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Definition of "alliteration" []

  • The repetition of the same sounds or of the same kinds of sounds at the beginning of words or in stressed syllables, as in "on scrolls of silver snowy sentences” ( Hart Crane). Modern alliteration is predominantly consonantal; certain literary traditions, such as Old English verse, also alliterate using vowel sounds. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Use "alliteration" in a sentence
  • "“The word alliteration is hardly new,” Grandma Margaret said."
  • "The alliteration is killer (especially friggin flabbergastedness), and really helps propel the language along."
  • "If he was related to these kings, that would be consistent with but is not proved by the name alliteration and his position of authority."