Friends, in English language you must have come across a term called “Figure of Speech”. It literally means ‘a word or phrase used in non-literal way to give special effect, make an expression colourful, or share a deeper feeling. Common types include similes, metaphors, and personification’ and many more.
Explained Simply
1 Simile -compares using like or as. Example-“She is brave as lion”.
2 Metaphor- direct comparison without like or as. Example-“He is a thief”.
3 Personification- give human traits to non-human things. Example- “ The wind whispered”.
4 Hyperbole-intentional exaggeration. Example “I have told you million times”.
5 Oxymoron- two contradictory words together. Example- “Deafening silence”.
6 Irony- opposite of what is expected. Example- “ A fire station burns down”.
7 Alliteration- repeated beginning sounds. Example- “Peter Piper picked peppers”.
8 Onomatopoeia- words that imitate sounds. Example- “Buzz”, “Bang”, “Splash”.
9 Idiom- phrase with non literal meaning. Example- “Break the ice”.
10 Euphemism- polite replacement for a harsh word. Example- “Passe away”.
11 Litotes- understatement using a negative. Example- ‘Not bad”.
12 Pun- wordplay based on multiple meanings. Example- “Time flies like an arrow”.
13 Syncedoche- a part represents the whole. Example-“All hands on deck”.
14 Metonymy- something closely related represents another thing. Example- The White House announced…”.
15 Anaphora- repetition at the beginning of clauses. Example- Every day, every night, every moment”.
16 Epistrophe- repletion at the end of clauses. Example- “..for the people, by the people.”
17 Apostrophe- speaking to someone absent or something non human. Example-“O Death where is your sting”.
18 Paradox- statement that seems contradictory but is true. Example-Less is more”.
19 Antithesis- contrasting ideas placed together. Example- “Many are called, but few are selected”.
20 Climax- ideas arranged from weakest to strongest. Example- “He whispered, shouted, then screamed”.
21 Anti climax- strong build up ending weakly or unexpectedly. Example- “For bravery, wisdom and …free pizza”.
22 Rhetorical Question- question that does not need an answer. Example- “who does not love weekends”.
23 Allusion- reference to a famous person, event, or work. Example- He’s a real Einstein”.
Anil Malik
Mumbai, India
28th July 2026