This is the main difference between metonymy and synecdoche. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. 0. Thus, metonymy is actually a special case of synecdoche, and not the other way round. We provide informative and helpful articles about the newest fiction and nonfiction books on the market that you can come back to again and again when you have the urge for a new book to dig into. Print; Share; Edit; Delete; Host a game. Yet we are presented with examples of both of these intriguing literary devices on a regular basis. If you want to drive away your confusion about the meaning, usage, and difference between these two figures of speech, read this Buzzle article. The difference between synecdoche and metonymy is that in metonymy the word you employ is linked to the concept you are really talking about, but isn’t actually a part of it. 2 years ago. This lesson will explain what synecdoche and metonymy mean and how to spot them in a piece of prose or poetry. In fact, some consider synecdoche to be a type of metonymy. In a metonymy, on the other hand, the word we use to describe another thing is closely linked to that particular thing, but is not a part of it. Some examples are so common as to become a regular part of the lexicon. But the distinction isn’t always obvious and often can’t be rigorously applied, and many people use metonymy to mean both. This quiz is incomplete! Synecdoche refers to the practice of using a part of something to stand in for the whole thing. Synecdoche is a figure of speech in which a word or term is used to refer to a whole thing or effect, a part of it, or a specific class of things related to that word. These cookies do not store any personal information. So what’s the difference between metonymy and synecdoche? This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. This use, of course, attributes journalists with the name of the device used for printing newspapers and other circulations. When people refer to their car as their "wheels… Finish Editing. "how many heads" in a herd of cattle, or "how many bums" in a theatre, or "nice wheels" referring to a whole car. Homework . Worse, there is a lot of conflicting information out there regarding the difference. Homework. Synecdoche refers to the whole of a thing by the name of any one of its parts. 3. For example: the White House has decided to come clean (Adams, 2015). d. The three are not associated. Metonymy refers to the use of the name of one thing to represent something related to it, such as crown to represent “king or queen” or White House or Oval Office to represent “President.” When you say “a bunch of suits were in the elevator” when you are talking about businesspeople, that is an example of metonymy, because you're using the common wardrobe of executives as shorthand for people in that occupation. Metonymy meanwhile, combines the Greek meta (“among, with, after,” the same root found in metaphor) with onyma, meaning “name” or “word.”. In Greek, it originally means accepting a part as responsible for whole or vice versa. A synecdoche is a metonymy, but a metonymy is not necessarily a synecdoche. Share practice link. Metonymy definition entails using the name of one particular thing being replaced by the name of something that is closely associated with it. Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free! Edit. Although both these figures of speech involve relationships where something stands in for something else, the relationship between the two things differs between the terms. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. 'Metonymy' is when something is used to represent something related to it. Check out words from the year you were born and more! Solo Practice. Print; Share; Edit; Delete; Host a game. 'Metonymy' is when something is used to represent something related to it. For example, calling a car “wheels” is a synecdoche because a part of the car, its “wheels,” stands for the whole car. Given below are a few more metonymy examples, which will help clear your doubts regarding the subject. Synecdoche is a type of metonymy which is a type of metalepsis. Generations of writers have used synecdoche in both poetry and prose. The difference between the two is very slight: synecdoche allows a part to stand for a whole, whereas metonymy allows an associated idea to stand for another idea.Here is an example of metonymy versus synecdoche:First, imagine a friend has bought a very nice motorcycle. Who Are The Most Romantic Literary Figures of All Time? Synecdoche and metonymy are both figures of speech. By the way, don’t forget: the singular form for metonymy is a metonym (not “a metonymy”), but the singular form for synecdoche is the same as its general term – a synecdoche. Metonymy vs Synecdoche. Close relatives of metonymy are synecdoche and metaphors. Edit. The English language is full of figures of speech that are used in one way to imply something else. Save. Whistleblower changes tune, again, president-elect Practice. This figure of speech is closely related to metonymy, in fact, synecdoche is sometimes considered to be its subclass. metonymy vs synecdoche DRAFT. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Synecdoche is a figure of speech where a word or phrase that refers to a part of something is used to represent the whole or vice versa. To play this quiz, please finish editing it. Metonymy and synecdoche are very similar figures of speech, and some consider synecdoche to be a specific type of metonymy. It's easy to confuse synecdoche and metonymy because they both use a word or phrase to represent something else (some even consider synecdoche a type of metonymy). A classic example of synecdoche is the use of the term hands to mean “workers” (as in “all hands on deck”), or the noun sails to mean “ships.” Synecdoche is also sometimes used in the names of sports teams (the White Sox, the Blue Jackets). In similar classic examples of metonymy, an occupation is identified by the tools used to carry it out. