POP!
BOOM!
WHAM!
What exactly is Onomatopoeia?
Besides being a word that we all have trouble spelling correctly, Merriam-Webster defines onomatopoeia as “the naming of a thing of action by a vocal imitation of the sound associated with it (such as buzz or hiss).” Simply put, onomatopoeia words are sound words. Clap, growl, jangle, vroom—all of these choices have distinctive sounds and are examples of onomatopoeia.
Why use Onomatopoeia?
Using effective sound words in your writing—such as clang or achoo—will certainly help you come up with the most creative way to convey what is happening in a scene. Importantly, it also enhances the sensory experience for the reader. And it’s FUN!
You’ll also find that your sentences can
be trimmed of unnecessary words—one onomatopoeia word choice usually replaces a
much lengthier description. If you are writing children’s picture books where
the economy of words is especially important, utilizing sound words will help
you keep your word count low. Consider these examples:
“She made a low,
mournful sound as if she were in pain” or She groaned
“He ejected gas
spasmodically and noisily from his stomach through his mouth” or He belched
You
get the picture. Onomatopoeia allows you to be concise. Additionally, sound
words inject an element of humor and playfulness into your piece.
Children’s Books that showcase Onomatopoeia:
There are oodles of children’s picture
books that effectively employ onomatopoeia. Here are a few of my favorites:
A Mouthful of Onomatopoeia, by Bette Blaisdell
Bear
Snores On,
by Karma Wilson
Boom
Boom,
by Sarvinder Naberhaus
“Buzz,”
said the Bee,
by Wendy Lewison
Click,
Clack, Moo, Cows that Type, by Doreen Cronin
Hush!:
a Thai Lullaby,
by Minfong Ho
Muncha!
Muncha! Muncha!,
by Candace Fleming
Roller
Coaster,
by Marla Frazee
Split!
Splat!,
by Amy Gibson
Squeak!
Rumble! Whomp! Whomp! Whomp!: A Sonic Adventure, by Wynton
Marsalis
The
Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything, by Linda Williams
Watersong, by Tim McCanna
We’re
Going on a Bear Hunt,
by Michael Rosen
Who
Likes Rain?, by
Wong Herbert Yee
Whoosh,
Crunch, Roar: Football Onomatopoeia, by Mark Weakland
Zin!
Zin! Zin!: A Violin,
by Lloyd Moss
A Handy-Dandy Onomatopoeia Word List
Writers love tools that save them time—at least, I know I do. I recently began working on a picture book project where I wanted to associate a key sound with each of my anthropomorphic characters. I searched on the internet for an expansive list of sound words. I found a few pretty good listings, but I couldn’t find ONE complete list that included the entire universe (or close to it) of great onomatopoeia words. So I took one for the team and gave up an afternoon to put all those lists into one comprehensive onomatopoeia word list. And POW!— I’m sharing it with YOU, our devoted GROG Blog Readers so that you may take advantage of it, too.
Find my list on this page on my website:
Note: I’m sure that YOU,
our whip-smart blog readers may know some onomatopoeia words that I missed. If
so, comment with additional words on this GROG post and I’ll add them to this
handy listing. In a few weeks, I’ll reshare the document. Happy writing!
AND the winner of the picture book, SMELLY KELLY, by Beth Anderson is Angie Quantrell. Congratulations!
This is such a wonderful list, Eileen! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteWow, thanks for taking "one for the team,"Eileen. I love using onomatopoeia!
ReplyDeleteAwesome - you know that feeling, Kathy. You're ready to sit down and write but then you need a key tool to enhance the process . . . happy to share my sound word list!
DeleteYay! I've been so distracted, I'm glad I could keep it together long enough to read to the bottom of this email! Smelly Kelly-I can't wait to smell, I mean READ this one! Thank you so much!
ReplyDeleteGreat post! Thanks for the list!!! I used onomatopoeia in a recent testimony blurb. After reading the graphic above, it reminded me that I had written the testimony, but had not mailed it! ZOW! Mid-sentence I dashed off to send it. Whew. Thanks for the reminder.
Thank you, Angie! It's a double-win for you today - the book gift win AND a super onomatopoeia word list! Congrats!!
DeleteI just checked out (and printed) the list! W0W! Thank you for all the hard work. This is a great resource!
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure - it is an awesome list, if I say so myself :) BAM!
DeleteFUN post, Eileen! Thanks for the list. It is terrific, and I will be using it as a resource. (Loved your graphic, too.)ZOWIE!
ReplyDeleteThat is a high compliment from a retired language arts teacher! Enjoy, Julie!
DeleteThanks for the list. I'll run it off for reference. I love using onomatopoeia in my picture books. I don't think I saw it on your list, but one word phrase I use when writing about the sounds an owl makes is whooo whooo whooo
ReplyDeleteGreat catch, Janet! How did I forget owl sounds? :) Glad to hear from another word sound fan.
DeleteCongratulations, Angie, on winning Smelly Kelly and His Super Senses! You'll find some onomatopoeia in it, too! It's coming your way.....whoooooooosh!
ReplyDeleteAngie wins big! Thanks for sharing a gift copy, Beth. :)
DeleteI love this! Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteHappy to share! Enjoy.
DeleteThank you Eileen! This list is terrific :) Finding the right onomatopoeia just got a whole lot easier.
ReplyDeleteFantastic, Charlotte! We writers stick together. :)
DeleteThis is great! And, LOVE the list of words. Thanks for sharing them so generously Eileen!
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure, Darlene. May this list help you find some new ZING to add to your writing (couldn't resist a sound word!)
DeleteMy eighth graders start their “pandemic” stories next week. I will let them loose with onomatopoeia and your article. Can’t wait to “hear” their tales!
ReplyDeleteFantastic, Julie! Good luck with your students' "pandemic" stories. Likewise, I shared the list with many of my teacher and librarian friends for their students' use.
DeleteGreat list, Eileen!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Tina! Enjoy.
DeleteEileen, thank you for these helpful resources!
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure, Christy! Glad you can utilize it.
DeleteThis is a great reminder. Thank you. Popping over to your blog now to see your list.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping in, Mona.
DeleteEileen! So much fun. You know I LOVE sounds. One of the things I do is keep a journal just for onomatopoeia. I use an old telephone directory that has alphabetical tabs already. Then whenever I run across a good word, in it goes under it's first letter. Such a good reference for writing for kids, or adults. thanks.
ReplyDeleteAwesome, SHutta -- I'll bet that is one great journal! Share any of your favorites that you don't find on my list. I'll add them. :) I know that with your extensive poetry writing and librarian roots, you would have some amazing resources.
DeleteSo fun, Eileen. Thank you. I love onomatopeia--you do the spelling ;-) And now I hope to have a whole list at my disposal. You're the best.
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure, Patricia. I know - your books SIZZLE and POP with great sound words. I'm a big fan of yours!!
ReplyDeleteI especially like this point you make:
ReplyDelete>>one onomatopoeia word choice usually replaces a much lengthier description<<
And Golly, gee! Your word list is a terrific resource. Thanks so much for sharing!
Thanks, Carmela! Happy to share this resource with fellow writers. We're all in this together.
DeleteAbsolutely fantastic, Eileen (and lovely website to boot). Thanks for hitting the nail on the head: SMACK!
ReplyDeleteLove it, Kitty! Glad you can put this to use. And thanks for the kind words about my website. Cha-ching! (I love that sound - LOL!)
DeleteThis is really fun! Thanks for sharing the list.
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure, Sue! We all love useful writing tools.
DeleteWow! To echo the responses of the other commenters, thank you for this great post and for taking the time to compile this expansive list for all of us.
Delete