A figure of speech refers to a word or phrase used in a non-literal sense for rhetorical or vivid effect. Below, we will take a look at the 10 most common figures of speech in English.
A figure of speech is used to make writing more interesting as it expresses something in another way than its literal meaning. Here are the 10 most common figures of speech in English.
Metaphor
A methaphor is a comparison between two different things, which share something in common. For example:
The world is your oyster.
Metonymy
This refers to a phrase that is replaced with another phrase with a similar meaning used to describe something in an indirect manner, such as:
I remain loyal to the crown.
Onomatopoeia
Onomatopoeia is a word that resembles the sound it describes, for example:
The clock ticks loudly.
Oxymoron
An oxymoron is when two words in the same sentence contradict one another, such as:
The girl next door is pretty ugly.
Paradox
A paradox is a statement that contradicts itself.
Deep down, Sophia is really shallow.
Simile
A phrase that compares something to something else using the words "like" or "as".
Her hair was as golden as the sun.
Synecdoche
When only part of something is expressed to relate to the whole, it's called a synecdoche.
He just got some new wheels.
Understatement
An understatement is a statement that is made to be less important than what is actually conveyed.
I only have four million dollars.
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