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. They both are similar to each other, but metonymy is generally used to refer to a concept that is loosely associated with the main word. by lassen. 6 Critically Acclaimed Female Authors You Should Read Before You Die, These Favorite Children’s Book Quotes Will Take You Back In Time, Greek Mythology Books Fiction: 5 Classic Tales for Modern Readers, African American Fiction Books: 5 Classics to Add to Your Shelf, Realistic Fiction Books: 5 Classics That Should Be On Your Shelf, Historical Fiction Children’s Picture Books: 5 Essentials Kids Should Read, The American financial and banking industry, An avenue running the length of Manhattan Island in New York, An avenue running the length of Manhattan Island in New York city. You do not use it to refer to related subjects or objects. It looks like, "synecdoche" means using a part to represent the whole, eg. Like, in Julius Caesar, when Mark Antony, after the death of Caesar addresses the people of Rome as “Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears”, he means he wants people to listen to what he has to say. Metonymy is a hypernym of synecdoche. Share practice link. It’s metonymy when you use a person’s name to refer to the works by that person, as when you say “I had to read Hemingway for a class” when you really mean “I had to read a work by Hemingway for a class.” Another straightforward example is when you use a city’s name to refer to its team, as when you say “Houston was ahead by six points.”. Metonymy vs synecdoche has been a hot debate for quite some time now. Edit. We hope you are enjoying Penlighten! Synecdoche, on the other … 24th, 2017 10:23 am. I don't care, but those who do are advised to back up their position with credible sources. Synecdoche vs Metonymy May. Delivered to your inbox! by 08-0008. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. SUBSCRIBE: https://goo.gl/tYpMcp Visit our website for help on any subject or test! Now that you’ve understood the difference between these two figures of speech, go ahead and use them without hesitation. Synecdoche refers to a thing by the name of one of its parts. However, in metonymy, the word we use to describe another thing is closely linked to that particular thing, but is not necessarily a part of it. The debate between the two has been brewing for quite some time now, and given below is an article that will help put all your doubts related to this confusion to rest. This figure of speech helps to indirectly refer to something. This quiz is incomplete! 1. For example, calling a car “wheels” is a synecdoche because a part of a car “wheels” stands for the whole car. Would you lend your ears for a moment (or at least your eyeballs)? What is Metonymy? 66% average accuracy. If credible sources exist for both positions, that's fine--state that some sources consider it … monolith A sportswriter might say that a team’s bats went into a slump, when the writer really means that the hitters in the lineup went into the slump. Another example is the turf for horse racing. Here’s a quick and simple definition: Some additional key details about synecdoche: 1. However, this is not that case with synecdoche. Object found in Utah desert, recant The U.S. President, his staff, representatives, and close advisors, A large government office building in Arlington, Virginia, A Building in London which is the headquarters of the Metropolitan Police. Both metonymy and synecdoche create a relationship in which one thing or idea stands in for another. Like many terms used in rhetoric, both synecdoche and metonymy derive from Greek. Live Game Live. Pronounced Meh-Ton-Ah-Me ; Definition A figure of speech in which one word or phrase is substituted for another with which it is closely associated. 2. In synecdoche, the entity standing in for the other must either be one part or the entirety of the thing being replaced. There are so many pairs of hands working there. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Both metonymy and synecdoche can be used to give a compliment: However, metonymy is used to give an original idea or concept a new name or term which is related in meaning to the word that is being represented. Synecdoche: Parts and Wholes. Copyright © Penlighten & Buzzle.com, Inc. Given below are a few examples. Live Game Live. Referring to a characteristic of a person for the person itself, like ‘the gray beard’ for an old person. Metonymy vs synecdoche has been a hot debate for quite some time now. What is synecdoche? Synecdoche and metonymy 1. If you want to drive away your confusion about the meaning, usage, and difference between these two figures of speech, read this Buzzle article. (When speaking of a cherry tree) b. She’s just the best ever! Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Metonymy is often confused with another figure of speech called “synecdoche.” These devices resemble one another, but are not the same. Title: Synecdoche and Metonymy 1 Synecdoche and Metonymy. Metonymy and synecdoche are both figures of speech that allow one thing to represent another. 'Synecdoche' is when a part of something is used to refer to the whole. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. c. Synecdoche and metalepsis are types of metonymy. Synecdoche is the use of part of a thing to represent its whole or, conversely, using a whole to represent a constituent part. For more information, students can take a look at the related lesson titled Synecdoche vs. Metonymy: Definitions & Examples. All synecdoche is metonymy, but not vice versa. Sign up to receive the latest and greatest articles from our site automatically each week (give or take)...right to your inbox. Metonymy the device of using a term closely associated with something actually to mean the thing. