Onomatopoeia: Definition and Examples

Onomatopoeia is naming something from its own sound. Onomatopoeic words abound in English and other languages. They are words that mimic, resemble or suggest the sound that they describe. The bow-wow theory suggests that human language developed from an imitation of sounds in nature. Even though the theory is discredited today, there is no doubt that a lot of words have their origins in imitation of sounds.

How onomatopoeia works: Most of the words that describe the sounds made by animals and birds have been formed by an imitation of the sound itself. In fact, many animals and birds like aye-aye, cuckoo, dodo, and hoopoe have been named from their cries. Human vocal sounds and sounds of instruments have also been named after the sounds themselves.

The following is an onomatopoeia word list with notes on the origins of onomatopoeic words.

Onomatopoeic Word	Sound that the word denotes.
argh	A sound that expresses frustration, disappointment, anguish, or pain.
achoo	The sound of a sneeze.
ahem	Interjection used to show a clearing of the throat. Used to attract attention, express doubt, warning, etc.
bang	Indicates the sound of an explosion or collision.
bash	To strike with a heavy, crushing blow (the sound of a heavy blow).
bam	The sound of a blow or a collision.
bark	The harsh sound of a dog.
bawl	A long, loud cry. Sound of sobbing.
beep	A a short high-pitched sound from a horn or an electronic device.
belch	The sound of gas expelled noisily from the stomach through the mouth.
blab	Incessant, thoughtless talking.
blare	A loud, harsh noise.
blurt	A sudden, impulsive utterance.
boing	A reverberating sound.
boink	The sound of hitting someone or something.
bonk	The sound of hitting someone or something.
bong	The resonant sound of a large bell.
boo	A sudden exclamation made to surprise someone who is unaware of one's presence.
boo-hoo	The sound of someone crying noisily. (usually imitated)
boom	A loud, deep, resonant sound.
bow-wow	A child's imitation of a dog's bark.
bubble	The sound of liquid boiling or flowing.
bump	The sound of a collision.
burp	Noisy release of air from the stomach through the mouth.
buzz	Low, continuous humming sound of insects or bees.
cackle	The clucking cry of a bird.
chatter	A series of short, quick high-pitched sounds. Informal talk.
cheep	A short, high squeaky sound made by a bird.
chirp	A short, sharp, high-pitched sound made by a bird.
chomp	Chewing something noisily or vigorously.
choo-choo	A child's imitation of the sound of a railway train
chortle	A noisy, gleeful laugh.
clang	A loud, resonant metallic sound
clash	Sond of objects being struck together.
clank	Sound made by pieces of metal being struck together.
clap	Sound of applause.
clack	Sounds of a hard object striking another.
clatter	Continuous rattling sound of hard objects falling or striking each other.
click	Short, sharp sound of a switch.
clink	A sharp ringing sound,made by striking metal or glass.
clip clop	The sound of a horse's hoofs beating.
cluck	The short, low sound made by a hen.
clunk	A dull sound made by heavy metal objects striking together.
cock a doodle doo	The sound made by a cock when it crows.
cough	The sound of coughing.
crackle	A rapid succession of short sharp noises.
creak	A scraping or squeaking sound amde by a wooden object or door.
croak	A deep hoarse sound made by a frog or a crow.
crunch	Sound made while crushing a hard or brittle foodstuff.
cuckoo	Sound of the cuckoo.
ding	Metallic ringing sound
ding dong	The sound of a bell.
drip	Sound of liquid falling in small drops.
fizz	A hissing sound produced by bubbles of gas.
flick	Sound made by sudden release of a bent finger, or a whip.
flip	Sound produced by a sudden quick movement like that of a switch or a page.
flip-flop	A flapping sound.
flop	A sound made by a heavy, loose movement.
flutter	Sound made by flapping the wings quickly and lightly.
giggle	Laughing lightly and repeatedly in a silly way.
glug	A hollow gurgling sound made while pouring some liquid.
groan	A deep inarticulate sound conveying pain.
growl	A low guttural sound of hostility made by animals.
grunt	A low, short guttural sound made by pigs and other animals.
guffaw	A loud and hearty laugh.
gurgle	A hollow bubbling sound made by some liquid running out of a bottle.
hack	The sound of cutting or kicking with rough or heavy blows.
haha	Laughing.
hiccup	A gulping sound caused by an involuntary spasm of the diaphragm and respiratory organs.
hiss	A sharp sibilant sound like that of escaping steam.
hohoho	Deep laughter.
honk	Sound of a car horn or that of a wild goose.
hoot	The typical call of many kinds of owl.
howl	A long, doleful cry of a dog or wolf.
huh	Exclamation used to express scorn, anger, or surprise.
hum	Low, steady continuous sound of a bee.
jangle	A ringing metallic sound.
jingle	A light metallic ringing sound.
ka-ching	The sound of a cash register.
