Figure of Speech,Types, Examples

Here, figure of speech, definition, types and examples are given in very easy way. Check out it for better understanding of various kind of figures of speech. It will be fruitful for all students of class 11, 12 and graduate and competition .

What is figure of Speech ?

A figure of speech is a departure from the ordinary order to produce a greater effect. A figure of speech is a rhetorical device or linguistic expression that involves the use of words in a way that deviates from their literal meaning to convey a more vivid, imaginative, or expressive effect. Figures of speech are often used to create emphasis, evoke emotion, or add beauty to language. They are common in literature, poetry, and everyday language.

Types of Figure of Speech

A figure of speech is a word or phrase used for vivid or dramatic effect. The following figures of speech are commonly used in order to impart vividity, beauty and effectiveness to language :

Alliteration

It is the repetition of the same consonant sound at the beginning of two or more words. It is a sequence of repeated initial sounds usually before stressed syllables .

S. N.	Examples
1.	Full fathom five thy father lies.
2.	Sally sells sea shells by the seashore.
3.	Rascals and rogues ran a race round and round the rugged rock.
4.	Reena runs a race rapidly.
5.	Fair is foul and foul is fair.

Anadiplosis

Anadiplosis is repeating the last word of a clause at the beginning of the next clause. It is a figure of speech where a word or phrase at the end of one clause or sentence is repeated at the beginning of the next clause or sentence. This repetition creates a connection between the two thoughts and can be used for emphasis or to create a flowing, rhythmic effect. Here are a few examples of anadiplosis:

S.N.	Examples
1.	Talent is an adornment; an adornment is also a concealment.
2.	Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, hate leads to suffering.
3.	The mountains look on Marathon – And Marathon looks on the sea…
4.	Suffering breeds character; character breeds faith; in the end, faith will not disappoint.
5.	The crime was common, common be the pain. The pain was mutual, mutual be the gain.
6.	He retained his virtues amidst all his – misfortunes. Misfortunes which no prudence could foresee or prevent

Anagram

An anagram is a word or phrase formed by rearranging the letters of another word or phrase, using all the original letters exactly once. From the syllables of a phrase to the individual letters of a word, any fraction can be jumbled to create a new form. It is a form of wordplay that allows the writer to infuse mystery and a little interactive fun in the writing so that the reader can decipher the actual word on their own and discover a depth of meaning to the writing.

S.N.	Examples
1.	”debit card” and “bad credit”
2.	“astronomer” and “moon starer”
3.	“eleven plus two” and “twelve plus one”
4.	“The Morse Code” and “Here come dots”
5.	”Clint Eastwood” and “Old West action”
6.	“funeral” and “real fun”

Anaphora

Anaphora is the intentional repetition of beginning clauses in order to create an artistic effect. Anaphora is a rhetorical device where a word or phrase is repeated at the beginning of successive clauses, sentences, or verses in order to create a rhetorical effect. This repetition helps to emphasize a particular idea, create rhythm, and make the writing more memorable. Anaphora is commonly used in both literature and public speaking to evoke emotion and engage the audience. Here are a couple of examples:

S.N.	Examples
1.	“We shall not flag or fail. We shall go on the end. We shall fight in France. We shall fight on the seas and oceans. We shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air. We shall defend our island, whatever the cost shall be.”
2.	“So let freedom ring from the prodigious hilltops of New Hampshire. Let freedom ring from the mighty mountains of New York. Let freedom ring from the heightening Alleghenies of Pennsylvania. Let freedom ring from the snow-capped Rockies of Colorado. Let freedom ring from the curvaceous slopes of California.”
3.	“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair.

Anastrophe

Anastrophe is a figure of speech in which the normal word order of a sentence is reversed or rearranged for emphasis or stylistic effect. This deviation from the typical syntax can draw attention to a particular word or idea, create a sense of urgency, or contribute to a poetic or rhetorical flourish. Anastrophe is often used in literature and poetry to add variety to language. Here are a few examples:

S.N.	Examples
1.	“Much to learn, you still have.” (Normal order: “You still have much to learn.”)
2.	“This above all: to thine own self be true.” (Normal order: “Above all, be true to thine own self.”)
3.	“Size matters not. Look at me. Judge me by my size, do you?” (Normal order: “Size does not matter. Look at me. Do you judge me by my size?”)
4.	“Him the Almighty Power Hurl’d headlong flaming from th’ Ethereal Sky.” (Normal order: “The Almighty Power hurled him headlong flaming from the Ethereal Sky.”)
5.	“A Jedi’s strength flows from the Force.” (Normal order: “A Jedi’s strength flows from the Force.”)

