BEAUTIFUL WORDS
BUILD A BETTER VOCABULARY
Words posted by @kairosoflife on Twitter
under the hashtag #beautifulwords
This section is still under construction. The word lists are slowly being transferred here from Creativity Chaos
BUILD A BETTER VOCABULARY
Words posted by @kairosoflife on Twitter
under the hashtag #beautifulwords
This section is still under construction. The word lists are slowly being transferred here from Creativity Chaos
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Language, Literature and Writing Part 2 - Literary
SEE ALSO:
LITERARY HOME
Language, Literature & Writing Poetic Form and Structure Words of Shakespeare
LITERARY HOME
Language, Literature & Writing Poetic Form and Structure Words of Shakespeare
LITERARY TERMINOLOGY
[A - C]
Abnadiplosis is the repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning and end of a sentence.
An Adage expresses a well-known and simple truth in just a few words.
An allegory is when a writer embellishes the sentence by adding more information to add value or make it more understandable.
Alliteration is a device in which words are used in quick succession and begin with letters of the same sound group.
Allusion is a reference to something else. It’s when a writer mentions some other work, or refers to an earlier part of the current work.
Ambiguity is an idea or situation that can be understood in more than one way.
Amphigouri are nonsense words or gibberish.
Anachronism is when an author, deliberately or accidentally, puts historical events, fashions, technology, etc., in the wrong place.
Anagrams are used when a writer jumbles up parts of the word to create a new word.
Anaogy establishes a relationship based on similarities between two concepts or ideas.
Anaphora is repetition at the beginning of successive statements.
Anecdote means a short verbal account of an incident or event that is funny, amusing, or interesting.
Anthropomorphism is applying a human quality or emotion to a non-human object or being.
Antithesis is used to create a contrast using two different elements that come together to create a whole.
Aphorism is a concise statement that is made to state a principle or an opinion that is generally understood to be a universal truth.
Archaism is an old word or expression that is no longer used with its original meaning or is only used in specific studies or areas.
Assonance is the repetition of the same or similar vowel sounds within words, phrases, or sentences.
Blustocking is a woman with considerable literary, scholarly or intellectual ability or interest.
Caesura is a break within words in a line.
Chiasmus is a figure of speech containing two phrases that are parallel but inverted to each other.
Circumlocution is when a writer uses exaggeratedly long and complex sentences in order to convey a meaning that could have been made in a short and simple sentence.
Clerihew is a short comic or nonsensical poem that details the life of a famous figure in just a few lines.
A cliché is an overused saying or idea which has lost its original meaning or power.
Connotations are associations made with words that go beyond the literal definition.
Cynicism is a dark attitude toward the world, especially toward human beings. Cynics believe that humans are motivated by greed and self-interest, are distrustful of others, are usually very negative, and are suspicious of sentimentality.
[D - F]
Denotation is the literal meaning of a word.
Diacope is when a writer repeats a word or phrase with one or more words in between.
Dithygram is a poem in an inspired irregular strain
Double entendre is a double meaning or interpretation for a word, phrase, or figure of speech. The first meaning is straightforward, but can be interpreted in a second more slightly inappropriate or risqué way.
Dysphemism is the opposite of an euphemism and is an unpleasant or derogatory word or expression used in place of an inoffensive one.
Ekphrastic is a form of writing, like poetry, in which the writer references a visual art to convey deeper symbolism.
Encomium means to celebrate. It’s a speech, poem, or other text written in praise of a specific person or thing. Writers use elevated language and praise for their object and apply very strong terms.
Enjambment is a thought that runs from one line to the next without a syntactical break.
Enthymeme is a logical deduction in which one of the premises is unstated.
Epigrams are short but insightful statements, usually in verse, that communicate thoughts in a witty, paradoxical, or funny manner.
Epistrophe is the repetition of words or phrases at the end.
Epizeuxis is the repetition of a word or phrase in immediate succession.
Euphemism is the use of a milder or less abrasive word with a negative description.
Euphony is a word that is smooth, pleasant or musical to hear.