kerplunk	A loud dull sound like that of a tree falling to the ground.
knock	A sudden short sound caused by a blow, epecially on the door.
Lub Dub	Heart beating
meow	The crying sound of a cat.
moan	A long, low sound expressing physical or mental suffering.
moo	The deep vocal sound of cattle.
mumble	A quiet and indistinct utterance.
munch	Eating something audibly.
murmur	A low continuous background noise.
mutter	A barely audible utterance expressing dissatisfaction.
neigh	A high whinnying sound made by a horse.
oink	The grunting sound of a pig.
ouch	Interjection that expresses pain.
ooze	Slowly trickling fluid.
phew	Exclamation that expresses a strong reaction of relief, or of disgust at a smell.
ping	An abrupt high-pitched ringing sound.
ping pong	The sound of the ball going back and forth.
pitter patter	The sound of quick light steps or taps.
plink	A short, sharp, metallic or ringing sound.
plop	The short sound of a small, solid object dropping into water without a splash.
pluck	The sound produced while catching hold of something and pulling it quickly.
plunk	The sound made by abruptly plucking a string of a stringed instrument.
poof	An exclamation to show that something has vanished.
pop	A light explosive sound.
pow	The sound of a blow or explosion.
purr	A low continuous vibratory sound expressing contentment made by a cat.
quack	The characteristic harsh sound made by a duck.
rattle	A rapid succession of short, sharp knocking sounds.
ribbit	The sound of a frog
ring	A clear resonant or vibrating sound.
rip	The sound of tearing or pulling something quickly or forcibly.
roar	A full, deep, prolonged cry of a lion or other large wild animal.
rumble	A continuous deep, resonant sound like distant thunder.
rush	The sound of hasty activity.
rustle	A soft, muffled crackling sound like that caused by the movement of dry leaves or paper.
screech	A loud, harsh, piercing cry.
shuffle	Sound of a quick dragging or scraping movement.
shush	Soft swishing sound signalling someone to be silent.
sizzle	A hissing sound made while frying or cooking.
slap	Sound of hitting or striking with the palm of the hand.
slash	Sound of a sweeping stroke made with a knife or sword.
Slish	Same as slash.
slither	Sound of something moving smoothly over a surface with a twisting or oscillating motion.
Slosh	Splashing sound of some liquid.
slurp	A loud sucking sound made while drinking or eating.
smack	Sound of a loud kiss.
snap	A sudden, sharp cracking sound
snarl	An aggressive growl of an animal with bared teeth.
sniff	Drawing up air audibly through the nose to detect a smell.
snip	Cutting something with scissors or shears.
snore	A snorting or grunting sound made by a person who is asleep.
snort	An explosive sound made by the sudden forcing of breath through one's nose, used to express indignation or derision.
splash	A sound made by something striking or falling into liquid.
splat	A sound of something soft and wet striking a surface.
splatter	Splash with a liquid, typically a thick or viscous one.
splish	A splashing sound.
splosh	A soft splashing sound.
squawk	A loud, harsh, or discordant noise made by a bird.
squeak	A short, high-pitched sound or cry.
squelch	A soft sucking sound such as that made by treading heavily through liquid or mud.
squish	A soft squelching sound.
Sway	A rhythmical movement from side to side.
Swish	A hissing or rustling sound.
swoosh	The sound produced by a sudden rush of air or liquid.
thud	A dull, heavy sound, such as that made by an object falling to the ground.
thump	A heavy deadened sound.
thwack	Sound of a sharp blow.
tic-toc	Ticking sound made by a clock.
tinkle	A light, clear ringing sound.
trickle	Sound of liquid flowing in a small stream.
twang	A strong ringing sound made by the plucked string of a musical instrument or a released bowstring.
tweet	The chirp of a small or young bird.
ugh	Exclamatory sound used to express disgust or horror.
vroom	The roaring sound of an engine or motor vehicle.
waffle	Sound of vague or trivial talk.
whack	A sharp or resounding blow.
whallop	Sound of a heavy blow or punch.
wham	Loud sound as of a forceful impact.
whimper	A series of low, feeble sounds expressive of fear or pain.
whip	The sound of beating with a whip.
whirr	The sound of something rapidly rotating.
whish	Swishing sound.
whisper	A soft or confidential talk.
whizz	A whistling or buzzing sound made by something moving fast through the air.
whoop	A long rasping indrawn breath, sometimes expressing excitement.
whoosh	An exclamation used to imitate sudden movement accompanied by a rushing sound.
woof	The barking sound made by a dog.
yelp	A short, sharp cry, especially of pain or alarm.
yikes	An exclamation expressing shock and alarm, often for humorous effect.
zap	Sound of something done rapidly.
zing	A high-pitched buzzing noise.
zip	Sonund of fastening with a zip or something done fast.
zoom	Sound of sudden fast movement.

List of Animal Sounds