Apostrophe

Apostrophe is a figure of speech in which there is direct address to the dead or to the absent. Apostrophe is a figure of speech in which a speaker addresses an absent or imaginary person, an inanimate object, or an abstract concept. The speaker may directly speak to the entity as if it were present, even though it is not. This literary device is often used to convey strong emotions, to add emphasis, or to create a dramatic or theatrical effect.

S.N.	Examples
1.	Liberty ! Why are you so dear?
2.	Death! Come soon.
3.	Milton! Thou shouldst be living at this hour.
4.	World! O Life! O Time!
5.	Solitude! Where are they charms?
6.	Mighty Caesar! Dost thou lie so low?
7.	Life! I know not what thou art.
8.	O Solitude! Where are the charms ?
9.	O Fame! If I ever took delight in thy praises.
10.	Frailty, thy name is woman!
11.	O Judgment ! Thou art fled to brutish beasts.
12.	O Grave! Where is thy victory?
13.	O, pardon me, thou bleeding piece of earth, That I am meek and gentle with these butchers!

Assonance

Assonance is a literary device characterized by the repetition of vowel sounds in nearby or neighboring words. These vowel sounds may occur at the beginning, middle, or end of words. Assonance is often used to create melody, emphasize particular emotions, or add a musical quality to language. Unlike rhyme, which involves the repetition of both consonant and vowel sounds, assonance focuses specifically on vowel sounds.

S.N.	Examples
1.	“The rain in Spain falls mainly on the plain.” ( In this example, the long “a” sound is repeated in “rain,” “Spain,” and “plain.”)
2.	“Go slow over the road.” (The long “o” sound is repeated in “go,” “slow,” and “road.”)
3.	“He gave a nod to the dog.” (The short “o” sound is repeated in “nod” and “dog.”)
4.	“The light of the fire is bright.” ( The long “i” sound is repeated in “light” and “bright.”)
5.	“Hear the mellow wedding bells.” (The long “e” sound is repeated in “hear,” “mellow,” and “bells.”)

Anticlimax

Anticlimax is a sudden descent (fall) from higher to lower. It’s chiefly used for the purpose of satire or ridicule. In other words, Anticlimax is a figure of speech where a series of ideas or expressions builds up in intensity, but the final statement or conclusion is unexpectedly less significant, impactful, or impressive than what precedes it.

S.N.	Examples
1.	Here thou, great Anna! Whome three realms obey, Dost sometimes counsel take and sometimes tea.
2.	And thou, Dalhousie, the great god of war Lieutenant-Colonel to the Earl of Mar.
3.	The soldier fights for glory, and a shilling a day.
4.	To lose one parent, Mr. Worthing, may be regarded as a misfortune; to lose both looks like carelessness.

Antithesis

Antithesis is the Juxtaposition of opposing or contrasting ideas in a sentence. It is a figure of speech in which two opposite or contrasting ideas are juxtaposed within a parallel grammatical structure. This literary device is often used to create a sense of balance and emphasis, highlight the differences between concepts, or make a point through the stark contrast between opposing elements.

S.N.	Examples
1.	Man proposes, God disposes.
2.	To err is human, to forgive divine.
3.	Speech is silvern, but silence is golden.
4.	Many are called, but few are chosen.
5.	Give every man thy ear, but few thy voice.
6.	Not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more.
7.	Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.

Climax

Climax is the arrangement of a series of ideas in the order of increasing importance.

S.N.	Examples
1.	Simple, erect, severe, austere, sublime
2.	What a piece of work is man! How noble in reason, how infinite in faculties! In action, how like an angel! In apprehension, how like a god!
3.	To gossip is a fault; to libel, a crime; to slander. a sin.
4.	I came, I saw, I conquered.

Euphemism

Euphemism consists in the description of a disagreeable thing by an agreeable name. It is an expression that is gentler or less direct than the one normally used to refer to something unpleasant or embarrassing .

S.N.	Examples
1.	I’m sorry to hear that your grandfather passed away. (Passed away instead of died)
2.	Unfortunately, due to budget cuts, several employees were let go. (Let go instead of fired)
3.	She is visually challenged and uses a guide dog for assistance. (Visually challenged instead of blind)
4.	The community center offers programs for senior citizens. (Senior citizen instead of old person)
5.	He tends to be economical with the truth when discussing his achievements. (Economical with the truth instead of lying)
6.	Excuse me, where is the comfort room? (Comfort room instead of restroom or bathroom)
7.	The company is going through a period of downsizing to streamline operations.(Downsizing instead of layoffs)

Hyperbole

Hyperbole is a figure of speech in which things are shown as greater or smaller better or worse than they really are . Hyperbole is a figure of speech in which exaggeration is used for emphasis or effect. It involves stretching the truth or making statements that are not meant to be taken literally. Hyperbole is often used in everyday language, literature, and poetry to create a vivid or dramatic impact, to emphasize a point, or to add humor. It is an intentional overstatement, meant to convey a heightened sense of emotion or importance.

