Language
What is Alliteration?
Alliteration is the repetition of the same starting sound in a series of nearby words, like 'Peter Piper picked a peck'. It creates rhythm and musicality, making phrases catchy and memorable.
See it, don’t just read it.
Watch a 2-minute lesson with voice + animation that explains alliteration.
Key things to understand
- 1It repeats the same initial consonant sound across close-together words.
- 2Examples: 'wild and windy', 'the sweet smell of success', 'big brown bear'.
- 3It's based on sound, not spelling — 'kind cat' alliterates; 'city sun' doesn't.
- 4It makes phrases catchy, so it's common in poetry, tongue-twisters, and brand names.
- 5Related devices include assonance (repeated vowel sounds) and consonance.
Frequently asked questions
- What's an example of alliteration?
- 'She sells seashells by the seashore', 'busy as a bee', and 'Coca-Cola' each repeat a starting sound for rhythm and memorability.
- Does alliteration have to be the same letter?
- It's about the same SOUND, not letter. 'Kind cat' alliterates (both 'k' sound), and 'phone fan' alliterates ('f' sound) even though the letters differ.
- Why is alliteration used in brand names?
- The repeated sound makes names catchy and easy to remember — think Coca-Cola, PayPal, or Dunkin' Donuts.