Dictionary

assonance

noun as·so·nance \ˈa-sə-nən(t)s\

: the use of words that have the same or very similar vowel sounds near one another (as in “summer fun” and “rise high in the bright sky”)

Full Definition of ASSONANCE

1
:  resemblance of sound in words or syllables
2
a :  relatively close juxtaposition of similar sounds especially of vowels
b :  repetition of vowels without repetition of consonants (as in stony and holy) used as an alternative to rhyme in verse
as·so·nant \-nənt\ adjective or noun
as·so·nant·al \ˌa-sə-ˈnan-təl\ adjective
ADVERTISEMENT

Origin of ASSONANCE

French, from Latin assonare to answer with the same sound, from ad- + sonare to sound, from sonus sound — more at sound
First Known Use: 1727

Other Grammar and Linguistics Terms

ablaut, allusion, anacoluthon, diacritic, gerund, idiom, infinitive, metaphor, semiotics, simile

Browse

Next Word in the Dictionary: assonatePrevious Word in the Dictionary: assoilzieAll Words Near: assonance
ADVERTISEMENT
How to use a word that (literally) drives some people nuts.
Test your vocab with our fun, fast game
Ailurophobia, and 9 other unusual fears