Word or phrase possessing a different meaning from its literal definition is called a figure of speech. Different types of figures of speech in English are used for expressing different meanings.
This is an integral part of the English language and can be found in poetry, oral literature and even in everyday conversations. For eye-catching purposes and also for adding humour, advertising slogans, newspaper headlines, greeting-card rhymes, captions of images etc use different types of figures of speech.
Figurative speech makes communication even more expressive and creative. These have always been a huge part of the English language and even today also more additions are being done. Let’s check out the different kinds of figures of speech and meaning.
Types of Figurative Speech in English
Figurative speech is used for conveying difficult meaning and also for bringing clarity in writing. These are used for indirectly stating something which an ordinary sentence can not do. Let’s check the types of figurative speech:
What is a Figure of Speech?
A figure of speech is a departure from normal word usage in order to increase the effectiveness of the words. It is essentially a symbolic language made up of a single phrase or word. To convey a meaning other than the literal meaning, it could be a metaphor, simile, or personification.
Importance of Figure of Speech
It adds to the elegance of the writing. It adds depth to the sentence and gives the reader a sense of awe. It breathes life into the writer’s words.
They demonstrate not only the writer’s intention but also his motivation for employing such language.
It gives the writing more flavour and makes it more enjoyable for the reader.
Also Read: Tongue Twisters in English From A-Z: Tips to Improve Your English Fluency
Metaphor
This is used for comparing two unlike or unrelated things or ideas which have some common qualities. Metaphor is used for representing ideas through comparison.
Example of Common Metaphor Figures of Speech
Her father has a heart of stone.
Love is a battlefield.
He went through a rollercoaster of emotions.
Chaos is a friend of hers.
He was drowning in a sea of grief.
The classroom is a zoo.
I am a night owl.
He behaved like a pig at the dinner party.
The stormy sea looks like a raging bull.
She was a swan dancing across the stage.
Her mother’s eyes were fireflies.
The alligator’s teeth are white daggers.
The equipment at the laboratory is old dinosaurs.
Jenny was a chicken.
His dad is a road hog.
Our teacher was a dragon.
Some more Example of Metaphor in English
Her kid is a shining star.
Donations to the charity were a tsunami.
The stadium was a lake after the rain.
The sun is a golden ball.
The clouds were balls of cotton.
That lawn is a green carpet.
Her eyes are sparkling diamonds.
His temper was a volcano, ready to explode.
These two friends are two peas in a pod.
Kisses are the flowers of affection.
The calm lake in the forest was a mirror.
The full moon is a white balloon.
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Simile
Simile is used for comparing two unlike or unrelated things or ideas using the words like or as. This type of figurative speech is very much used in daily conversations.
Example of Simile Figures of Speech
As tough as rock
As hard as nails
As hot as hell
As innocent as a lamb
As sweet as sugar
As black as coal
As tall as a giraffe
As common as dirt
As cold as ice
As white as a ghost
As cute as a kitten
As bright as a button
As blind as a bat
As happy as a clam
As light as cotton
As shiny as gold.
As bold as brass
As dry as a bone
As deep as the sea.
Fits like a sock.
Ate like a pig.
Sleeping like a dog.
As brave as a lion.
Some more Example of Simile in English
As sly as a fox
As clear as day.
As big as an elephant.
As busy as a bee
As sharp as a razor.
As tough as an old boot.
As easy as pie
Like a fish out of water
Cuts like butter.
Moves like a snail.
Soft like velvet.
Ran like lightning.
Teeth like razors.
Slept like a baby.
As sweet as honey.
Hyperbole
This is an exaggeration created to bring out humour or emphasize a point. These exaggerations are too monstrous to be the truth. This is used for adding depth to a statement.
Example of Hyperbole Figures of Speech
Older than the hills.
Her brain is the size of a pea
I have a million things to do today.
I had a ton of work.
I’ll die if I can’t buy that perfect diamond ring.
She’s as skinny as a toothpick.
