Figures of speech use words in expressive or nonliteral ways to create emphasis, comparison, imagery, contrast, rhythm, or a stronger effect. They appear in everyday conversation, literature, speeches, advertising, and many other forms of communication.
Start with 28 Figures of Speech in English for an overview of the main types and examples. You can then explore detailed lessons on simile, metaphor, personification, hyperbole, irony, oxymoron, euphemism, paradox, rhetorical questions, and other figures of speech.
Epiphora, also called epistrophe, is a figure of speech where the same word or phrase is repeated at the end of sentences or clauses to create emphasis. You notice it when a line keeps returning to the same ending. The…
Antithesis is a literary device that brings two opposite ideas together so the contrast feels clear and immediate. You notice it when a sentence pulls in two directions at once. One idea highlights the other, and the meaning becomes sharper.…
Anaphora is a figure of speech where the same word or phrase is repeated at the beginning of sentences or clauses to create emphasis. You hear it more often than you notice. A speaker repeats a line, a writer builds…
Metonymy is a way of referring to something by using a word that is closely connected to it. Instead of naming the thing directly, you use a related term that stands in for it. You already hear this in everyday…
Dramatic irony happens when you know something that a character does not. This difference in knowledge changes how you see the situation as it unfolds. Imagine watching a scene where a character walks into a room, unaware of something important…
Situational irony happens when the outcome of a situation is very different from what you expect. It creates a moment of surprise that makes you pause and rethink what just happened. You see it in everyday life more often than…
Situational irony shows up when the result of a situation is very different from what you expect. These moments stand out because they go against what seems logical or likely. This collection brings together a wide range of real-life examples…
A sentence can sometimes carry more than one meaning without changing a single word. For example: “She gave him a cold look.” At first, it describes an expression. But depending on the situation, it can also suggest distance, disapproval, or…
A sentence like this can make you pause for a moment: “I used to be a banker, but I lost interest.” At first, it sounds like a simple statement. But the word “interest” carries two meanings. That is what makes…
An oxymoron is a figure of speech where two opposite or contradictory words are used together to express a clear idea. You may have heard phrases like “bittersweet” or “deafening silence.” These combinations may seem strange at first, but they…
When words sound good together, there’s usually a reason behind it. Writers and poets use sound devices to build rhythm, set a mood, and create emphasis in their work. Three of the most common sound devices are alliteration, assonance, and…
Sarcasm is a sharp, witty way of saying one thing while meaning the opposite. People use it to tease, comment on a situation, or highlight something that feels obvious. What Is Sarcasm? Sarcasm is a form of verbal irony where…