Metonymy — Definition and Examples
Metonymy definition
Metonymy is a figure of speech where the name of an object or idea is replaced with a closely related word that is representative of the object or idea.
While connected in some way, the replacement word is not literally part of the represented object or idea; instead, it shares a close association:
The pen is mightier than the sword.
The word "pen" replaces the phrase "written word." While a pen is not a characteristic of the written word, it is closely associated with it.
Why use metonymy?
By using figurative language like metonyms, authors can express their creativity, make words more powerful, and produce concise writing.
Creative: By incorporating words and phrases that highlight the association of ideas, writers can utilize more creative word choices.
Powerful: Writers can develop complexity to their work by transforming ordinary words that lack profundity into ones that contain more meaning.
Concise: Metonymy allows writers to use shorter phrases to represent big ideas, making their writing more concise.
Synecdoche vs. metonymy
Synecdoche and metonymy are both types of semantics, but synecdoche is a literary device where a part of something represents the whole thing. While the part and whole of synecdoche have a literal connection, metonymy does not. Instead, it is closely associated with what it references.
Metonymy: We asked her to play some tunes.
Synecdoche: We had asked her to tickle the ivories.
"Tickling the ivories" identifies a literal characteristic of a piano, as keys were originally ivory; "tunes" gives the effect of playing the piano.
Metonymy examples
Common examples of metonymy in everyday speech include the following:
| Metonymy | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| airlines | planes | Which airline are you taking to New York? |
| crown | king or queen | He pledged his loyalty to the crown. |
| give me a hand | help | Could you give me a hand this weekend? |
| heart | love/affection | She makes my heart skip a beat. |
| Hollywood | film industry | Most people try what Hollywood says is cool. |
| kettle/pot | water | Let me know when the pot starts boiling. |
| new blood | new people | We need new blood to help us come up with unique ideas. |
| ride | car | Her high school graduation present was a nice, new ride. |
| stuffed shirts | pompous | He thought Silicon Valley was full of stuffed shirts. |
| White House | president | The White House plans to sign the bill this afternoon. |
The following literary examples incorporate the use of metonymy:
The Tragedy of Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare: "Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears."
"Lend me your ears" replaces listening or paying attention.
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain: "He said he reckoned a body could reform the old man with a shotgun, maybe, but he didn’t know no other way."
"Body" is a replacement for a person.
Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell: "I'm mighty glad Georgia waited till after Christmas before it secedes or it would have ruined the Christmas parties."
"Georgia" replaces the government and voting citizens of the state.