions, giving language its poetic, persuasive, and emotive qualities.

Figures of speech breathe life into our language, making it more engaging and memorable. They enable us to paint vivid images, evoke emotions, and convey complex ideas with clarity and impact.

Types of Figures of Speech

There are numerous figures of speech, each serving a unique purpose in enhancing the beauty and expressiveness of language. Here are some of the types:

A metaphor is a powerful figure of speech that allows us to make connections between two dissimilar things by asserting that one thing is another. By drawing attention to a shared characteristic, metaphors create vivid images, enhance understanding, and enrich language. Unlike similes, metaphors don’t use comparative words such as “like” or “as.”

Here are some examples of metaphors and their meanings:

A simile is a figure of speech that compares two distinct things by using the words “like” or “as” to establish a connection. By highlighting a shared quality or characteristic, similes create vivid images and enhance the reader’s or listener’s understanding of the subject.

While metaphors make direct comparisons without using comparative words, similes explicitly use “like” or “as” to draw attention to the similarity between the two things being compared.

Here are some examples of similes and their meanings:

Hyperbole is a figure of speech that employs intentional exaggeration to create emphasis, drama, or humor. By magnifying a particular quality or characteristic, hyperboles draw attention to the subject and evoke strong emotions.

Although not meant to be taken literally, hyperboles effectively convey the intensity or extremity of a situation or feeling, enriching language and engaging the reader or listener.

Here are some examples of hyperboles and their meanings:

Alliteration

Alliteration is a figure of speech that features the repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of adjacent or closely connected words. Often used in poetry, prose, and tongue twisters, alliteration adds a rhythmic and musical quality to language, making it more memorable and engaging.

Here are some examples of alliteration:

An oxymoron is a figure of speech that combines two seemingly contradictory or opposing terms to create a new concept or expression. By juxtaposing these contrasting words, oxymorons emphasize contrast, create paradoxes, and evoke curiosity or surprise in the reader.

They can also add depth, complexity, or humor to language, highlighting the nuances and contradictions in human experience.

Here are some examples of oxymorons:

Onomatopoeia

Onomatopoeia refers to words that imitate or sound like the action they describe. This figure of speech is commonly used in poetry and helps to convey a more vivid image to the reader.

Here are some examples of onomatopoeia:

Personification

Personification is a figure of speech that attributes human qualities, emotions, or actions to non-human objects, animals, or abstract concepts.

By giving human characteristics to inanimate objects or intangible ideas, personification helps to create vivid imagery, evoke emotions, and make abstract concepts more relatable and engaging for the reader or listener.

It is frequently used in poetry, prose, and other forms of creative expression to enhance the impact and appeal of language.

Here are some examples of personification:

A pun is a form of wordplay that exploits the multiple meanings or similar sounds of words to create humor, irony, or rhetorical impact. Puns often rely on homophones (words that sound alike but have different meanings) or homonyms (words that have the same spelling and pronunciation but different meanings).

They can be used to create jokes, add levity, or bring attention to a particular idea or concept. Puns are a popular form of humor in literature, advertising, and everyday conversation.

Here are some examples of puns:

Synecdoche is a figure of speech in which a part of something is used to represent the whole, or conversely, the whole is used to represent a part. This literary device allows writers and speakers to create emphasis or simplification by using a representative term, making their language more concise, vivid, and engaging.

Synecdoche is commonly used in poetry, prose, and everyday speech to create impactful imagery and evoke emotions.

Here are some examples of synecdoche:

Irony is a figure of speech that uses words to convey a meaning that is opposite to or different from their literal or usual meaning, often to create humor, critique, or emphasize a point.

Irony highlights the discrepancy between what is said or expected and what actually occurs or is meant. It is commonly used in literature, conversation, and other forms of communication to engage the audience and provoke thought.

There are several types of irony, including verbal, situational, and dramatic irony.

Here are some examples of irony:

Litotes is a figure of speech that employs understatement or a double negative to emphasize a point or convey a positive meaning. By presenting a statement in a weaker or more modest form, litotes highlights the intended meaning through contrast or irony.

