Figurative Language Vocabulary

words or phrases that mean something different than what they actually say

• figurative language

• symbolism

• allusion

• idiom

a comparison using like or as

• similie

• metaphor

• allusion

• onomatopoeia

a comparison that does NOT use the words like or as

• similie

• metaphor

• personification

• oxymoron

a phrase of two or more words that contradict each other

• idiom

• oxymoron

• allusion

• hyperbole

giving human qualities to nonhuman things

• allusion

• symbolism

• similie

• personification

a sound word that lets you hear the sound as you say the word

• onomatopoeia

• personification

• oxymoron

• similie

an extreme exaggeration

• hyperbole

• idiom

• metaphor

• personification

a reference to a well known story, event, object, or person

• allusion

• metaphor

• personification

• reference

a common word or phrase that is not meant to be taken literally

• idiom

• idiot

• similie

• hyperbole

objects or words used to hold the meaning or qualities of something else

• personification

• symbolism

• allusion

• idiom