- Today's Word
Onomatopoeia
[on-uh-mat-uh-PEE-uh]
Definition
- (noun) Words that phonetically imitate, resemble, or suggest the sound they describe. These are words that sound like what they mean, creating a sound effect that mimics the actual sound.
Example
The comic book was filled with onomatopoeia, with “boom,” “crash,” and “pow” bringing the action scenes to life through vivid sound effects.
Fun Fact
The word “onomatopoeia” itself is not an onomatopoeia. It comes from the Greek words “onoma” (name) and “poiein” (to make), literally meaning “the making of a name (or sound).” Interestingly, many onomatopoeic words differ across languages, reflecting how different cultures interpret and represent sounds.
(adjective) Of no value or importance; worthless or futile.
The committee’s recommendations proved nugatory since no one had the authority to implement them.
Early 17th century: from Latin “nugatorius,” from “nugari” meaning “to trifle,” derived from “nugae” meaning “jests” or “trifles.”