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assonance

noun as·so·nance \ ˈa-sə-nən(t)s \

Definition of assonance

1 a : relatively close juxtaposition of similar sounds especially of vowels (as in "rise high in the bright sky")
b : repetition of vowels without repetition of consonants (as in stony and holy) used as an alternative to rhyme in verse
2 : resemblance of sound in words or syllables
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assonant

play \-nənt\ adjective or noun
—

assonantal

play \ˌa-sə-ˈnan-tᵊl\ adjective

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Recent Examples of assonance from the Web

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'assonance.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of assonance

French, from Latin assonare to answer with the same sound, from ad- + sonare to sound, from sonus sound — more at 1sound

Other Grammar and Linguistics Terms

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

ASSONANCE Defined for English Language Learners

assonance

noun

Definition of assonance for English Language Learners

  • : 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”)

Learn More about assonance

  1. Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about assonance

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