Exemplum is an example, story, or anecdote used to demonstrate a point.
Fables are short fictional stories that have a moral lesson.
A farce is a comedy in which everything is absolutely absurd an usually involves some kind of deception or miscommunication.
Figurative language is writing which appeals to the senses. Instead of logic or literalness, figurative language makes unique connections based on connotation, sound, and construction of words and phrases.
Foreshadowing gives the audience hints about the future. It suggests what is coming with imagery, language, and/or symbolism. It does not directly reveal the outcome but rather suggests it.
[G - I]
Harangue is a lengthy and intense speech, lecture, or spoken attack.
Homograph is one of two or more words which are spelled identically but which have completely separate meaning, origin, and possibly pronunciation.
Hyperbaton is a manipulation of the regular positioning of words and phrases that creates a differently structured sentence to convey the same meaning.
Hyperbole is when a writer uses specific words and phrases that exaggerate and overemphasize the subject to produce a grander, more noticeable effect.
Hypophora is when the writer asks a question and then answers the question asked.
Idiom is an expression that means something different from the literal meaning of the words.
Inference is the process of drawing a conclusion from supporting evidence. It’s going beyond the evidence to reach some further conclusion.
Innuendo is when you say something which is polite or innocent but indirectly hints at an insult or rude comment.
Inversion is when a writer changes the conventional placement of words.
Irony is the difference between what the narrator says and what the reader perceives.
Isocolon is when a writer creates parallel structures in length and rhythm.
[J - L]
Juxtaposition is when a writer places a person, concept, place, idea or theme parallel to another.
Kennings is when a writer twists the words, figure of speech or phrase to refer to a person, object, place, action or idea.
Literary Device is a technique used to help the author achieve his or her purpose. Typically, these devices are used for an aesthetic purpose to make the piece more beautiful.
Litotes is rhetoric speech employing an understated statement of an positive by using a negative description.
[M - O]
Malapropism is the practice of misusing words by substituting words with similar sounding words that have different and unconnected meanings. It creates confusion, misunderstanding and amusement.
A maxim is a brief statement that contains a little piece of wisdom or a general rule of behavior.
Metaphor is a direct and vivid comparison between two things usually considered distinct or unrelated.
Metonymy is the practice of not using the formal word for an object or subject and instead referring to it by using another word that is intricately linked to the formal name or word.
Myths are classic or legendary stories that usually focus on a particular hero or event, and explain mysteries with no true basis in fact.
Neologisms are literally new words, or words recently created in order to describe something which has never been described.
Nostalgia is remembering the past in a rosy, positive light, even though the true past is more complicated.
Onomatopoeia is a word that mimics a sound.
Oxymoron is a figure of speech in which apparently contradictory terms appear in conjunction.
[P - R]
Palindrome is a type of word play in which a word or phrase spelled forward is the same word or phrase spelled backward.
Panchreston is a broad thesis that claims to cover the entire subject but usually ends up as a gross oversimplification.
Paradox is the use of concepts or ideas that are contradictory to one another but when placed together have significant value.
A parody is a work that’s created by imitating an existing original work to make fun of it.
Pathos is a quality in a character that evokes empathy from the reader.
Peripeteia is a sudden change in a story which results in a negative reversal of circumstances. It is also known as the turning point.
Periphrasis is the use of excessive language and extra words to convey a meaning that could be simplified directly with fewer words.
Pejorative is an insult or a word with a negative connotation that expresses contempt, dismissiveness, or hatred.
Personification is a kind of metaphor in which the writer describes an inanimate object, abstract thing, or non-human animal in human terms.
Persuasion is the literary intent to change people’s minds or convince them of an alternate perspective.
Pleonasm is when a writer uses too many words to express a message.
Platitude repeats obvious, simple, and easily understood statements that have little meaning or emotional weight.
Polemic is a strong attack or argument against a controversial subject.
Polyptoton is the repetition of the root word.
Polysyndeton uses conjunctions or connecting words frequently in a sentence and are placed very close to one another.
Portmantea combines two or more words to form a new word that expresses a single idea.