S.N.	Examples
1.	She wept ocean of tears.
2.	Rivers of blood flowed in the battle.
3.	Why, man, if the river were dry, I am able to fill with tears.
4.	Hamlet! Thou hast cleft my heart in twain.
5.	All the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand.
6.	Is this the face that launched a thousand ships And burned the topless towers of Illium .
7.	I loved Ophelia: forty thousand brothers Could not with all their quantity of love.

Irony

Irony is a mode of speech in which the real meaning is exactly the opposite of that which is literally conveyed. Irony is a figure of speech in which there is a discrepancy between what is said and what is meant, what is expected to happen and what actually happens, or between appearance and reality. Irony often involves a surprising or unexpected twist that goes against the literal or surface meaning of a statement.

S.N.	Examples
1.	No doubt but ye are the people, and wisdom shall die with you.
2.	I must be taught my duty, and by you!
3.	You are a pretty fellow.
4.	One truth is clear; whatever is, is right.
5.	The atrocious crime of being a young man, which the honourable gentleman has, with such spirit and decency, charged upon me. I shall neither attempt to palliate nor deny.
6.	Here under leave of Brutus and the rest For Brutus is an honourable man: So are they all, all honourable men) Come I to speak in Caesar’s funeral. He was my friend, faithful and just to me: But Brutus says he was ambitious, And Brutus is an honourable man.

Litotes

In this figure of speech , an affirmative is conveyed by negation of the opposite, the effect being to suggest a strong expression by means of a weaker. Litotes is a figure of speech where an affirmative statement is expressed by negating its opposite, creating an understated or modest effect. It involves using double negatives or a negative expression to convey a positive meaning. Litotes often serves to soften the impact of a statement while still affirming the intended meaning.

S.N.	Examples
1.	I am a citizen of no mean city. (a celebrated)
2.	The man is no fool . (very clever)
3.	I am not a little surprised surprised. ( greatly)
4.	The weather is not unpleasant. (perfect)
5.	The task is not difficult. (easy)
6.	She is not ugly. ( beautiful)

Metaphor

Metaphor is a figure of speech in which two objects are compared and treated as one. Words of comparison are not used. It is a direct comparison between two unrelated things, implying that they are similar in some way.

S.N.	Examples
1.	Life is a dream
2.	Life is not a bed of roses.
3.	Life is but a walking shadow.
4.	Friendship is a sheltering tree.
5.	My heart is a lonely hunter that hunts on a lonely hill.
6.	The camel is the ship of desert.
7.	Revenge is a kind of wild justice.
8.	The news was a dagger to his heart.
9.	The waves thundered on the shore.

Metonymy (literally, a change of name)

Metonymy is a word or expression used as a substitute for something with which it is closely associated. In Metonymy , an object is designated by the name of something which is generally associated with it e.g. Crown, for royalty; Lab coats, for scientists; the Bench, for the Judges, the House, for members of Lok sabha; the Laurel, for success.

S.N.	Examples
1.	The White House said. (a house can’t speak! but that the President said it.)
2.	Pen is mightier than the sword. (Concrete words may replace abstraction)
3.	We have read Shakespeare. (Name of an artist may substitute his works)
4.	She is a knock-out. (Cause can replace the effect or vice versa)
5.	Sceptre and crown must tumble down.
6.	The cup that cheers but not inebriates.

Onomatopoeia

Onomatopoeia is a literary device in which the sound suggests its meaning. In other words, Onomatopoeia is a figure of speech in which words imitate the natural sounds they describe. These words mimic the actual sounds associated with the objects or actions they refer to, creating a sensory experience for the reader or listener. Onomatopoeic words are often used to add vividness and sound effects to language, making descriptions more lively and engaging.

Here are some examples of onomatopoeia:

Buzz: The sound of bees or an electronic device.
Hiss: The sound of a snake or steam escaping.
Moo: The sound a cow makes.
Crash: The sound of a loud collision or breaking.
Cuckoo: The sound of a cuckoo bird.
Splash: The sound of something hitting the water.
Chirp: The sound of small birds or crickets.
Sizzle: The sound of food cooking in hot oil or on a grill.
Meow: The sound a cat makes.
Tick-tock: The sound of a clock ticking.

