noun
alliteration
uh-lit-uh-RAY-shun
Alliteration (noun) means the repetition of the same initial consonant sound across nearby words, as in "wild and windy" or "Peter Piper picked". Example: “The headline used alliteration to make it stick.”
noun
1
The repetition of the same initial consonant sound across nearby words, as in "wild and windy" or "Peter Piper picked".
"The headline used alliteration to make it stick."
How to use alliteration
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishRepeating the same starting sound in nearby words.
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The headline used _____ to make it stick.
Etymology
From Latin "ad-" (to) plus "littera" (letter) — letters set alongside one another.
Rhymes for alliteration
region
cation
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
See all rhymes for alliteration →
Frequently asked questions
What is alliteration?
Repeating the same opening consonant sound in words that sit close together — "sweet smell of success." It is used to make phrases memorable, which is why headlines and brand names lean on it.
What is the difference between alliteration and assonance?
Alliteration repeats consonant sounds at the start of words. Assonance repeats vowel sounds inside them, as in "the rain in Spain".
Is alliteration about letters or sounds?
Sounds. "Kind cat" alliterates despite the different letters, while "chip" and "cat" do not, because the sounds differ.
What is the meaning of alliteration?
"alliteration" (noun) means the repetition of the same initial consonant sound across nearby words, as in "wild and windy" or "Peter Piper picked".