This rhetorical device is frequently used in literature, speeches, and everyday language to create emphasis, evoke humor, or express modesty and politeness.

Here are some examples of litotes:

Metonymy is a figure of speech in which a closely associated but non-literal term is substituted for the word it is intended to represent. This rhetorical device allows writers and speakers to create emphasis or simplification by using a representative term or symbol, making their language more concise, vivid, and engaging.

Metonymy is commonly used in poetry, prose, and everyday speech to create impactful imagery and evoke emotions.

Here are some examples of metonymy:

A euphemism is a figure of speech in which a mild or indirect expression is substituted for a harsh, blunt, or offensive one. This rhetorical device allows writers and speakers to convey sensitive or potentially uncomfortable information in a more delicate or polite manner.

Euphemisms are often used to address taboo subjects, unpleasant situations, or impolite language, helping to maintain a sense of decorum and respect in communication.

Here are some examples of euphemisms:

Antithesis is a figure of speech that places two opposing or contrasting ideas side by side to create a clear, contrasting relationship or an intense effect. This rhetorical device emphasizes the differences between the ideas and enhances the impact of both concepts by using their contrast to create a striking and memorable image or statement.

Antithesis is often used in literature, speeches, and other forms of communication to engage the audience, provoke thought, and highlight the complexity or depth of an idea.

Here are some examples of antithesis:

Apostrophe is a figure of speech in which a speaker directly addresses an absent or imaginary person, an abstract concept, or a personified object. This rhetorical device allows writers and speakers to create a more emotional, intimate, or dramatic effect in their work, engaging the audience and evoking strong feelings.

Apostrophe is often used in literature, particularly poetry and drama, to convey deep emotions, personal reflections, or powerful messages.

Here are some examples of apostrophe:

Understatement

Understatement is a figure of speech that deliberately minimizes the importance or impact of something, often for humorous or ironic effect. This rhetorical device allows writers and speakers to convey their message in a subtle, indirect manner, emphasizing their point by downplaying its significance.

Understatement is often used in literature, speeches, and everyday conversations to create humor, irony, or to heighten the impact of a situation by contrasting it with its mild description.

Here are some examples of understatement:

A paradox is a figure of speech that presents a statement or situation that seems contradictory or illogical but can hold a deeper meaning or truth. This rhetorical device challenges the reader or listener to think beyond the surface and find a more profound understanding or insight.

Paradoxes are often used in literature, philosophy, and everyday language to create intrigue, provoke thought, and reveal the complexity of ideas or situations.

Here are some examples of paradox:

Assonance is the repetition of vowel sounds in non-rhyming words, often used to create internal rhymes and enhance the rhythm in poetry or prose. This figure of speech contributes to the musicality, mood, and overall atmosphere of a piece, making it more engaging and memorable for the reader or listener.

Assonance can also be employed for emphasis, to draw attention to certain words or ideas, and to create a sense of cohesion within a text.

Here are some examples of assonance:

Anaphora is a figure of speech involving the repetition of the same word or phrase at the beginning of consecutive clauses or sentences to emphasize an idea, create a sense of rhythm, and reinforce a particular point.

This rhetorical device is commonly used in poetry, speeches, and prose to establish a pattern, evoke emotion, and make a message more memorable and powerful.

Here are some examples of anaphora:

Chiasmus is a figure of speech where the order of words in one phrase is reversed in the following phrase, creating a mirrored or inverted structure. This rhetorical device is used to create emphasis, balance, and contrast, making a message more memorable and impactful.

Chiasmus is often found in literature, speeches, and everyday language to convey a sense of symmetry, harmony, or irony.

Here are some examples of chiasmus:

Figurative Language in Literature and Writing

Figurative language is a crucial aspect of literature and writing, serving to create vivid images and engaging scenes for readers.

It is commonly used in poetry, prose, and other forms of writing to enhance the narrative and provide deeper meaning. By employing various literary devices and wordplay, writers can evoke emotions, provoke thought, and create memorable experiences for their readers.

One of the primary purposes of figurative language is to convey abstract ideas and concepts through concrete images. Writers often use metaphors, similes, and personification to create connections between seemingly unrelated subjects.

