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A mild or indirect word or expression substituted for one considered to be too harsh or blunt. Example: 'He passed away' instead of 'He died.'

The repetition of the same initial letter, sound, or group of sounds in a series of words. Example: 'She sells seashells by the seashore.'

An expression designed to call something to mind without mentioning it explicitly; an indirect or passing reference. Example: 'Don't act like a Romeo in front of her.'

Ironical understatement in which an affirmative is expressed by the negative of its contrary. Example: 'You won't be sorry' means 'You'll be glad.'

The expression of one's meaning by using language that normally signifies the opposite, often to humorous or emphatic effect. Example: 'A fire station burns down.'

A rhetorical or literary figure in which words, grammatical constructions, or concepts are repeated in reverse order. Example: 'Never let a Fool Kiss You or a Kiss Fool You.'

A figure of speech that describes an object or action in a way that isn't literally true, but helps explain an idea or make a comparison. Example: 'Time is a thief.'

A joke exploiting the different possible meanings of a word or the fact that there are words that sound alike but have different meanings. Example: 'Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana.'

A figure of speech in which apparently contradictory terms appear in conjunction. Example: 'Deafening silence.'

A figure of speech in which the speaker addresses an entity that is absent, dead, or inanimate. Example: 'Oh, Death, be not proud.'

The deliberate repetition of the first part of the sentence in order to achieve an artistic effect. Example: 'Every day, every night, in every way, I am getting better and better.'

The omission of conjunctions between parts of a sentence. Example: 'I came, I saw, I conquered.'

The attribution of human characteristics to something nonhuman. Example: 'The wind whispered through the trees.'

An exaggerated statement that is not meant to be taken literally. Example: 'I'm so hungry I could eat a horse.'

A statement that appears self-contradictory or silly, but which may include a latent truth. Example: 'This statement is false.'

The direct opposite, a sharp contrast. Example: 'It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.'

A figure of speech comparing two unlike things that is often introduced by 'like' or 'as'. Example: 'Her smile is like the sun.'

A figure of speech in which a thing or concept is referred to by the name of something closely associated with that thing or concept. Example: 'The pen is mightier than the sword.' (Pen refers to written words and sword to military force).

The use of several conjunctions in close succession, especially where some could otherwise be omitted. Example: 'He ran and jumped and laughed for joy.'

A figure of speech in which a part is made to represent the whole or vice versa. Example: 'Check out my new wheels.' ('Wheels' refer to a car).

The action of enlarging upon or adding detail to a story or statement. Example: 'The thief was more than just a thief, he was a liar, a cheater, and the destroyer of happiness.'

The repetition of a word or phrase in immediate succession, typically within the same sentence, for vehemence or emphasis. Example: 'Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful!'

A figure of speech in which words, phrases, or clauses are arranged in order of increasing importance. Example: 'In the end, what we regret most are the chances we never took.'

The repetition of the last word of a preceding clause at the beginning of the next clause. Example: 'Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate.'

The inversion of the usual order of words or clauses. Example: 'Powerful you have become; the dark side I sense in you.' (Yoda, Star Wars)

A figure of speech in which a word is applied to two others in different senses (one literal and the other figurative). Example: 'He caught the train and a bad cold.'

A rhetorical device used for effect by which a seemingly grand or important idea is reduced to something trivial or lesser. Example: 'He lost the love of his life, his job, and then his car broke down.'

The repetition of the initial word(s) of a clause or sentence at the end of that same clause or sentence. Example: 'Blood hath bought blood, and blows have answered blows.'

The expression of a single idea by two words connected with 'and', when ordinarily one could express it by a noun and its qualifier. Example: 'Nice and warm' instead of 'nicely warm.'