Prosody is the study of the structure of poetry.
A pun is a joke based on the play on homophones (words with the same pronunciation but different meanings). It can also play with words that sound similar, but not exactly the same. The humor comes from the confusion of the two meanings.
Rhetoric is a technique or language used to convey an idea or convince an audience.
A rhetorical question is asked in a form which does not in reality seek an answer but rather to emphasize a certain point.
Rococo means ornate or florid in literary style.
[S - Z]
Sarcasm is a form of verbal irony that mocks, ridicules, or expresses contempt. It’s really more a tone of voice than a rhetorical device.
Sardonic is describes dry, understated, and a mocking piece of writing that stings because it’s so accurate. While sardonic comments seem hostile, they are supposed to be witty and humorous.
Satire is the practice of making fun of a human weakness or character flaw.
Simile is a literary term where you use “like” or “as” to compare two different things and show a common quality between them.
Spoonerism is the interchanging of the first letters of some words in order to create new words or nonsensical words to convey humor.
Subtext is the unspoken or less obvious meaning or message in a literary composition, speech, or conversation.
Surrealism is a literary and artistic movement that promotes creation of something bizarre and disjointed, but still somehow still be understandable.
Symbolism is a figure of speech in which an object, person, or situation has another meaning other than its literal meaning. The actions of a character, word, action, or event then have a deeper meaning.
Synecdoche is when a part of something represents the whole. Calling a car “wheels” for example.
Synesthesia is the depiction of a strong connection, link or bond between the different senses.
Tautology is when you repeat an idea that has already been stated with another word or phrase.
Truism is a bland statement. It may sound wise or meaningful on the surface, but that’s very obvious and doesn’t add any new ideas or information.
Understatement is when a writer presents a situation or thing as if it is less important or serious than it is in reality.
Verisimilitude is the appearance of being true or real.
Vernacular is everyday speech. It’s just the way people talk in life.
Vignette is a short scene that captures a single moment or a defining detail about a character, idea, or other element of the story.
Wordplay is rearranging a word in a creative way to change, emphasize, or mock its meaning.
Zeugma is when you use a word in a sentence once, while conveying two different meanings at the same time.
[A - C]
Abnadiplosis is the repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning and end of a sentence.
An Adage expresses a well-known and simple truth in just a few words.
An allegory is when a writer embellishes the sentence by adding more information to add value or make it more understandable.
Alliteration is a device in which words are used in quick succession and begin with letters of the same sound group.
Allusion is a reference to something else. It’s when a writer mentions some other work, or refers to an earlier part of the current work.
Ambiguity is an idea or situation that can be understood in more than one way.
Amphigouri are nonsense words or gibberish.
Anachronism is when an author, deliberately or accidentally, puts historical events, fashions, technology, etc., in the wrong place.
Anagrams are used when a writer jumbles up parts of the word to create a new word.
Anaogy establishes a relationship based on similarities between two concepts or ideas.
Anaphora is repetition at the beginning of successive statements.
Anecdote means a short verbal account of an incident or event that is funny, amusing, or interesting.
Anthropomorphism is applying a human quality or emotion to a non-human object or being.
Antithesis is used to create a contrast using two different elements that come together to create a whole.
Aphorism is a concise statement that is made to state a principle or an opinion that is generally understood to be a universal truth.
Archaism is an old word or expression that is no longer used with its original meaning or is only used in specific studies or areas.
Assonance is the repetition of the same or similar vowel sounds within words, phrases, or sentences.
Blustocking is a woman with considerable literary, scholarly or intellectual ability or interest.
Caesura is a break within words in a line.
Chiasmus is a figure of speech containing two phrases that are parallel but inverted to each other.
Circumlocution is when a writer uses exaggeratedly long and complex sentences in order to convey a meaning that could have been made in a short and simple sentence.
Clerihew is a short comic or nonsensical poem that details the life of a famous figure in just a few lines.
A cliché is an overused saying or idea which has lost its original meaning or power.
Connotations are associations made with words that go beyond the literal definition.
