zeugma
1 synonym for zeugma, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A figure of speech in which one word, often a verb or adjective, applies to two or more nouns though it fits only one of them in sense.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
syllepsis
How to use zeugma
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
a clever zeugma
use a zeugma
example of zeugma
It is a technical term used in rhetoric, literature, and writing classes.
Etymology
English borrowed zeugma from Ancient Greek zeugma, meaning a yoking or a bond. The Greek word comes from a verb meaning to yoke or join, which in turn comes from the word for a yoke.
Full origin of zeugma →Frequently asked questions
What is a zeugma?
A zeugma is a figure of speech where one word governs two or more nouns but fits the sense of only one of them.
How do you pronounce zeugma?
In American English it is commonly pronounced ZOOG-muh.
Is zeugma the same as syllepsis?
Some writers treat them as the same thing, while others distinguish between them.