Another common technique employed in literature and writing is the use of symbolism, where objects, characters, or events represent abstract ideas or concepts.

This can contribute to the development of themes, the exploration of human experiences, and the layering of meaning throughout a narrative. For example, a recurring motif of birds may symbolize freedom, while a shattered mirror may represent broken relationships.

Wordplay, such as puns, alliteration, and onomatopoeia, also enriches literary works and adds an element of sophistication to writing. These devices showcase the writer’s mastery of language and provide additional layers of interpretation for readers.

Using Figures of Speech in Writing: Strategies

Figures of speech are essential tools that writers use to refine their craft and convey meaning effectively. They can enrich writing by providing additional layers of meaning and enlivening prose by introducing distinctive language patterns.

One strategy for using figures of speech is to incorporate various literary devices such as similes, metaphors, and personification in text. These tropes allow writers to make comparisons that evoke strong mental images, enhancing the reader’s understanding of the content.

Another effective approach is to incorporate elements of grammar and structure, such as alliteration, anaphora, or chiasmus, to create memorable and captivating patterns in writing.

Incorporating irony, sarcasm, or understatement in text can also help writers convey meaning in a subtle, witty, or humorous manner. These figures of speech add another dimension to the narrative by contrasting what is said with what is meant or what is expected.

Lastly, it is crucial for writers to understand their audience and consider the context in which the writing will be read. Tropes that work well for one audience might not resonate with another, and overusing figures of speech may hinder understanding or distract from the message being conveyed.

Related Terms and Concepts

In the realm of figures of speech, several related terms and concepts can be found. These terms help clarify the various devices and techniques that contribute to a more evocative and effective use of language.

Circumlocution is a figure of speech in which a speaker or writer uses more words than necessary to express an idea, often with the purpose of avoiding a direct statement. Examples of circumlocution can be found in politics, science, and everyday conversation. It can be a useful tool in crafting an evasive response, obscuring a truth or maintaining diplomatic neutrality.

Pleonasm refers to the use of redundant words or phrases in a sentence. This figure of speech may seem superfluous, but it can be used intentionally to emphasize a point or create a specific effect. In some cases, pleonasm can add lyrical or rhythmic qualities to a phrase, as in poetry.

Epigram is a brief, witty, and often satirical statement that conveys a thought or observation in a concise and memorable way. Epigrams are often used in literature and social commentary to offer insight or provoke thought. Examples of epigrams can be found across diverse literary works, from ancient Greek and Roman texts to the modern-day writings of prominent authors.

Schemes refer to the arrangement of words and phrases in a sentence or paragraph, focusing on syntax and structure. These rhetorical devices can elevate language by creating patterns, contrasts, or emphasis.

Some common examples of schemes include parallelism, chiasmus, and antithesis. Schemes can be powerful tools in crafting engaging and meaningful writing across numerous fields, from science to poetry.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a figure of speech and a literary device.

A figure of speech is a type of literary device that uses words or expressions in a non-literal or metaphorical way to create a particular effect, such as imagery, emphasis, or emotional impact.

Literary devices, on the other hand, are a broader category that encompasses various techniques and tools used by writers to enhance their work, create meaning, and engage readers.

Figures of speech are a subset of literary devices, which also include elements like symbolism, irony, foreshadowing, and alliteration.

Can using too many figures of speech be detrimental to communication?

While figures of speech can enrich language and make it more engaging, using too many of them can be detrimental to communication.

Overuse of figures of speech can make a text overly complicated, obscure the intended meaning, and even confuse or alienate readers who are unfamiliar with the expressions being used.

It’s essential to strike a balance between using figures of speech for stylistic effect and maintaining clarity and accessibility in communication.

Can understanding figures of speech improve critical thinking skills?

Yes, understanding figures of speech can contribute to the development of critical thinking skills.

By learning to identify and analyze various rhetorical devices in language, you become more adept at recognizing the underlying ideas, assumptions, and emotions that inform a message.

This heightened awareness can help you evaluate the validity and persuasiveness of arguments, identify potential biases or manipulative language, and make more informed decisions based on the information you encounter.

Can the use of figures of speech affect the tone of a piece of writing?

