easy
Busy bees buzz is an example of alliteration.
What does Alliteration mean?
Alliteration usually repeats the same beginning consonant sound in nearby words.
Dictionary definition
Repetition of the same consonant sound in nearby words, usually at their beginnings, as in "busy bees buzz". In poetry, the repeated sound can also begin a stressed syllable within a word. Alliteration depends on sound rather than matching letters, and it does not require every word to begin alike.
Example sentences
Alliteration in a sentence
medium
The poem used alliteration with soft s sounds.
hard
Writers use alliteration to create rhythm, emphasis, and a memorable sound.
Writing practice
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Quick practice
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Practice the meaning of Alliteration
Answer three quick questions about its meaning and related words.
Question 1 of 3
Practice 1
Which phrase clearly shows alliteration?
Bright, blue, and birds repeat the beginning b sound. Night and light rhyme at the end; the other phrases do not repeat a beginning consonant sound.
Practice 2
Why does "kind cats" alliterate even though its first letters differ?
Alliteration follows sounds. The k in kind and the c in cats represent the same beginning consonant sound.
Practice 3
Why does "city cat" fail to repeat the same beginning sound?
The matching letter c represents different sounds here. Two nearby words can alliterate, but their beginning consonant sounds must match in this kind of example.
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Alliteration
Voice settings
Sounds like
uh · lit · uh · ray · shun · strongest beat: ray
Tap each sound part, then blend the whole word together.
Learn
WordAlliteration.
Partnoun.
MeaningAlliteration means Alliteration usually repeats the same beginning consonant sound in nearby words.
ExampleExample: Busy bees buzz is an example of alliteration.
Word breakdown
5 syllables. Say each part, then blend the word.
- Syllables
- uh · lit · uh · ray · shun
- Strongest beat
- ray
- Ending
- shun
- Tip
- Put a little extra energy on ray.
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Synonym review
Does Alliteration have synonyms?
Alliteration names a particular sound pattern. Sound repetition is a larger category. Head rhyme and initial rhyme are specialist alternative names for beginning-sound alliteration, but are not everyday substitutes for all its uses.
Antonym review
Does Alliteration have an opposite?
Alliteration has no direct general opposite. Plain wording can still contain alliteration; rhyme and other sound patterns are different techniques, not opposites.
Word family
Alliteration word family
Base word
alliteration
adjective
alliterative
Using alliteration: an alliterative phrase repeats sounds.
verb
alliterate
To form alliteration or arrange words to create it.
Related words
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Student support
Understand Alliteration
Hint for students
Listen to the beginnings of nearby words. Matching sounds matter more than matching letters.
Common mix-up
City cat starts with the same letter but different sounds. Alliteration usually repeats beginning consonant sounds; rhyme usually matches ending sounds.
Try it in class or at home
Compare "kind cats", "city cat", and "bright blue birds" aloud. Identify the sounds, then write a short alliterative phrase that still makes sense. Do not force every word to match.
Teacher prompt
Read this model phrase aloud: "Kind cats curl up." Which beginning sound repeats, and why can k and c contribute to the same alliteration?
Learning activities
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