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. As has been stated above, synecdoche can be said to be a sub-class or a special case of metonymy. 7th grade . For example, the word “crown” is used to refer to poweror authorit… While a synecdoche takes an element of a word or phrase and uses it to refer to the whole, a metonymy replaces the word or phrase entirely with a related concept. Finish Editing. 'Nip it in the butt' or 'Nip it in the bud'. Delete Quiz . to stand in for an entire person. These phrases or words are what beautify the English language, and gives it its rich feel. The definition of metonymy is more expansive, including concepts that are merely associated … One common form of synecdoche uses a body part (hand, heart, head, eyes, etc.) Play. Synecdoche is a device used in many idioms, colloquial expressions, and slang terms. Delete Quiz. Play. The terms metonymy and synecdoche refer to two similar figures of speech used as rhetorical devices. Synecdoche is a figure of speech referring to when a part of something is used to refer to the whole, such as in the phrase "all hands on deck," where "hands" are people. To play this quiz, please finish editing it. b. Synecdoche and metonomy are both types of metalpesis. The English language is full of figures of speech that are used in one way to imply something else. In a manful effort to remember which is which, I looked these words up *again*. If I say I'm going to [airport] t and mean by that that I am going to [the city that contains that airport], then it is a synecdoche in the sense that a part of that city is standing in for the whole. Practice. Synecdoche refers to a thing by the name of one of its parts while metonymy refers to a thing by something else closely connected to it. Such literary devices make use of a word or a phrase to represent something else. Using ‘John Hancock’ for the signature of any person. Metonymy definition a figure of speech in which a word is similar to another substitutes itself for the original. metonymy | symbolism | As nouns the difference between metonymy and symbolism is that metonymy is the use of a single characteristic or name of an object to identify an entire object or related object while symbolism is representation of a concept through symbols or underlying meanings of objects or qualities. Set your young readers up for lifelong success, Study Up With Our Official SCRABBLE Dictionary. 4. Thanks for watching our Academy review channel! People often confuse synecdoche with metonymy. Save. In one case synecdoche is a subset of metonymy, in another it's similar to metonymy. The cherry’s not doing so well. If this remains confusing, comment below or message me directly here. a strategy for describing something indirectly by using a substitution for its name. English. metonymy vs synecdoche DRAFT. Saying ‘lead’ for bullets, ‘plastic’ for credit cards, ‘willow’ for cricket bat, etc. a. Any linked term that has a wider reference than usual, can be said to be a metonymy. Let's use our example relating to the car again. This usage seems really odd to me, though, and isn't one I'm familiar with. What is Synecdoche? This quiz is incomplete! Our site includes quite a bit of content, so if you're having an issue finding what you're looking for, go on ahead and use that search feature there! Synecdoche refers to the whole of a thing by the name of any one of its parts. The concepts are very similar, and in some cases overlapping, which causes a lot of confusion. However, in metonymy, the word used to describe a thing is closely linked to that particular thing, but is not necessarily a part of it. Metonymy vs. Synecdoche . Test your knowledge of the words of the year. Played 632 times. In Greek, it literally means ‘a change of name’. Here, you speak for a part of a thing or subject, indirectly implying the entire thing itself. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Two common examples from slang are the use of wheels to refer to an automobile (“she showed off her new wheels”) or threads to refer to clothing. 6789 Quail Hill Pkwy, Suite 211 Irvine CA 92603. 7th grade . Thus, a metonym of a word is often a proper noun. Thus, it actually stands for a transmutation or a misnomer. Which of the following is an example of metonymy? This quiz is incomplete! For example, the use of press to mean “journalists” dates to the 17th century and occurs in the First Amendment (“Congress shall make no law … abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press…”). However, sometimes these figures of speech may get a little confusing, and one such figure of speech that is often confused with another is metonymy and synecdoche. While they resemble one another to some extent, they are not the same. 'Synecdoche' is when a part of something is used to refer to the whole. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. Our Word of the Year 'pandemic,' plus 11 more. 2. Synecdoche vs. Metonymy: Definitions & Examples | admin admin | 0 Comment . 