alliterative

adjective

al·​lit·​er·​a·​tive ə-ˈli-tə-rə-tiv How to pronounce alliterative (audio)
-tə-ˌrā-tiv
: of, relating to, or marked by alliteration
alliteratively adverb

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web The answer to this week’s contest crossword is an alliterative cartoon character who would have made a good sixth theme answer. WSJ, 4 May 2023 Journalism necessitates concision on a level that I’m not used to because informational language isn’t supposed to be flamboyant, flowery, frolicsome or alliterative – it’s supposed to convey information. Terah Bennett, oregonlive, 4 Aug. 2022 Nothing captured the imagination more than the alliterative vitamin vault, where shoppers could forage for calcium supplements and krill oil in the same setting that bank patrons once retrieved diamonds and stashed cash. Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 29 Dec. 2022 My alliterative schema for the various listening environments, designed to be annoyingly mnemonic, is corner, club, cathedral, and cocoon. Sasha Frere-jones, Harper’s Magazine , 9 Nov. 2022 Another stenographer was aptly named Tessie Finger and partnered to a secretary whose name was the delightfully alliterative, pleasure-proclaiming Lee Lustgarden. WIRED, 25 Aug. 2022 When moms are ready to take action, the website outlines three simple, alliterative steps anyone can take to start tackling climate change: swap, share and speak up. Joan Meiners, The Arizona Republic, 6 July 2020 The kid with the alliterative name is now a senior at Santa Fe Christian and enjoying a memorable season for the 14-6 Eagles. Don Norcross, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 May 2022 The alliterative phrase, popularized on social media during the pandemic, has become an anti-slogan encapsulating criticisms of millennial White feminism. Washington Post, 5 Mar. 2022 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'alliterative.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

alliter(ation) + -ative

First Known Use

1751, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of alliterative was in 1751

Dictionary Entries Near alliterative

Cite this Entry

“Alliterative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alliterative. Accessed 6 Jun. 2023.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!