Yes, the use of figures of speech can significantly affect the tone of a piece of writing. Depending on the specific figure of speech used and the context, it can evoke various emotions, create a sense of humor, or convey a sense of seriousness or formality.

For instance, using a hyperbole can create a sense of exaggeration or humor, while employing a metaphor can add depth or poignancy to a description.

The choice and frequency of figures of speech can help establish the overall tone and style of a piece of writing, shaping the reader’s perception and experience of the text.

Figures of speech are versatile and powerful tools that breathe life into language, enabling writers and speakers to create vivid imagery, evoke emotions, and engage their audience.

By using various rhetorical devices such as metaphor, simile, personification, irony, and litotes, communicators can express ideas in creative, memorable, and impactful ways.

The artful application of figures of speech not only enriches language but also helps to forge connections between the communicator and their audience, ultimately elevating the quality and resonance of any form of communication.

Embrace the world of figures of speech, and watch your language take flight!

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Figure of Speech

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Figures of speech are linguistic tools that enhance writing and speech by adding emphasis, clarity, or flair. They involve the use of words in non-literal ways to create vivid imagery and express complex ideas more effectively. By employing techniques like metaphor , simile , and hyperbole , figures of speech enrich communication, making it more engaging and memorable for the audience. These devices are essential in both literature and everyday language.

What is a Figure of Speech?

A figure of speech is a rhetorical device that enhances language by deviating from ordinary usage to create emphasis, clarity, or creativity. Common examples include metaphors, similes, personification , and hyperbole. These devices make writing more engaging, vivid, and memorable, allowing for imaginative and impactful expression of ideas.

Types of Figures of Speech

A simile compares two different things using “like” or “as” to highlight a similarity.

• Her smile is as bright as the sun.
• He is as brave as a lion.
• The water is as clear as crystal.
• She sings like an angel.
• His explanation was as clear as mud.

2. Metaphor

A metaphor directly compares two unlike things without using “like” or “as”.

• Time is a thief.
• He has a heart of stone.
• The classroom was a zoo.
• Her voice is music to my ears.
• The world is a stage.

3. Personification

Personification gives human qualities to animals, objects, or ideas.

• The wind whispered through the trees.
• The flowers danced in the breeze.
• The car groaned as it climbed the hill.
• Time flies when you’re having fun.
• The moon smiled down on us.

4. Hyperbole

Hyperbole involves exaggerated statements for emphasis or effect.

• I’m so hungry I could eat a horse.
• She has a million pairs of shoes.
• This bag weighs a ton.
• I’ve told you a thousand times.
• He runs faster than the wind.

5. Understatement

An understatement makes a situation seem less important or serious than it is.

• “It’s just a scratch,” he said about the deep wound.
• Winning the lottery wasn’t a big deal to him.
• “I did okay,” she said after scoring the highest.
• The storm brought a little rain, he said about the hurricane.
• The test was somewhat challenging, said about a very difficult exam.

Irony involves saying one thing but meaning the opposite, often for humorous or emphatic effect.

• A fire station burns down.
• A plumber’s house has leaking pipes.
• A pilot has a fear of heights.
• Saying “Great!” after failing a test.
• The police station gets robbed.

7. Oxymoron

An oxymoron combines two contradictory terms.

• Deafening silence
• Jumbo shrimp
• Bitter sweet
• Living dead
• Act naturally

8. Alliteration

Alliteration is the repetition of the initial consonant sounds in closely connected words.

• Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.
• She sells seashells by the seashore.
• Timmy’s tiny turtle.
• Big brown bear.
• Friendly firefly.

9. Onomatopoeia

Onomatopoeia uses words that imitate the sound they describe.

• The bees buzzed.
• The cat meowed.
• The clock ticked.
• The car honked.
• The rain pitter-pattered on the roof.

A pun is a play on words, often for a humorous effect.

• I used to be a baker, but I couldn’t make enough dough.
• Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana.
• A bicycle can’t stand on its own because it is two-tired.
• I’ve been to the dentist many times, so I know the drill.
• Reading while sunbathing makes you well-red.

11. Anaphora

Anaphora is the repetition of the same word or group of words at the beginning of successive clauses or sentences.