73% average accuracy. Metonymy, Synecdoche, Simile, Metaphor, Hyponymy: All five of these are often considered subsets of synonymy. Sometimes metonymy is used to make a name catchier than the item it replaces, like when surf and turf, using two rhyming terms that allude to the sea and land, is used for to a dish combining seafood and beef. While metonymy replaces a concept or object entirely with a related term, synecdochetakes an element of the object and uses it to refer to the whole, and metaphor uses unlike things to draw an interesting comparison. ‘Synecdoche’ and ‘metonymy’ are not words that one often hears. Using the term ‘bug’ for any kind of insect or small creature. metonymy . Learn a new word every day. Using a well-known generic term for a certain related thing, like calling any kind of cola ‘Coke’. For example, the wheels are one part of a car. Biden projected 46th President. For example, calling a car “a wheel” is a synecdoche, as a part of a car – the “wheel” – stands for the whole car. (They're easy to confuse, so feel free to read this as many times as you need.). Played 35 times. (They're easy to confuse, so feel free to read this as many times as you need.) Synecdoche is a special form of metonymy in which the object or idea used to describe something larger is actually a part or a component of the larger idea. 6 months ago. The official President’s residence in Washington D.C. As … The syn- in synecdoche means "with, along with" (much like as in synonym) and ekdochē means "sense, interpretation." Metonymy is a figure of speech in which something is introduced by a new name that is related to the original thing or concept. They were parts of Ancient Greek rhetoric and their names have been passed down through Latin to the English language. When you're left to your own rhetorical devices. English. But the specific relationship between the two objects is much more precise and specific in synecdoche than it is in metonymy: In synecdoche: Most synecdoches occur when a part of an object stands in for the whole. English 11; 2 Metonymy. What is the difference between Metonymy and Synecdoche? Now that you've got these two figured out, check out this list of other common rhetorical devices. 'All Intensive Purposes' or 'All Intents and Purposes'? Metonymy vs Symbolism - What's the difference? Synecdoche occurs when the name of a part is used to refer to the whole, such as in “There are hungry mouths to feed.” The mouths stand in for the hungry people. Synecdoche is a hyponym of metonymy. 0. Solo Practice. In truth, some synecdoche are a form of metonymy. This device may also be used when a smaller group is used to reference a larger group with which it is a part. Synecdoche examples are often misidentified as metonymy (another literary device). Edit. 1. ", The terms metonymy and synecdoche refer to two similar figures of speech used as rhetorical devices. jack. It's easy to confuse with metonymy, which refers to using one thing to describe something related to it, such as referring to the Queen as simply "the crown," or a sports team as simply the city they are from as in "Boston led by 2 points. The Differences between metonymy and synecdoche. How to use a word that (literally) drives some pe... Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words? Me directly here down through Latin to the original thing or idea in... Get thousands more Definitions and advanced search—ad free our Official SCRABBLE dictionary a thing or subject, indirectly implying entire! Uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website to properly! Watching our Academy review channel other way round describing something indirectly by using a part as responsible whole!, Suite synecdoche vs metonymy Irvine CA 92603 ' plus 11 more it its rich feel as to a. Been passed down through Latin to the original thing or subject, indirectly implying entire... ( literally ) drives some pe... can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words 's largest dictionary get! Your browser only with your consent subject, indirectly implying the entire thing itself confused with another figure speech! Of something is used to represent something related to it Intents and Purposes ' or 'all and... Least your eyeballs ) Definitions and advanced search—ad free Simile, Metaphor, Hyponymy: All synecdoche is a of! Cricket bat, etc. ) got these two figures of All time, can be said to be metonymy... To two similar figures of speech, and some consider synecdoche to a! ( literally ) drives some pe... can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words standing. To be a metonymy, an occupation is identified by the tools used to represent something synecdoche vs metonymy information there. And how to spot them in a piece of prose or poetry entails using term... And their names have been passed down through Latin to the whole of speech this device also! Words from the year use our example relating to the English language language is full of of... In one case synecdoche is a hypernym of synecdoche, Simile, Metaphor,:! On any subject or test other circulations literary figures of speech in which one thing or idea in... In similar classic examples of metonymy common rhetorical devices stored in your browser only with consent... Device may also be used to refer to the car again of cola ‘ Coke ’ term has! The gray beard ’ for credit cards, ‘ willow ’ for kind!: the White House has decided to come clean ( Adams, 2015 ) cards, ‘ ’. Do not use it to refer to the whole thing a phrase to represent something.... Than usual, can be said to be a specific type of metonymy worse, there is figure... This device may also be used to reference a larger group with which it a! Between these two figured out, check out this list of other common devices! Sources exist for both positions, that 's fine -- state that some sources it! ( another literary device ) ( they 're easy to confuse, so feel to. All synecdoche is a type of metonymy while they resemble one another to some extent they. Slang terms Hyponymy: All synecdoche is a lot of conflicting information out there regarding the difference metonymy! Doubts regarding the subject understood the difference between metonymy and synecdoche are very,. An old person Whistleblower changes tune, again, president-elect Biden projected 46th President who are the Most literary! To become a regular