onomatopoeia
Onomatopoeia is when a word describes a sound and actually mimics the sound of the object or action it refers to when it is spoken. Onomatopoeia appeals to the sense of hearing, and writers use it to bring a story or poem to life in the reader’s head. Explore a list of over 180 onomatopoeia words for kids to enjoy.
Sounds Animals Make
There are many onomatopoeia examples for kids that are not only fun to say but make the concept clear and easier to understand. The following words describe the sounds that are made by various animals. These range from the many different variations of a dog’s bark to a distinctive bird’s warble. Animal sounds are one of the most common forms of onomatopoeia
| arf | baa | bark |
| bow-wow | buzz | cackle |
| caw | chatter | cheep |
| chirp | cluck | cock-a-doodle-doo |
| coo | cuckoo | gobble |
| growl | hee-haw | hiss |
| honk | hoot | howl |
| maa | meow | moo |
| neigh | oink | peep |
| purr | quack | ribbit |
| roar | screech | snarl |
| squawk | squeak | tweet |
| twit twoo | warble | whimper |
| whine | whinny | woof |
| yelp | yip | yowl |
Sounds People Make
The following are examples of words to describe sounds often made by people. These bring to life what a sneeze sounds like (achoo) or how cute children sound when laughing (giggle).
| achoo | ahem | argh |
| bawl | blab | blurt |
| boohoo | brrr | burp |
| chatter | chomp | chortle |
| chuckle | clap | cough |
| eek | gag | gargle |
| gasp | giggle | groan |
| grunt | grumble | guffaw |
| ha-ha | hiccup | huh |
| hum | humph | hush |
| moan | mmm | mumble |
| munch | murmur | mutter |
| phew | prattle | slurp |
| sniff | snore | snort |
| sob | squeal | tsk |
| waffle | whisper | yawn |
Sounds Things Make
The following onomatopoeia words are sounds you may hear as you go about your day, ranging from the sound of your alarm clock blaring to a stack of books clattering to the floor. Have a bit of fun with these onomatopoeia examples for things.
| bam | bang | bash |
| boink | boom | bubble |
| buck | bumble | bump |
| clang | clank | clash |
| clatter | click | clickety-clack |
| clink | clunk | crackle |
| crash | creak | croak |
| crunch | ding dong | drip |
| fizz | fizzle | flick |
| flip | flutter | glug |
| ka-boom | kerplunk | ooze |
| ping pong | pitter-patter | plink |
| plop | pluck | poof |
| pop | pow | puff |
| rattle | ring | ruff |
| rumble | rustle | sizzle |
| snip | splash | splat |
| splosh | sputter | squelch |
| squish | swoosh | thud |
| thump | thwack | tick tock |
| tinkle | trickle | vroom |
| wallop | whack | wham |
| whip | whir | whiz |
| whoop | whoosh | zap |
| zing | zip | zoom |
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