The bus passed faster than the speed of light.
His new car cost a gazillion dollars.
They act as if they are too poor to have two cents to rub together.
That dress is so old, the last time he wore it he was riding a dinosaur.
They’ve got tons of money.
You could have knocked me over with a feather.
She is so thin that the wind can carry her.
Example of Hyperbole
“So first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”
-Franklin Delano Roosevelt, First Inaugural Address.
“Please sit down because having produced nine million award shows, I know the producer’s up there saying, ‘Hurry, say thanks fast’.”
-Dick Clark, Daytime Emmy Award Acceptance Address.
“I think this is the most extraordinary collection of human talent, of human knowledge, that has ever been gathered at the White House with the possible exception of when Thomas Jefferson dined alone.”
-President John F. Kennedy, White House dinner honouring Nobel Prize winners.
“That year, 1967, the Dallas Cowboys had 137 rookies in training camp. Gil Brandt was signing everybody that could walk. Only five made the team that year, and I was one of the five.”
-Larry Rayfield Wright, Pro Football Hall of Fame Induction Address.
Synecdoche
This is one of the types where one part refers to the whole or vice versa. Let’s look at some of the examples to understand this better.
Example of Synecdoche Common Figures of Speech
“Glasses” refer to eyewear.
“Bread” refers to food
“Wheels” refers to a vehicle.
“Boots” refers to soldiers.
“Sails” is often used to refer to a whole ship.
“Bubbly” refers to champagne.
“Hired hands” is used to refer to workers.
“Head” refers to counting people.
In good hands.
Also Read: Vocabulary Words with Meaning and Sentences: Enrich and Enhance Your English
Personification
In this type, non-living objects are given human characteristics. Let’s check out some of the examples.
Examples of Personification Figurative Speech
Lightning danced across the sky.
The car complained as the key was roughly turned in its ignition.
The car’s headlights winked at her.
The wind howled in the night.
The moon is playing hide and seek with the clouds.
My alarm clock yells every morning.
My house is a friend who protects me.
The last piece of the pie is calling me.
As if the door protested as it opened slowly.
The flowers are begging for water.
The stairs groaned as they walked on them.
The camera loves her since she is so pretty.
The vacuum hums a happy tune while cleaning the floor.
Examples of Personification in Poetry
-
“The night was creeping on the ground!
She crept and did not make a sound.” – James Stephens’ Check.
-
“Hey, diddle, diddle,
The cat and the fiddle,
The cow jumped over the moon;
The little dog laughed
To see such sport,
And the dish ran away with the spoon.” – A popular nursery rhyme
-
“The fog comes
on little cat feet.
It sits looking
over harbour and city
on silent haunches
and then moves on.” – Carl Sandburg’s The Fog.
Onomatopoeia
This is used to talk about something or some action by imitating the sound related to it. Check the examples to understand them better.
Examples of Onomatopoeia- A Type of Figurative Speech
Buzzing bee.
The cup fell into the sea with a splash.
The bottle fell on the chair with a thump.
I couldn’t sleep because of the rustling leaves.
We looked at the roaring.
Also Read: Apostrophe Figure of Speech: Know How to Learn English Fast in 4 Steps
Examples of Onomatopoeia in Literature
- For Whom the Bell Tolls by Ernest Hemingway
“He saw nothing and heard nothing but he could feel his heart pounding and then he heard the clack on stone and the leaping, dropping clicks of a small rock falling.”
- Get Me to the Church on Time by Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe
“I’m getting married in the morning!
Ding dong! the bells are gonna chime.”
- The Tempest by William Shakespeare
“Hark, hark!
Bow-wow.
The watch-dogs bark!
Bow-wow.
Hark, hark! I hear
The strain of strutting chanticleer
Cry, ‘cock-a-diddle-dow!’”
- Come Down, O Maid by Alfred Lord Tenny“son
“The moan of doves in immemorial elms,
And murmuring of innumerable bees…”
- The Marvelous Toy by Tom Paxton
“It went zip when it moved and bop when it stopped,
And whirr when it stood still.