S.N.	Examples
1.	I babble on the pebbles.
2.	Bees hum.
3.	The same sputtering of syllables was hear, Drowned by the tittering of the class.
4.	The murmurous haunt of flies on summer eves.

Oxymoron

Oxymoron is a figure of speech in which two opposite qualities are added to the same thing. An oxymoron is a figure of speech that combines contradictory or opposing ideas to create a paradoxical effect. It involves using words that have contrasting meanings or ideas within the same phrase or expression. Oxymorons are often employed to highlight the complexity or irony of a situation, add depth to language, or create a memorable and thought-provoking statement.

Here are some examples of oxymorons:

Deafening silence: The juxtaposition of “deafening” and “silence” emphasizes a silence that is so profound it feels loud.
Jumbo shrimp: Combining “jumbo,” meaning large, with “shrimp,” which is a small crustacean, creates a paradoxical description.
Living dead: This oxymoron is commonly used to describe creatures like zombies—entities that are both alive and dead.
Open secret: The phrase suggests that something is widely known, yet it is still considered a secret.
Act naturally: This oxymoron instructs someone to behave in a natural way, but using the word “act” implies a level of artificiality.
Seriously funny: Combining “seriously,” indicating a serious tone, with “funny,” which is associated with humor, creates a paradoxical expression.
Same difference: This phrase is often used to highlight a trivial or negligible distinction between two things.
Original copy: The juxtaposition of “original” and “copy” in this oxymoron emphasizes the paradox of something being both authentic and a duplicate.

S.N.	Examples
1	And having nothing he hath all.
2.	He is regularly irregular.
3.	Why then, O brawling love, O loving hate.
4.	His honour rooted in dishonour stood. And faith unfaithful kept him falsely true.
5.	So innocent arch, so cunningly simple.
6.	She accepted it as the kind cruelty of the Surgeon’s knife.

Paradox

Paradox is an expression that appears contradictory but is not really so. A paradox is a statement or situation that appears contradictory or self-refuting, yet may reveal an underlying truth. Paradoxes are often used to provoke thought, challenge conventional wisdom, and highlight the complexities inherent in certain ideas or situations. While on the surface, a paradox may seem illogical, further examination reveals a deeper meaning or resolution.

S. N.	Examples
1.	War is peace.
2.	Ignorance is strength.
3.	Freedom is slavery .
4.	The child is the father of the man .
5.	Art lies in concealing art.

Personification

Personification is a figure speech in which lifeless objects and abstract ideas are thought of as persons having life. Personification is a literary device in which human characteristics, qualities, or emotions are attributed to non-human entities or objects. This technique gives human-like qualities to abstract concepts, animals, inanimate objects, or natural forces. Personification helps create vivid and imaginative descriptions, making the writing more engaging and relatable.

S.N.	Examples
1.	Opportunity knocks at the door but once.
2.	Anxiety is sitting on her face.
3.	Death lays his icy hand on kings.
4.	Authority forgets a dying king.
5.	Life sorrows sit and weep.
6.	The sun smiled down on her.
7.	The trees quaked with fear as the wind approached.
8.	The wind whispered through the trees.
9.	Time marches on, waits for no one.
10.	The flowers nodded their heads in agreement.
11.	The river danced over the rocks.

Pun

Pun is the humorous use of a word that has two meanings, or of different words that sound the same; a play on words. A pun is a form of wordplay that exploits multiple meanings of a term or the fact that there are words that sound similar but have different meanings. Puns are often used for humor or to create a playful effect in language. They rely on the double entendre, where a word or phrase is used in a way that exploits its multiple meanings or sounds.

S. N.	Examples
1.	Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana.
2.	I used to be a baker because I kneaded dough.
3.	Why don’t scientists trust atoms? Because they make up everything.
4.	The math book is sad because it has too many problems.
5.	I told my wife she should embrace her mistakes. She gave me a hug.

Simile

Simile is a figure of speech in which an explicit comparison is made between two dissimilar things by using “like, as or so”. In other words, A simile is a figure of speech that involves comparing two unlike things using the words “like” or “as.” Similes are used to create vivid and imaginative descriptions by highlighting similarities between the compared elements. They help to make abstract or complex ideas more accessible to the reader or listener.

