Definition of assonance
1a : 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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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 sound
First Known Use: 1727
Other Grammar and Linguistics Terms
ASSONANCE Defined for English Language Learners
assonance
playDefinition of assonance for English Language Learners
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: 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
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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about assonance
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