• “I have a dream” in Martin Luther King’s speech.
• Every day, every night, in every way, I am getting better.
• We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds.
• It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.
• With malice toward none; with charity for all.

12. Euphemism

A euphemism is a mild or indirect word or expression substituted for one considered too harsh or blunt.

• Passed away instead of died.
• Let go instead of fired.
• Correctional facility instead of jail.
• Economical with the truth instead of lying.
• Between jobs instead of unemployed.

13. Metonymy

Metonymy replaces the name of something with something else closely related to it.

• The pen is mightier than the sword (pen refers to writing, sword to fighting).
• The White House issued a statement (White House refers to the President or staff).
• The crown will find an heir (crown refers to monarchy).
• Hollywood is obsessed with sequels (Hollywood refers to the film industry).
• The suits on Wall Street walked off with most of our savings (suits refers to business people).

14. Synecdoche

Synecdoche is a figure of speech in which a part is made to represent the whole or vice versa.

• All hands on deck (hands refer to sailors).
• Nice wheels (wheels refer to the car).
• The hired hands (hands refer to workers).
• The White House (referring to the President or staff).
• New faces (referring to new people).

15. Antithesis

Antithesis juxtaposes two contrasting ideas in a balanced way.

• Speech is silver, but silence is gold.
• Love is an ideal thing, marriage a real thing.
• That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.
• To err is human; to forgive, divine.

16. Litotes

Litotes is an understatement in which a positive statement is expressed by negating its opposite.

• Not bad (meaning good).
• She’s not unkind (meaning kind).
• He’s no fool (meaning smart).
• It’s not impossible (meaning possible).
• I’m not unhappy (meaning happy).

17. Apostrophe

Apostrophe addresses someone absent, dead, or something non-human as if it were alive and present.

• O Death, where is thy sting?
• Twinkle, twinkle, little star, how I wonder what you are.
• Hello darkness, my old friend.
• Is this a dagger which I see before me?
• O, Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?

18. Allusion

Allusion is an indirect reference to a person, event, or piece of literature.

• He was a real Romeo with the ladies.
• She had a Cinderella story.
• He’s a Scrooge when it comes to money.
• This place is like a Garden of Eden.
• Don’t act like a Judas.

19. Paradox

A paradox is a statement that appears contradictory but reveals a truth.

• Less is more.
• I know one thing: that I know nothing.
• The beginning of the end.
• I am nobody.
• This is the beginning of the end.

20. Chiasmus

Chiasmus is a rhetorical device in which two or more clauses are balanced against each other by the reversal of their structures.

• Never let a Fool Kiss You or a Kiss Fool You.
• Do I love you because you’re beautiful? Or are you beautiful because I love you?
• You forget what you want to remember, and you remember what you want to forget.
• Fair is foul, and foul is fair.
• It’s not the men in my life, it’s the life in my men.

Importance of Figure of Speech

Figures of speech play a crucial role in enhancing the beauty and effectiveness of language. Here are some key reasons why they are important:

1. Enhances Expressiveness

Figures of speech add depth and emotion to writing and speech, making communication more engaging and memorable. They help convey feelings and ideas in a more impactful way.

2. Creates Vivid Imagery

By using metaphors, similes, and other devices, figures of speech create vivid mental images for the reader or listener. This helps in visualizing the concepts and scenarios being described, making the content more relatable and interesting.

3. Adds Emphasis

Figures of speech, such as hyperbole and alliteration, emphasize certain points or ideas, drawing attention to important aspects of the message. This helps in reinforcing the intended message effectively.

4. Enhances Creativity

Using figures of speech allows writers and speakers to be more creative with their language. It encourages thinking outside the box and using language in unique ways to express ideas.

5. Improves Clarity

Paradoxically, figures of speech can make complex ideas easier to understand by comparing them to more familiar concepts. Analogies and metaphors, for example, simplify abstract ideas and make them more comprehensible.

6. Engages the Audience

Figures of speech make language more engaging and enjoyable. They capture the audience’s attention and hold their interest, making the communication more effective.

7. Adds Humor

Devices like puns and irony introduce humor into language, making the content more enjoyable and entertaining. This can make the message more memorable and easier to digest.