Here are a few examples of similes:

Brave as a lion: This simile compares someone’s bravery to the courage typically associated with a lion.
As busy as a bee: This simile describes someone who is very busy, drawing a comparison to the industrious nature of bees.
As sly as a fox: This simile compares someone’s cunning or cleverness to the perceived traits of a fox.
Her smile was like sunshine: This simile draws a comparison between the brightness and warmth of a smile and the qualities of sunshine.
Swift as an arrow: This simile describes something that is very fast, using the imagery of a swiftly moving arrow.
As clear as crystal: This simile is used to describe something that is very clear or easily understood, comparing it to the transparency of crystal.
As cold as ice: This simile emphasizes the extreme coldness by comparing it to the icy nature of ice.

S.N.	Examples
1.	Thy soul was like a star, and dwelt apart.
2.	Thou hadst a voice whose sound was like the sea.
3.	My love is like a red, red rose.
4.	The quality of mercy is not strained It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven.
5.	Like patient etherized upon a table.
6.	She floats like a laugh from the lips of a dream.
7.	The Assyrian came down like a wolf on the fold.
8.	The righteous shall flourish as the pain tree.
9.	The camel is like the ship of desert.
10.	Her face is just as a fool moon.

Synecdoche

Synecdoche is figure of speech which a part is used to designate the whole or the whole to designate a part. In other words, it is a figure of speech in which a part of something is used to represent the whole, or vice versa. It involves using a specific, often smaller, element to stand in for the larger whole or using the whole to represent a specific part. Synecdoche is a way of conveying a complex idea or emphasizing certain aspects of a subject by focusing on a particular component.

There are two main types of synecdoche:

Part for the Whole (Pars pro toto):
- This occurs when a specific part of something is used to represent the entire thing.
- Example: “All hands on deck.” (Hands represent the entire crew.)
- Example: “The cavalry arrived.” (Cavalry refers to soldiers on horseback, but it represents the entire military force.)
Whole for the Part (Totum pro parte):
- This occurs when the entire thing is used to represent a specific part of it.
- Example: “The school voted for a new policy.” (The entire school represents the people within the school who voted.)
- Example: “The city rejoiced at the victory.” (The entire city represents the people within the city who celebrated the victory.)

S.N.	Examples
1.	England lost by six wickets. ( the English cricket team)
2.	Give us this day our daily bread. ( food)
3.	He had many mouths to feed. ( Family members)
4.	All the best brains in India cannot solve the problem. (Intellectuals )
5.	Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown. (person )

Transferred Epithet

Transferred Epithet means the change of the sense of a word or phrase by extension or metaphor. It is a figure of speech in which an adjective is not used with the word it qualifies, but is transferred and associated with another word( Which it can logically never qualify).

In other words, the adjective is incorrectly attributed to a nearby noun, creating a vivid and often poetic effect.

This figure of speech is used to convey a more striking or imaginative image by placing the modifier where it may not grammatically belong but makes sense contextually or emotionally.

S.N.	Examples
1.	He passed a sleepless night.
2.	The plowman homeward plods his weary way.
3.	A lackey presented an obsequious cup of coffee.
4.	An Troy’s proud walls lie level with the ground.

Epigram

Epigram means a concise and witty saying or a remark. An epigram is a brief, clever, and witty statement expressed in a concise and often paradoxical or satirical manner. Epigrams are characterized by their brevity and the use of clever wordplay to convey a thought or make a point. They are often humorous, insightful, or ironic and are crafted to leave a lasting impact on the reader.

Key features of an epigram include conciseness, cleverness, and the ability to convey a deeper truth or observation in a succinct form. Epigrams can be found in various forms of literature, including poetry, prose, and even in everyday conversation.

S.N.	Examples
1.	Fools rush in where angels fear to tread.
2.	The proper study of mankind is man.
3.	He makes no friend, who never made a foe.
4.	A thing of beauty is joy for ever.
5.	A little learning is a dangerous thing.
6.	To succeed in life, you need three things: a wishbone, a backbone, and a funny bone.

Conceit

Conceit is an elaborate and cleverly expressed figure of speech. In it apparently different things are shown to have a relationship. A conceit in literature refers to an extended metaphor or a comparison between two seemingly unrelated things. Unlike a regular metaphor, a conceit is more elaborate and often provides a unique and surprising parallel between the two subjects. Conceits are frequently used in poetry and allow for complex and imaginative comparisons.

S.N.	Examples
1.	See ! how she leans her check upon her hand. : O ! that I were a glove upon that hand, that I might touch that cheek.
2.	“Our two souls therefore, which are one, Though I must go, endure not yet A breach, but an expansion, Like gold to airy thinness beat.”
3.	“Him the Almighty Power Hurl’d headlong flaming from th’ Ethereal Sky, With hideous ruin and combustion, down To bottomless perdition, there to dwell In adamantine Chains and penal Fire, Who durst defy th’ Omnipotent to Arms.”