I never knew just what it was and I guess I never will.”
Alliteration Figure of Speech
It’s a group of words that all start with the same letter. The repetition of a sound or a letter at the beginning of two or more words is known as alliteration.
Examples of Alliteration
Cream of the crop;
french fry;
hit the hay;
pecan pie;
super-Size;
tough talk;
trick or treat;
rocky road;
no-nonsense;
tough talk;
quick question;
picture perfect;
high heaven;
busy as a bee;
dead as a doornail;
home sweet home;
living life;
out of order;
right as rain.
Alliteration in Poetry
‘From forth the fatal loins of these two foes…’ (Romeo and Juliet – William Shakespeare)
‘Once upon a midnight dreary while I pondered weak and weary.’ (The Raven – Edgar Allen Poe)
‘Shining sun / Green, green grass / Birds building / New nests’ (Sunny Spring – Twinkl)
Metonymy
Metonymy is derived from the Greek word “metnyma,” which means “name change.” Metonymy is a type in which an object or idea is referred to by the name of a closely related object or idea rather than by its own name. Metonymy is the act of one word or phrase replacing or standing in for another.
Pen as the written word.
Sword as military aggression.
Cradle to the grave.
I have never read Shakespeare. – Here it refers to the works of Shakespeare.
Also Read: What is Figure of Speech in English? Different Types of Figure Speech
Apostrophe
Apostrophe is the type in which a speaker addresses someone (or something) who is not present or who is unable to respond in real life. The entity being addressed could be a living, dead, or imaginary person, but it could also be an inanimate object (such as the stars or the ocean), an abstract concept (such as love or fate), or a being (such as love or fate) (such as a Muse or god).
Examples of Apostrophe Figure of Speech
He likes the shirt’s colour.
Their television’s screen is not as clear as ours.
No matter how hard I try, the refrigerator’s switch is not going to work.
I like this bag’s shape so I use it the most.
Transferred Epithet- Another type of Figurative Speech
She had an unhappy marriage.
They had a lovely day.
I am having a hectic day.
You will have a great day ahead.
Euphemism
Euphemism occurs when harsh or impolite words are replaced with milder terms to express the same meaning.
He has become a little thin on top (bald).
Her maid is in the family way (pregnant).
We were a little tipsy (drunk).
No recruitment for mentally challenged (stupid) people.
She is a special child.
Irony
Irony occurs when words or ideas end up conveying a different meaning, usually one that is diametrically opposed to their original meaning.
His heart is as warm as ice.
His hands were as soft as a brick.
I wrote a blog about how useless blog writing is.
The oil was as cool as burning coal.
Pun- Common Figures of Speech
Pun is a slang term for when a word is used with multiple meanings to create humour or a light-hearted moment.
She has been to the dentist many times before so she knows the drill.
Grammarians are usually very logical. They have a lot of commas.
He was reading while sunbathing and that made him well-read (read).
He was indulged in the thought of how lightning works until it struck him.
Also Read: Pun Figure of Speech: Get to Know What is Pun with Several Examples
Epigram
Epigram is a rhetorical device that is a satirical statement that is memorable, brief, interesting, and surprising. The word epigramma comes from the Greek word epigramma, which means “inscription” or “inscription.”
Silence is louder than words.
The child is the father of the man. (Wordsworth)
Nobody can make you inferior unless you allow them to.
Be nice to all, start with the man in the mirror.
“Live simply, so that others may simply live.” – Mother Teresa
Antithesis
Antithesis occurs when contrasting words or words with opposite meanings are used near each other in a sentence. Antithesis is a term that refers to opposing ideas.
“Give every man thy ear, but few thy voice.” – William Shakespeare.
“Love is an ideal thing, marriage a real thing.” – Goethe.
“That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” – Neil Armstrong.
“Many are called, but few are chosen.” Matthew 22:14.
