A
irony in which a person says or writes one thing and means another, or uses words to convey a meaning that is opposite of the literal meaning
verbal irony
a thing that represents or stands for something else, especially a material object representing something abstract
symbol
excessive pride or self confidence
hubris
irony involving a situation in which actions have an effect that is opposite from what was intended, so that the outcome is contrary to what was expected
situational irony
a joke exploiting the different possible meanings of a word or the fact that there are words that sound alike or have different meanings
pun
a state or feeling of excited or anxious uncertainty about what may happen
suspense
the occurrence of the same letter or sound at the beginning of adjacent or closely connected words
alliteration
a figure of speech that makes a comparison, showing similarities between two different things using the words like or as
simile
a short and amusing or interesting story about a real incident or person
anecdote
language that uses words or expressions with a meaning that is different from the literal interpretation
figurative language
a story, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning, typically a moral or political one
allegory
an object or descriptive phrase expressing a quality characteristic of the person or thing mentioned
epithet
the attribution of human characteristics or behavior to a god, animal, or object
anthropomorphism
a group of words established by usage as having a meaning not deducible from those of the individual words
idiom
a figure of speech in which a word or phrase is applied to an object or action to which it is not literally applicable
metaphor
visually descriptive or figurative language, especially in a literary work
imagery
the attribution of a personal nature or human characteristics to something nonhuman, or the representation of an abstract quality in human form
personification
a mild or indirect word or expression substituted for one considered to be too harsh or blunt when referring to something unpleasant
euphemism
a figure of speech in which apparently contradictory terms appear in conjunction
oxymoron
a brief or indirect reference to a person, place, thing or idea of historical, cultural, literary or political significance
allusion
a distinctive feature or dominant idea in an artistic or literary composition that may contribute to the theme
motif
a literary device in which a writer gives an advance hint of what is to come later in the story
foreshadowing
a seemingly absurd or self-contradictory statement or proposition that when investigated or explained may prove to be well founded or true
paradox
a comparison between two things, typically on the basis of their structure and for the purpose of explanation or clarification
analogy
exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally
hyperbole