alliterative

C2 Topic:Describing Qualities

US /əˈlɪt.ə.rə.tɪv/ UK /əˈlɪt.ər.ə.tɪv/ See IPA manual

Freq #145630

Meanings

1

adj
using or characterized by the repetition of the same initial sound in nearby words or stressed syllables

The critic praised the poem's dense alliterative pattern of repeated consonants.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 adj · using or characterized by... alliterational

Opposites

nonalliterative

Word family

Derived forms alliteratively

Related forms alliteration assonance consonance rhyme

Appears in

Phrases (1)

See all

alliterative verse
poetry that uses repeated initial sounds as a central organizing feature

Adjective + noun

Etymology

From alliterate + -ive. Alliterate was formed from Latin ad-, 'to,' and littera, 'letter,' on the model of obliterate; alliterative therefore literally describes words directed toward the same initial letter or sound.

Topics

Describing Qualities Word Formation & Derivatives

External links

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