Basic Terms
A comparison of two dissimilar things using "like" or "as"
Simile
A quick reference to a famous person, event, brand, etc. with no further explanation
Allusion
A funny or clever statement that uses the two possible meanings of a word
Pun
I saw LeBron James buy Cheetos at the 7-11 on Pico before driving away in his Lamborghini.
Allusion
I was exhausted last night, so I slept like a log.
Simile
A word that imitates the natural sound of the thing it is describing
Onomatopoeia
Repetition of the same consonant sound in the beginning of closely connected words
Alliteration
Very informal language more commonly used in speech than in writing. Varies from place to place.
Slang
My bestie is low key gonna be salty when she hears the tea about her boo. He was spitting game at her frenemies and now ppl be saying he's thirsty af.
Slang
My marvelous mother makes muffins on Mondays.
Alliteration
A comparison of two dissimilar things without using "like" or "as"
Metaphor
Repetition of the same vowel sound in the middle of several words that are close together
Assonance
When one thing stands for or represents something else
Symbolism
You sued the blue school? Rude
Assonance
The cross-eyed teacher couldn't control his pupils.
Pun
Giving human characteristics or traits to a non-human thing
Personification
Vivid description that appeals to the five senses (smell, sight, taste, touch, hearing)
Imagery
A nicer or more polite way of saying something harsh or inappropriate
Euphemism
I waited in line for a million hours until it was my turn
Hyperbole
The children were flowers grown in concrete gardens.
Metaphor
An extreme exaggeration, usually characterized by large numbers or amounts
Hyperbole
A commonly used expression that means something very different from what it's literally saying
Idiom
When you expect one thing but the opposite is true instead. (When reality is the opposite of expectation)
Irony
When the student answered correctly, the teacher said "You hit the nail on the head! I know you're feeling under the weather, but this class is still a piece of cake for you!"
Idiom
We knew it was time to put our dog to sleep, as he has been battling cancer for years. He passed away this morning.
Euphemism