8. Reflects Cultural Context

Figures of speech often reflect cultural and societal norms, values, and beliefs. They can provide insights into the culture and context of the language being used, enriching the communication experience.

9. Encourages Critical Thinking

Interpreting figures of speech often requires critical thinking and interpretation. This encourages the audience to think more deeply about the language and the ideas being presented.

10. Enhances Persuasiveness

In rhetoric, figures of speech are powerful tools for persuasion. They help in building arguments, appealing to emotions, and convincing the audience of a particular viewpoint.

Figure of Speech Examples:

Figure of speech examples in literature.

Figures of speech are rhetorical devices used to convey meaning or create effects in writing. Here are examples of various figures of speech in literature:

• Example : “Her smile was as bright as the sun.” (John Steinbeck, East of Eden )
• Example : “All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players.” (William Shakespeare, As You Like It )
• Example : “The wind whispered through the trees.” (Nathaniel Hawthorne, The Scarlet Letter )
• Example : “I had to wait an eternity for the bus.” (Gabriel García Márquez, One Hundred Years of Solitude )
• Example : “It’s just a scratch,” he said, as blood gushed from the wound. (J.D. Salinger, The Catcher in the Rye )
• Example : “Parting is such sweet sorrow.” (William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet )
• Example : “I must be cruel to be kind.” (William Shakespeare, Hamlet )
• Example : “Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.” (Traditional Tongue Twister)
• Example : “The bees buzzed, and the brook gurgled.” (Alfred Lord Tennyson, The Brook )
• Synecdoche : A figure of speech in which a part represents the whole.
• Example : “All hands on deck.” (Herman Melville, Moby Dick )
• Metonymy : Substituting the name of one thing with something closely related to it.
• Example : “The pen is mightier than the sword.” (Edward Bulwer-Lytton, Richelieu; Or the Conspiracy )
• Irony : A contrast between expectation and reality.
• Example : “It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.” (Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice )
• Apostrophe : Addressing an absent or imaginary person or a personified abstraction.
• Example : “O Death, where is thy sting?” (1 Corinthians 15:55, The Bible)
• Anaphora : The repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses.
• Example : “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness.” (Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities )
• Pun : A play on words with humorous effect.
• Example : “A bicycle can’t stand on its own because it is two-tired.” (Douglas Adams, The Restaurant at the End of the Universe )

Figure of Speech Examples Sentences

ere are sentences exemplifying various figures of speech:

• Simile : “Her laughter was like music to his ears.”
• Metaphor : “Time is a thief that steals our moments.”
• Personification : “The old house groaned in the wind.”
• Hyperbole : “I’ve told you a million times to clean your room!”
• Understatement : “It’s just a small scratch,” he said, looking at the dented car.
• Oxymoron : “The silence was deafening.”
• Paradox : “Less is more.”
• Alliteration : “Sally sells seashells by the seashore.”
• Onomatopoeia : “The bees buzzed angrily around the hive.”
• Synecdoche : “Check out my new wheels,” he said, referring to his car.
• Metonymy : “The White House issued a statement today.”
• Irony : “A fire station burned down.”
• Apostrophe : “Twinkle, twinkle, little star, how I wonder what you are.”
• Anaphora : “Every day, every night, in every way, I am getting better and better.”
• Pun : “I used to be a baker, but I couldn’t make enough dough.”

Figure of Speech Examples for Kids

Here are examples of figures of speech that are easy for kids to understand, with sentences:

• Example : “Her smile was as bright as the sun.”
• Example : “He was a lion in the fight.”
• Example : “The wind whispered through the trees.”
• Example : “I’m so hungry I could eat a horse.”
• Example : “It’s just a little rain,” she said during the storm.
• Example : “The jumbo shrimp was delicious.”
• Example : “You have to be cruel to be kind.”
• Example : “Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.”
• Example : “The bees buzzed around the flowers.”
• Example : “All hands on deck.”
• Example : “The crown announced a new law.”
• Example : “A plumber’s house always has leaky pipes.”
• Example : “Twinkle, twinkle, little star, how I wonder what you are.”
• Example : “Every day, every night, in every way, I am getting better and better.”
• Example : “I used to be a baker, but I couldn’t make enough dough.”

