paronomasia

noun

par·​o·​no·​ma·​sia ˌper-ə-nō-ˈmā-zh(ē-)ə How to pronounce paronomasia (audio)
ˌpa-rə-;
ˌpa-ˌrä-nə-ˈmā-
: a play on words : pun
paronomastic
ˌper-ə-nō-ˈma-stik How to pronounce paronomasia (audio)
ˌpa-rə-;
ˌpa-ˌrä-nə-ˈma-
adjective

Word History

Etymology

Latin, from Greek, from paronomazein to call with a slight change of name, from para- + onoma name — more at name

First Known Use

1577, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of paronomasia was in 1577

Dictionary Entries Near paronomasia

paromologia

paronomasia

paronychia

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Paronomasia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paronomasia. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

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