noun

synaesthesia

sin-is-THEE-zhuh

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Synaesthesia (noun) means a neurological condition in which stimulating one sense automatically triggers an experience in another sense. Example: “People with synaesthesia might see colours when they hear certain sounds.”

noun

A neurological condition in which stimulating one sense automatically triggers an experience in another sense.

"People with synaesthesia might see colours when they hear certain sounds."

"Her synaesthesia meant that each letter of the alphabet had its own colour."

"Researchers study synaesthesia to understand how the senses connect in the brain."

literary A literary or artistic technique that describes one kind of sensation using words for another.

"The poet used synaesthesia to describe a sound as tasting sweet."

"Critics praised the painting's synaesthesia, where colour seemed to carry a sound."

"The novel's synaesthesia lets readers hear a scent and smell a melody."

How to use synaesthesia

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishWhen senses cross over, like seeing colours in sounds, or describing one sense using words for another.

When to use it

The neurological sense is used in scientific and medical writing, while the second sense belongs to literary criticism.

Memory tip

British spelling keeps the ae, while American writing often uses synesthesia instead.

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Easily confused with

anaesthesia

Common pairings

experience synaesthesia form of synaesthesia synaesthesia in poetry colour synaesthesia

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

People with _____ might see colours when they hear certain sounds.

Etymology

The word derives from Ancient Greek elements meaning together and sensation, and was formed on the model of the word anaesthesia.

Origin: Ancient Greek

Rhymes for synaesthesia

Odia aria India ataxia abulia Latvia acacia LGBTQIA ectasia hryvnia begonia anaemia

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Frequently asked questions

What is synaesthesia?

It is a phenomenon, either neurological or artistic, in which one type of sensory experience triggers or is described through another.

Is synaesthesia a real medical condition?

Yes, in neurology and psychology it refers to a genuine phenomenon where a sensory stimulus triggers a second, unrelated sensation.

How is synaesthesia used in literature?

Writers use it as a device to describe one sense in terms of another, such as describing a sound as having a colour.

What is the meaning of synaesthesia?

"synaesthesia" (noun) means a neurological condition in which stimulating one sense automatically triggers an experience in another sense.