Metonymy, Definition, Meaning, and Examples

Metonymy Meaning

The word “metonymy” is derived from the Greek word “metnyma,” which means “changing of name.” In a metaphor, an idea or item is referred to by the name of something that is closely related to it rather than by its actual name. According to Metonymy, A word or phrase that represents or stands in for another word or phrase is known as a metonym.

Metonymy Meaning and Definition

Metonymy is a figure of speech in which one term (the name of an idea or an item) is used in place of another that is closely connected to the same thing. The Collins Dictionary defines “metonymy” as “the replacement of a word referring to an attribute for the object that is meant,” while the Oxford Learner’s Dictionary defines it as “the act of referring to something by the name of something else that is closely related with it.”

A metonymy is “a figure of speech consisting of the use of the name of one item for that of another of which it is an attribute or with which it is related,” according to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary. Metonymy is defined as “the usage of a word or phrase when you refer to something using the name of something else that it is closely connected to” by the Macmillan Dictionary.

How to use Metonymy in sentences?

In the English language, metaphor is a non-traditional technique to describe a thinking or idea. It helps you flavour your work and elicit a response from the reader. When using metonymy in your sentences, there are a few things to bear in mind.

• Analyze your intended message for your target audience first.
• Choose the appropriate word or phrase to replace it.
• Then, in place of the word or phrase, choose a word that is verbally similar to it.

Unlike some other figures of speech, metaphor does more than just figuratively convey a piece of information. You may not be aware of it, but you have probably been using metonymy in regular speech without even realising it.

Metonymy Examples

Here are a few examples of metonymy for your reference. Check them out, try to analyse and comprehend how it works.

• • “The pen is mightier than the sword.”

The above sentence should be very familiar to you. It is from ‘Cardinal Richelieu’, a play by Edward Bulwer Lytton. The words – ‘pen’ and ‘sword’ contribute to the effect of metonymy. The two words are not used in a literal sense. On the contrary, the term ‘pen’ refers to written words and the term ‘sword’ refers to military aggression.

• • Everyone should pledge their allegiance to the crown.

The ‘crown’ here refers to the ruler – the king or queen and not literally the object.

• • We loved the special exotic dish we had at the party.

Here, the word ‘dish’ refers to the particular food served in a dish at the party.

• • All of us were happy that Natalie finally made it to Hollywood.

‘Hollywood’ is, in fact, a place in Los Angeles, California. However, the term is used to

refer to the English film industry as the place is associated with the showbiz world.

• • “O, for a draught of vintage!”

The above example is a line from the poem, ‘Ode to a Nightingale’ by John Keats. Keats uses the word ‘vintage’ here to refer to wine.

• • Did you get a ride yet?

In this sentence, the term ‘ride’ is used as a substitute for a car or a cab.

• • That baby has all my heart.

Here, the word ‘heart’ is used as a substitute for love.

• • Do you have any idea what his mother tongue is?

The term mother tongue refers to the language spoken by the individual referred to as ‘his’.

• • My class teacher asked me to give her a hand with the notebooks and records.

‘Hand’ here is a word substitute for help.

• • The coach is looking to add some new blood to our team.

The term ‘new blood’ here refers to new people. The sentence, therefore, means that the coach is planning to include someone new to join the team.

Metonymy Meaning FAQs

Que. What is a metonymy example?

Ans. The coach is looking to add some new blood to our team.

Que. What is metonymy in simple words?

Ans. The word “metonymy” is derived from the Greek word “metnyma,” which means “changing of name.”

Que. What is a metonymy in poetry?

Ans. A figure of speech in which a related term is substituted for the word itself.

Que. Are metonymy and metaphor same?

Ans. Metonymy, as often treated as a subtype of metaphor by cognitive linguistics, has a different working mechanism.

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