Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
ideophone
noun
/ˌaɪ.dɪəˈfoʊn/
Definition
A word that evokes an idea in sound, often creating a vivid image or sensation.
Examples
- The word ‘buzz’ is an ideophone that suggests the sound of buzzing.
- In the poem, the author used ideophones like ‘crash’ and ‘whisper’ to evoke strong sensations.
- Some indigenous languages have numerous ideophones that convey different feelings and movements.
Meaning
Ideophones are words that express a sensory experience through their sound, capturing the essence of that experience in a unique way.
Synonyms
- Onomatopoeia
- Sensory word
- Sound symbolism