Metaphor Figure of Speech Examples

Here are examples of metaphors, a figure of speech where a word or phrase is applied to an object or action to which it is not literally applicable:

• Meaning: Life is like a play; people are actors with roles to play.
• Meaning: Time takes away moments of our lives, just as a thief takes possessions.
• Meaning: He is very unemotional or unfeeling.
• Meaning: The classroom was noisy and chaotic.
• Meaning: She is very cheerful and lively.
• Meaning: Life is full of experiences and changes, similar to traveling.
• Meaning: The assignment was very easy to complete.
• Meaning: Her voice is very pleasing to hear.
• Meaning: He stays up late and is active at night.
• Meaning: The snow covers everything like a blanket covers a bed.
• Meaning: His words were very hurtful.
• Meaning: Life has many challenges and difficult times.
• Meaning: She brings joy and happiness into my life.
• Meaning: The stars were bright and sparkly like diamonds.
• Meaning: The test was very easy.

Hyperbole Figure of Speech Examples

Here are examples of hyperbole, a figure of speech that involves exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally:

• Meaning: I am extremely hungry.
• Meaning: I’ve told you many times to clean your room.
• Meaning: This bag is very heavy.
• Meaning: I have a lot of homework.
• Meaning: It will take a very long time to get there.
• Meaning: He’s running very fast.
• Meaning: I am laughing very hard.
• Meaning: She cried a lot.
• Meaning: This day is very bad.
• Meaning: My backpack is very heavy.
• Meaning: I have a lot of things to do today.
• Meaning: He is not very intelligent.
• Meaning: I waited in line for a very long time.
• Meaning: He is very tall.
• Meaning: I am very tired and need a lot of sleep.

Apostrophe Figure of Speech Examples

Here are examples of apostrophe, a figure of speech in which a speaker directly addresses an absent or imaginary person, or a personified abstraction:

• Juliet is addressing Romeo, who is not present.
• The speaker is addressing a star.
• The speaker is addressing death and the grave.
• The speaker is addressing the deceased captain.
• Lady Macbeth is addressing spirits.
• Macbeth is addressing an imagined dagger.
• Mark Antony is addressing Caesar’s dead body.
• The speaker is addressing the ocean.
• Satan is addressing the sun.
• King Lear is addressing the winds.

Repetition Figure of Speech Examples

Repetition is a figure of speech where words or phrases are repeated to emphasize a point or create a rhythm. Here are examples of different types of repetition:

• Example : “Every day, every night, in every way, I am getting better and better.” (Emile Coué)
• Example : “See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil.”
• Example : “The truth is not this, the truth is not that, the truth is unchangeable.”
• Example : “The horror, the horror!” (Joseph Conrad, Heart of Darkness )
• Example : “Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering.” (Yoda, Star Wars )
• Example : “Do I love you because you are beautiful, or are you beautiful because I love you?” (Oscar Hammerstein II, Cinderella )
• Example : “To be, or not to be!” (William Shakespeare, Hamlet )
• Example : “We have ships and men and money and stores.”
• Example : “I came, I saw, I conquered.” (Julius Caesar)
• Example : “The king is dead; long live the king!”

How to Use a Figure of Speech in English?

Figures of speech are powerful tools that can enhance your writing and speech. Here’s a guide on how to effectively use various figures of speech:

1. Metaphor

Usage: Use metaphors to draw direct comparisons between two unrelated things, highlighting their similarities. Example: “The classroom was a zoo.” Explanation: This metaphor compares the classroom to a zoo, emphasizing chaos and activity.

Usage: Use similes to compare two different things using “like” or “as” to make descriptions more vivid. Example: “Her smile was as bright as the sun.” Explanation: This simile compares the brightness of her smile to the sun, emphasizing its radiance.

Usage: Use personification to give human qualities to non-human objects or abstract ideas, making them more relatable. Example: “The wind whispered through the trees.” Explanation: This personification gives the wind the human ability to whisper, creating a more engaging image.

