Onomatopea vs. Onomatopoeia — Which is Correct Spelling?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on March 27, 2024
"Onomatopea" is the wrong spelling. The correct spelling is "Onomatopoeia," referring to words imitating sounds.
Table of Contents
Which is correct: Onomatopea or Onomatopoeia
How to spell Onomatopoeia?
Onomatopea
Incorrect Spelling
Onomatopoeia
Correct Spelling
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Key Differences
Split it: Ono-mato-poeia.
Remember it has "poe" like the poet, Edgar Allan Poe.
The word has four 'o's: Onomatopoeia.
Think of a "mat" in the middle: Onomatopoeia.
It’s like “Oh no! Mat (the) Poe I.A.” for a mnemonic.
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How Do You Spell Onomatopoeia Correctly?
Incorrect: He taught us how to use onomatopea in our writing.
Correct: He taught us how to use onomatopoeia in our writing.
Incorrect: Onomatopea words mimic sounds.
Correct: Onomatopoeia words mimic sounds.
Incorrect: Children love the onomatopea in comic books.
Correct: Children love the onomatopoeia in comic books.
Incorrect: I enjoy reading stories with onomatopea.
Correct: I enjoy reading stories with onomatopoeia.
Incorrect: The writer used onomatopea for the sound of rain.
Correct: The writer used onomatopoeia for the sound of rain.
Onomatopoeia Definitions
Onomatopoeia (also onomatopeia in American English), is the process of creating a word that phonetically imitates, resembles, or suggests the sound that it describes. Such a word itself is also called an onomatopoeia.
The formation or use of words such as buzz or murmur that imitate the sounds associated with the objects or actions they refer to.
(uncountable) The property of a word of sounding like what it represents.
(countable) A word that sounds like what it represents, such as "gurgle," "stutter," or "hiss".
(countable) A word that appropriates a sound for another sensation or a perceived nature, such as "thud", "beep", or "meow"; an ideophone, phenomime.
The use of language whose sound imitates that which it names.
The formation of words in imitation of sounds; a figure of speech in which the sound of a word is imitative of the sound of the thing which the word represents; as, the buzz of bees; the hiss of a goose; the crackle of fire.
Using words that imitate the sound they denote
Onomatopoeia Meaning in a Sentence
The word "buzz" is an example of onomatopoeia.
Comic books are full of onomatopoeia like "pow" and "bang."
Children's books often use onomatopoeia to engage young readers.
"Crash" is an onomatopoeia that conveys the sound of something breaking.
The poem used onomatopoeia to describe the storm.
Onomatopoeia is a fun way to make stories come alive.
"Whisper" is a gentle form of onomatopoeia.
Onomatopoeia like "meow" helps to describe the sound animals make.
"Rustle" is an onomatopoeia for the sound of leaves moving.
Writers use onomatopoeia to create a sound effect in the reader's mind.
The word "drip" is onomatopoeia for the sound of a leaking faucet.
Onomatopoeia like "snore" vividly describes the sound of someone sleeping.
"Slam" is an onomatopoeia used for the sound of a door closing forcefully.
"Thud" is an onomatopoeia for a heavy object falling or hitting the ground.
Using onomatopoeia in poetry can create a more immersive experience for the reader.
The word "sizzle" is onomatopoeia that describes the sound of frying.
"Click" is an onomatopoeia used when describing the sound of a door latch.
In horror stories, "creak" is an onomatopoeia that adds a spooky atmosphere.
"Beep" is an onomatopoeia often used for electronic sounds.
The onomatopoeia "whoosh" describes a swift and smooth movement.
Writers use onomatopoeia like "murmur" to describe quiet conversation.
The onomatopoeia "splash" brings to mind the sound of water being disturbed.
The sound of a clock is often written as "tick-tock," an example of onomatopoeia.
The word "gulp" is onomatopoeia for the act of swallowing quickly.
"Chirp" is an onomatopoeia that imitates the sound of small birds.
Common Curiosities
What is the pronunciation of Onomatopoeia?
Pronounced as /ˌɑːnəˌmætəˈpiːə/.
Which conjunction is used with Onomatopoeia?
Any conjunction can be used based on context.
Why is it called Onomatopoeia?
Derived from Greek "onoma" (name) + "poiein" (to make); it's "making a name" from a sound.
What is the plural form of Onomatopoeia?
Onomatopoeias or Onomatopoeiae.
Is Onomatopoeia an abstract noun?
No, it refers to specific sound-imitative words.
What is the root word of Onomatopoeia?
Derived from Greek words "onoma" (name) and "poiein" (to make).
Which vowel is used before Onomatopoeia?
"an," as in "an onomatopoeia."
What is the singular form of Onomatopoeia?
Onomatopoeia.
Which preposition is used with Onomatopoeia?
"of," as in "onomatopoeia of a bird's chirp."
Is Onomatopoeia an adverb?
No.
What is the verb form of Onomatopoeia?
Onomatopoeize.
Is Onomatopoeia a noun or adjective?
Noun.
Is Onomatopoeia a negative or positive word?
Neutral.
Is Onomatopoeia a collective noun?
No.
What is the third form of Onomatopoeia?
Onomatopoeia doesn't have verb forms.
Which article is used with Onomatopoeia?
"an."
How many syllables are in Onomatopoeia?
Six syllables.
What part of speech is Onomatopoeia?
Noun.
What is the opposite of Onomatopoeia?
There isn't a direct opposite, but a non-imitative word could be conceptually opposite.
What is the second form of Onomatopoeia?
Onomatopoeia doesn't have verb forms.
Is the word Onomatopoeia imperative?
No.
How do we divide Onomatopoeia into syllables?
On-o-mat-o-poe-ia.
What is another term for Onomatopoeia?
Sound-imitative word.
Which determiner is used with Onomatopoeia?
"this," as in "this onomatopoeia."
Is Onomatopoeia a vowel or consonant?
"Onomatopoeia" is a word, not a single letter.
Is Onomatopoeia a countable noun?
Yes.
Is the Onomatopoeia term a metaphor?
No, but it can be used metaphorically.
What is a stressed syllable in Onomatopoeia?
The fifth syllable, "poe."
What is the first form of Onomatopoeia?
Onomatopoeia doesn't have verb forms.
How is Onomatopoeia used in a sentence?
"The word 'clang' is an onomatopoeia representing the sound of metal striking."
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Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
