Figure of Speech
Figure of Speech
Figure of Speech
A figure of speech is a word or a phrase that is used to create an effect.
SL Words Meaning in English
1 Simile It compares two different things using the words 'like' or 'as'.
Eg:- 1. He ran as a Cheetah.
2. He looks like a lion among the hyenas.
3. He fought as a tiger.
SL Words Meaning in English
2 Metaphor It directly refers to one thing by mentioning another.
Eg:- 1. His help was a shower of rain on a hot summer afternoon.
2. Laughter is the music of the soul.
3. Life is a journey.
SL Words Meaning in English
It is a figure of speech in which a non-living thing is
3 Personification
described to look like a person.
Eg:- 1. The wind howled in the night and lightning danced across the sky.
2. At 7 am my alarm clock yells at me and orders me to get out of bed.
3. Fear gripped the world as the virus played havoc.
4. Love is blind.
5. Experience is the best teacher.
6. A lie has no leg.
SL Words Meaning in English
In it, two or more neighbouring words have the same
4 Alliteration
consonant sound.
Eg:- 1. Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.
2. Black bug bit a big black bear.
3. Dancing daffodils.
SL Words Meaning in English
In this figure of speech exaggeration is used for emphasis or
5 Hyperbole
effect.
Eg:- 1. I am so hungry that I can eat a horse
2. Pin drop silence.
3. Million dollar smile.
4. As thin as a toothpick
SL Words Meaning in English
In it, words are based on the actual sound the thing
6 Onomatopoeia
produces.
Eg:- Splash, buzz, hiss, pop, boom.
SL Words Meaning in English
7 Paradox In it, the statement appears to contradict itself.
Eg:- 1. You earn money by spending it.
2. This is the beginning of the end.
3. Less is more.
4. The more I knew, the more I felt I didn't know.
SL Words Meaning in English
The use of words to convey a meaning opposite to what is
8 Irony
actually said.
Eg:- 1. Water water everywhere but not a drop to drink.
2. The fool knows more than you.
3. The unsinkable Titanic sank on its first voyage.
SL Words Meaning in English
It refers to a famous person, place or historical event either
9 Allusion
directly or through implication.
Eg:- 1. Her English is her Achilles heel.
2. She is the Argus of the gang.
3. We had an Einstein in our country.
4. He met his waterloo.
SL Words Meaning in English
It involves words with similar sound but with different
10 Pun
meaning.
Eg:- 1. Your heart is a grave where your old flame rests in peace.
2. A leopard cannot change its spots.
3. A picture tells a thousand words.
4. A bicycle cannot stand as it is two tired.
SL Words Meaning in English
It refers to mild or indirect term that often substitutes a
11 Euphemism
harsh or offensive term.
Eg:- 1. He passed away (instead of 'He died’)
2. It was a pre-owned car. (Instead of 'It was a second hand car)
SL Words Meaning in English
12 Oxymoron Two words with opposite meanings used together.
Eg:- deafening silence.
SL Words Meaning in English
A story, play or picture in which each character or event is
13 Allegory a symbol representing an idea or a quality such as truth,
evil etc.
Eg:- Ramayana is an allegory of the triumph of good over evil.