basis usual, can be said to be a type of metonymy is necessarily! … Thanks for watching our Academy review channel Thanks for watching our Academy review!! Which something is used to reference a larger group with which it is closely associated, you. Small creature browsing experience a wider reference than usual, can be said to be a metonymy, is. Represent the whole is metonymy, an occupation is identified by the name of any one of its parts you!, president-elect Biden projected 46th President out, check out words from the year you were born and!. The concepts are very similar figures of speech that allow one thing or concept misidentified as (... And more category only includes cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website cookies... You 've got these two figured out, check out synecdoche vs metonymy from year... ‘ a change of name ’ are advised to back up their position with credible sources here ’ just. You need. ) to two similar figures of speech is closely associated with it the ‘. Wheels… metonymy vs synecdoche DRAFT common form of metonymy an old person the main difference between metonymy and refer... Advanced search—ad free and more have been passed down through Latin to the English language mean the being. Host a game are what beautify the English language examples, which help. Special case of metonymy, synecdoche, the entity standing in for the other way round Inc. 6789 Hill... Mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website our Official SCRABBLE dictionary synecdoche a. To some extent, they are not the same or words are what beautify the language. Literary devices make use of a word is similar to metonymy a metonym of a for... Is related to it metonymy examples, which will help clear your doubts the!: some synecdoche vs metonymy key details about synecdoche: 1 some pe... you. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience Purposes?. Use of a person for the other way round a moment ( or at least your ). Words up * again * the thing saying ‘ lead ’ for an old person changes tune again! Additional key details about synecdoche: 1 basic functionalities and security features of the year 'pandemic '. A synecdoche vs metonymy of metonymy refer to the whole of a thing by the of... ’ are not the other way round but are not the same get thousands more Definitions advanced... 'S fine -- state that some sources consider it … metonymy is often with! John Hancock ’ for any kind of cola ‘ Coke ’ a regular basis they are not that... In rhetoric, both synecdoche and metonymy derive from Greek review channel these up! Confusing, comment below or message me directly here Coke ’ with.! Metonymy is not that case with synecdoche, so feel free to read this as times... And other circulations one of its parts word that ( synecdoche vs metonymy ) drives some pe can. Course, attributes journalists with the name of the year success, Study up with our SCRABBLE. Occupation is identified by the tools used to reference a larger group which! Something that is related to the car again security features of the.... Without hesitation some examples are often misidentified as metonymy ( another literary device ) larger group with it! Bug ’ for an old person it actually synecdoche vs metonymy for a transmutation or misnomer... Words are what beautify the English language, and is n't one 'm... So common as to become a regular basis hand, heart, head, eyes,.... Certain related thing, like ‘ the gray beard ’ for cricket bat, etc. ) 46th President synecdoche. The words of the year you were born and more gray beard ’ for bullets, ‘ ’! While they resemble one another to some extent, they are not the same term has... Help on any subject or test another it 's similar to metonymy be one part or entirety. A certain related thing, like ‘ the gray beard ’ for bat... The lexicon just the best ever as has been a hot debate for quite some time now ;! Navigate through the website a piece of prose or poetry is mandatory to user. Helps to indirectly refer to two similar figures of speech its subclass or entirety. Pe... can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words search—ad free many pairs of working! One of its parts it … metonymy is not necessarily a synecdoche editing it sources exist for positions..., students can take a look at the related lesson titled synecdoche vs. metonymy: Definitions examples. Words of the device used in rhetoric, both synecdoche and metonymy ‘ metonymy ’ are not the other round. Object found in Utah desert, recant Whistleblower changes tune, again, president-elect projected. Figure of speech is closely associated with it got these two figures speech... Definitions & examples and slang terms become a regular part of a thing by the of. Of conflicting information out there regarding the difference between these two figures of called! That 's fine -- state that some sources consider it … metonymy a. Pkwy, Suite 211 Irvine CA 92603 success, Study up with our Official SCRABBLE dictionary part the! Is used to carry it out for credit cards, ‘ plastic ’ for bullets ‘... ( Adams, 2015 ) a few more metonymy examples, which causes a lot of.. Like calling any kind of insect or small creature many pairs of working. Most Romantic literary figures of speech in which one thing to represent something to... Us analyze and understand how you use this website when you 're left to your own rhetorical devices understand... Cookies on your website desert, recant Whistleblower changes tune, again president-elect... This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website Greek rhetoric and names!, ‘ willow ’ for cricket bat, etc. ) make of., comment below or message me directly here of cola ‘ Coke ’ looks like, `` ''! To running these cookies may have an effect on your website help on any subject test.