Verbosity is the quality of being excessively wordy in writing or speech. Verbose sentences can always be made shorter and simpler.
A concise version of this sentence would be, “I’m late because I got a flat tire.”
“Verbosity” comes from the Latin word verbosus, which means wordy.
Continue reading: What Is Verbosity? | Definition & Examples
A mixed metaphor is a figure of speech that combines two incompatible metaphors into one comparison.
Mixed metaphors are often unintentional. When writers intentionally use them, they often signal their use (e.g., “excuse the mixed metaphor”).
Children are little sponges, soaking up knowledge. One day, they will blossom into flowers of wisdom. [Children are compared to sponges in the first sentence and seeds in the second]
Continue reading: What Is a Mixed Metaphor? | Definition & Examples
The rhetorical triangle is a tool for organizing the three elements of rhetoric according to Aristotle. These elements, known as ethos, pathos, and logos, are often depicted as a triangle with logos at the top and ethos and pathos at the bottom corners.
The purpose of the triangle is to remind writers and speakers that a well-developed argument typically balances all three elements.
Continue reading: What Is the Rhetorical Triangle? | Definition & Examples
A neologism is a newly coined word or expression or a new meaning for an existing word. Neologisms are created to describe new concepts or phenomena and are often driven by changes in culture, society, and technology. Although they have yet to be established in mainstream language, some neologisms gain traction over time and become more widely accepted.
Continue reading: What Is Neologism? | Definition & Examples
Verbal irony is a figure of speech in which the literal meaning of what someone says is different to the actual meaning.
Verbal irony is intentional and can be used to create humor or to make a point. Because verbal irony allows us to communicate ideas or emotions indirectly, it adds depth and nuance to our communication.
Verbal irony is common in literature and in everyday conversations, but it should be avoided in academic writing or professional communication.
Continue reading: What Is Verbal Irony? | Definition, Types & Examples
Figurative language is the use of words to convey meaning beyond their usual or literal understanding. Its primary purpose is to create an effect, generate humor, or exaggerate a point. Overall, we encounter figurative language in a wide range of contexts, from artistic expression to everyday conversations.
The cat was purring with contentment on my lap.
His requests for a raise have been met with deafening silence.
My niece is a little angel.
Continue reading: What Is Figurative Language? | Definition & Examples
Connotation is the suggested or implied meaning of a word beyond its literal definition. This additional meaning varies depending on a person’s individual experiences and cultural context. Connotation plays a crucial role in how we interpret language, as it adds layers of meaning beyond the explicit definitions of words.
Continue reading: What Is Connotation? | Definition, Meaning & Examples
An analogy is a comparison between two things that are typically considered unlike for the purpose of explanation or clarification. By emphasizing how two distinct entities or ideas are similar in some ways, analogies help us to comprehend unfamiliar concepts or ideas by drawing parallels with familiar ones.
Analogies are commonly used in literature, everyday language, and problem-solving.
Continue reading: What Is an Analogy? | Definition, Meaning & Examples
Hyperbole is the use of exaggerated language that is not meant to be taken literally. This is usually done to emphasize a point or add humor to a situation. We encounter hyperboles in various contexts, including literature, advertising, and everyday conversations.
It was so quiet you could hear a pin drop a mile away.
He was as tall as a skyscraper.
There’s enough food in the cupboard to feed an entire army.
Continue reading: What Is Hyperbole? | Definition & Examples
A malaphor is the unintentional combination of two idioms or clichés. This usually results in a unique, humorous statement that doesn’t make a lot of sense.
You hit the nail on the nose. (“Hit the nail on the head” + “On the nose”)
Don’t burn your bridge at both ends. (“Don’t burn bridges” + “Burn the candle at both ends”)
Some malaphors have been repeated so many times that they’ve become as popular as the original idioms they are derived from (e.g., “She’s walking a thin line”).
Continue reading: What Is a Malaphor? | Definition & Examples