Oxymoron- A Different Type of Figure of Speech
Let us be alone together.
By his attitude, it looks like he is growing smaller day by day.
There was a small crowd in the market.
“I can believe anything, provided that it is quite incredible.” – Oscar Wilde
Litotes
You can do it, it’s not rocket science. (it’s simple)
She isn’t the brightest bulb in the office. (Somewhat dumb)
Make-up was never my cup of tea. (Don’t like make-up)
He didn’t deny that it was wrong. (Admitting that it was wrong)
Also Read: Best App to Learn English Speaking Fluently: Check Out the English Learning Platforms
Interrogation- Another Type of Figure of Speech in English
Interrogation is when a rhetorical question is asked solely for dramatic effect rather than to elicit an answer.
To whom shall I hand over the papers?
Why did they leave so late?
Was there any particular reason behind his stomach ache?
Would you like some tea or coffee?
They’ve been together for a long time, haven’t they?
Exclamation
Exclamation occurs when ideas or words express strong emotions such as surprise, joy, or anger. In this type, words or sentences end in an exclamation mark.
You look gorgeous!
Hey! can’t you hear me?
Hell no! I had no intention of going there.
Wow! I can’t believe that you actually came.
Climax- Common Figures of Speech
Martin Luther King, I Have a Dream
“This note was a promise that all men, yes, black men as well as white men, would be guaranteed the “unalienable Rights” of “Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
Shakespeare, The Passionate Pilgrim
Beauty is but a vain and doubtful good;
A shining gloss that vadeth suddenly;
A flower that dies when first it gins to bud;
A brittle glass that’s broken presently:
A doubtful good, a gloss, a glass, a flower,
Lost, vaded, broken, dead within an hour.
Anaphora Figure of Speech
Anaphora is the type in which the first words of successive clauses, phrases, or sentences are repeated. Anaphora is related to epistrophe, which is when words are repeated at the end of clauses, phrases, or sentences. The word “anaphora” means “to carry up or back” in Greek.
Also Read: Anaphora Figure of Speech: Know How to Use it and Accelerate Your English?
Examples of Anaphora
Many examples of anaphora can be found in the Old Testament of the Bible’s Song of Songs. There are two separate uses of anaphora in this instance (from Chapter Four, Verses One and Two): the first is the speaker’s celebration of his bride’s beauty, and the second is a list of her admirable qualities.
Look at you! You are beautiful, my darling.
Look at you! You are so beautiful.
Your eyes behind your veil are doves
your hair is like a flock of goats
coming down from Mt. Gilead.
Your teeth are like a flock of sheep about to be sheared,
who are coming up from being washed.
Repetition Figure of Speech
A literary device in which a word or phrase is repeated two or more times is known as repetition. Because repetition takes so many different forms, it is rarely thought of as a single type. Instead, consider repetition as a broad category that encompasses a variety of more specific figures of speech, all of which employ repetition in different ways.
Examples of Repetition
Bob Dylan won the Nobel prize for literature for the genius of his lyrics. His song “Masters of War” shows how polysyndeton can be used to build a specific emotion:
“And I hope that you die
And your death will come soon
I will follow your casket
In the pale afternoon
And I’ll watch while you’re lowered
Down to your deathbed
And I’ll stand over your grave
‘Til I’m sure that you’re dead”
The final lines of this song of protest against the politicians behind the Vietnam War are filled with rage and disgust. Dylan’s use of polysyndeton allows him to add phrase after phrase, far beyond where listeners might expect him to stop, in order to fully convey the depth of his rage and hatred for the politicians he refers to as “masters of war.”
Conclusion
Hopefully, this article will give you a clear idea about all figures of speech. After you understand the concept well and become able to identify which figures of speech are called what, then try marking them out whenever you find any. Keep reading books and novels and also keep an eye on this page for more information that will definitely help you learn better English.
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Also Read: Repetition Figure of Speech: Know How to Use this Figure of Speech?