Cynicism is a dark attitude toward the world, especially toward human beings. Cynics believe that humans are motivated by greed and self-interest, are distrustful of others, are usually very negative, and are suspicious of sentimentality.
[D - F]
Denotation is the literal meaning of a word.
Diacope is when a writer repeats a word or phrase with one or more words in between.
Dithygram is a poem in an inspired irregular strain
Double entendre is a double meaning or interpretation for a word, phrase, or figure of speech. The first meaning is straightforward, but can be interpreted in a second more slightly inappropriate or risqué way.
Dysphemism is the opposite of an euphemism and is an unpleasant or derogatory word or expression used in place of an inoffensive one.
Ekphrastic is a form of writing, like poetry, in which the writer references a visual art to convey deeper symbolism.
Encomium means to celebrate. It’s a speech, poem, or other text written in praise of a specific person or thing. Writers use elevated language and praise for their object and apply very strong terms.
Enjambment is a thought that runs from one line to the next without a syntactical break.
Enthymeme is a logical deduction in which one of the premises is unstated.
Epigrams are short but insightful statements, usually in verse, that communicate thoughts in a witty, paradoxical, or funny manner.
Epistrophe is the repetition of words or phrases at the end.
Epizeuxis is the repetition of a word or phrase in immediate succession.
Euphemism is the use of a milder or less abrasive word with a negative description.
Euphony is a word that is smooth, pleasant or musical to hear.
Exemplum is an example, story, or anecdote used to demonstrate a point.
Fables are short fictional stories that have a moral lesson.
A farce is a comedy in which everything is absolutely absurd an usually involves some kind of deception or miscommunication.
Figurative language is writing which appeals to the senses. Instead of logic or literalness, figurative language makes unique connections based on connotation, sound, and construction of words and phrases.
Foreshadowing gives the audience hints about the future. It suggests what is coming with imagery, language, and/or symbolism. It does not directly reveal the outcome but rather suggests it.
[G - I]
Harangue is a lengthy and intense speech, lecture, or spoken attack.
Homograph is one of two or more words which are spelled identically but which have completely separate meaning, origin, and possibly pronunciation.
Hyperbaton is a manipulation of the regular positioning of words and phrases that creates a differently structured sentence to convey the same meaning.
Hyperbole is when a writer uses specific words and phrases that exaggerate and overemphasize the subject to produce a grander, more noticeable effect.
Hypophora is when the writer asks a question and then answers the question asked.
Idiom is an expression that means something different from the literal meaning of the words.
Inference is the process of drawing a conclusion from supporting evidence. It’s going beyond the evidence to reach some further conclusion.
Innuendo is when you say something which is polite or innocent but indirectly hints at an insult or rude comment.
Inversion is when a writer changes the conventional placement of words.
Irony is the difference between what the narrator says and what the reader perceives.
Isocolon is when a writer creates parallel structures in length and rhythm.
[J - L]
Juxtaposition is when a writer places a person, concept, place, idea or theme parallel to another.
Kennings is when a writer twists the words, figure of speech or phrase to refer to a person, object, place, action or idea.
Literary Device is a technique used to help the author achieve his or her purpose. Typically, these devices are used for an aesthetic purpose to make the piece more beautiful.
Litotes is rhetoric speech employing an understated statement of an positive by using a negative description.
[M - O]
Malapropism is the practice of misusing words by substituting words with similar sounding words that have different and unconnected meanings. It creates confusion, misunderstanding and amusement.
A maxim is a brief statement that contains a little piece of wisdom or a general rule of behavior.
Metaphor is a direct and vivid comparison between two things usually considered distinct or unrelated.
Metonymy is the practice of not using the formal word for an object or subject and instead referring to it by using another word that is intricately linked to the formal name or word.
Myths are classic or legendary stories that usually focus on a particular hero or event, and explain mysteries with no true basis in fact.
Neologisms are literally new words, or words recently created in order to describe something which has never been described.
Nostalgia is remembering the past in a rosy, positive light, even though the true past is more complicated.