Usage: Use hyperbole for exaggeration to emphasize a point or evoke strong feelings. Example: “I’ve told you a million times.” Explanation: This hyperbole exaggerates the number of times something has been said, emphasizing frustration.

5. Alliteration

Usage: Use alliteration to repeat the same initial consonant sound in a series of words, adding rhythm and musicality. Example: “She sells seashells by the seashore.” Explanation: The repetition of the ‘s’ sound creates a pleasing rhythm and enhances memorability.

6. Onomatopoeia

Usage: Use onomatopoeia to mimic natural sounds, enhancing the sensory experience of the reader or listener. Example: “The bees buzzed in the garden.” Explanation: The word “buzzed” imitates the sound of bees, making the description more vivid.

Usage: Use oxymorons to combine contradictory terms, revealing deeper meanings or creating dramatic effects. Example: “Bittersweet memories.” Explanation: The combination of “bitter” and “sweet” suggests complex emotions associated with the memories.

Usage: Use irony to convey a meaning opposite to the literal meaning, often highlighting discrepancies or unexpected outcomes. Example: “A pilot afraid of heights.” Explanation: The irony lies in the unexpected and contradictory fear of a pilot.

9. Euphemism

Usage: Use euphemisms to replace harsh or blunt terms with milder or more indirect expressions. Example: “He passed away.” Explanation: This euphemism is used instead of saying “he died,” making the statement softer.

Usage: Use puns to play on words with multiple meanings or similar sounds for humorous or rhetorical effect. Example: “Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana.” Explanation: This pun plays on the dual meanings of “flies” and “like,” creating a humorous effect.

11. Synecdoche

Usage: Use synecdoche to refer to a part of something to represent the whole, or vice versa. Example: “All hands on deck.” Explanation: “Hands” represents the sailors, using a part to refer to the whole group.

12. Metonymy

Usage: Use metonymy to replace the name of something with the name of something else closely associated with it. Example: “The pen is mightier than the sword.” Explanation: “Pen” represents writing or diplomacy, while “sword” represents military force.

13. Apostrophe

Usage: Use apostrophe to address a person or entity not present, often to express deep emotion. Example: “O Death, where is thy sting?” Explanation: The speaker directly addresses Death, personifying and dramatizing the concept.

14. Anaphora

Usage: Use anaphora to repeat words or phrases at the beginning of successive clauses for emphasis and rhythm. Example: “Every day, every night, in every way, I am getting better.” Explanation: The repetition of “every” emphasizes the ongoing process of improvement.

Usage: Use antithesis to juxtapose contrasting ideas, highlighting differences and creating tension. Example: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” Explanation: The contrast between “best” and “worst” emphasizes the extremes of the situation.

What is a figure of speech?

A figure of speech is a rhetorical device that uses language in a non-literal or unusual way to create a particular effect or meaning.

Why are figures of speech important?

Figures of speech enhance expressiveness, add vivid imagery, emphasize points, and engage the audience, making communication more effective and memorable.

What is the difference between a simile and a metaphor?

A simile uses “like” or “as” to compare two things, while a metaphor directly states that one thing is another.

Can you give an example of personification?

Sure! “The wind whispered through the trees” gives human traits (whispering) to the wind, making it more relatable and vivid.

What is hyperbole?

Hyperbole is an extreme exaggeration used for emphasis or effect, such as “I’m so hungry I could eat a horse.”

How does alliteration enhance writing?

Alliteration, the repetition of initial consonant sounds, adds rhythm, musicality, and emphasis to writing, making it more engaging and memorable.

What is the purpose of using irony?

Irony highlights discrepancies between expectations and reality, often to create humor or emphasize a point, adding depth to the message.

How do puns work in language?

Puns play on words with multiple meanings or similar sounds to create humor or a rhetorical effect, making language playful and engaging.

What is the effect of using an oxymoron?

An oxymoron combines contradictory terms to reveal deeper truths, create dramatic effects, or highlight complex emotions, such as “bittersweet.”

How can figures of speech improve my writing?

Figures of speech add expressiveness, clarity, and creativity to your writing, making it more engaging, memorable, and impactful for the audience.

Text prompt

• Instructive
• Professional

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