Dictionary Definition of ONOMATOPOEIA (Merriam-Webster)
NOUN
1. the naming of a thing or action by a vocal imitation of the sound associated with it (as buzz, hiss)
2. the use of words whose sound suggests the sense
Isn't it fun to include sound words in your writing? They can make your stories come alive. But be careful. If you make up a sound word and write it down, ask somebody to read it back to you. They may pronounce it entirely different than you expected. Better yet...keep this list handy and you'll be all set.
- argh
- achoo
- ahem
- bang
- bash
- bam
- bark
- bawl
- beep
- belch
- blab
- blare
- blurt
- boing
- boink
- bonk
- bong
- boo
- boo-hoo
- boom
- bow-wow
- brring
- bubble
- bump
- burp
- buzz
- cackle
- chatter
- cheep
- chirp
- chomp
- choo-choo
- chortle
- clang
- clash
- clank
- clap
- clatter
- click
- clink
- clip clop
- cluck
- clunk
- cock a doodle doo
- cough
- crackle
- creak
- croak
- crunch
- cuckoo
- ding
- ding dong
- drip
- fizz
- flick
- flip
- flutter
- gasp
- giggle
- glug
- groan
- growl
- grunt
- guffaw
- gurgle
- hack
- haha
- hack
- hiccup
- hiss
- ho ho ho
- honk
- hoot
- howl
- huh
- hum
- jangle
- ker-ching
- kerplunk
- knock
- meow
- moan
- moo
- mumble
- munch
- murmur
- mutter
- neigh
- oink
- ouch
- ooze
- phew
- ping
- pitter patter
- plink
- plop
- pluck
- plunk
- poof
- pop
- poop
- purr
- quack
- rattle
- ribbit
- ring
- rip
- roar
- rumble
- rush
- rustle
- screech
- shuffle
- shush
- sizzle
- slap
- slash
- slither
- slurp
- smack
- snap
- snarl
- sniff
- snip
- snore
- snort
- splash
- splat
- splatter
- splish
- splosh
- squawk
- squeak
- squelch
- squish
- swoosh
- thud
- thump
- thwack
- tic-toc
- tinkle
- trickle
- twang
- tweet
- ugh
- vroom
- waffle
- whack
- whallop
- wham
- whimper
- whip
- whirr
- whisper
- whizz
- whoop
- whoosh
- woof
- yawn
- yelp
- yikes
- zap
- zing
- zip
- zoom