Onomatopoeia is a word that mimics a sound.
Oxymoron is a figure of speech in which apparently contradictory terms appear in conjunction.
[P - R]
Palindrome is a type of word play in which a word or phrase spelled forward is the same word or phrase spelled backward.
Panchreston is a broad thesis that claims to cover the entire subject but usually ends up as a gross oversimplification.
Paradox is the use of concepts or ideas that are contradictory to one another but when placed together have significant value.
A parody is a work that’s created by imitating an existing original work to make fun of it.
Pathos is a quality in a character that evokes empathy from the reader.
Peripeteia is a sudden change in a story which results in a negative reversal of circumstances. It is also known as the turning point.
Periphrasis is the use of excessive language and extra words to convey a meaning that could be simplified directly with fewer words.
Pejorative is an insult or a word with a negative connotation that expresses contempt, dismissiveness, or hatred.
Personification is a kind of metaphor in which the writer describes an inanimate object, abstract thing, or non-human animal in human terms.
Persuasion is the literary intent to change people’s minds or convince them of an alternate perspective.
Pleonasm is when a writer uses too many words to express a message.
Platitude repeats obvious, simple, and easily understood statements that have little meaning or emotional weight.
Polemic is a strong attack or argument against a controversial subject.
Polyptoton is the repetition of the root word.
Polysyndeton uses conjunctions or connecting words frequently in a sentence and are placed very close to one another.
Portmantea combines two or more words to form a new word that expresses a single idea.
Prosody is the study of the structure of poetry.
A pun is a joke based on the play on homophones (words with the same pronunciation but different meanings). It can also play with words that sound similar, but not exactly the same. The humor comes from the confusion of the two meanings.
Rhetoric is a technique or language used to convey an idea or convince an audience.
A rhetorical question is asked in a form which does not in reality seek an answer but rather to emphasize a certain point.
Rococo means ornate or florid in literary style.
[S - Z]
Sarcasm is a form of verbal irony that mocks, ridicules, or expresses contempt. It’s really more a tone of voice than a rhetorical device.
Sardonic is describes dry, understated, and a mocking piece of writing that stings because it’s so accurate. While sardonic comments seem hostile, they are supposed to be witty and humorous.
Satire is the practice of making fun of a human weakness or character flaw.
Simile is a literary term where you use “like” or “as” to compare two different things and show a common quality between them.
Spoonerism is the interchanging of the first letters of some words in order to create new words or nonsensical words to convey humor.
Subtext is the unspoken or less obvious meaning or message in a literary composition, speech, or conversation.
Surrealism is a literary and artistic movement that promotes creation of something bizarre and disjointed, but still somehow still be understandable.
Symbolism is a figure of speech in which an object, person, or situation has another meaning other than its literal meaning. The actions of a character, word, action, or event then have a deeper meaning.
Synecdoche is when a part of something represents the whole. Calling a car “wheels” for example.
Synesthesia is the depiction of a strong connection, link or bond between the different senses.
Tautology is when you repeat an idea that has already been stated with another word or phrase.
Truism is a bland statement. It may sound wise or meaningful on the surface, but that’s very obvious and doesn’t add any new ideas or information.
Understatement is when a writer presents a situation or thing as if it is less important or serious than it is in reality.
Verisimilitude is the appearance of being true or real.
Vernacular is everyday speech. It’s just the way people talk in life.
Vignette is a short scene that captures a single moment or a defining detail about a character, idea, or other element of the story.
Wordplay is rearranging a word in a creative way to change, emphasize, or mock its meaning.
Zeugma is when you use a word in a sentence once, while conveying two different meanings at the same time.
STARLIGHT POETRY BY KAI
View Me on Twitter @kairosoflife
See Creativity Chaos - a Creativity Blog by Kai
Contact | About | Reprints & Copyrights
© 2019-2020 Copyright Starlight Poetry
View Me on Twitter @kairosoflife
See Creativity Chaos - a Creativity Blog by Kai
Contact | About | Reprints & Copyrights
© 2019-2020 Copyright Starlight Poetry