SEEL Alliteration Dictionary

Alliteration Definition

Alliteration is a literary device where each word in a string of words starts with the same consonant (as opposed to assonance, in which a vowel sound is repeated). One use of alliteration is to place emphasis on the words which all start with the same sound. Another practice is to use consonants to create an image. For example, if a string of words all begin with the sound /sh/, then it could create a sound like waves, typically a very soothing sound. A string of words that all start with /s/ could create a sound like a snake talking, implying slyness or trickery.

Examples of Alliteration

• Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.
• Alone along a lonesome lake, Lucy longed for the love of her life.
• The sudden stench of the soggy swamp assailed our noses.
• The crisp crackle of the fire calmed our hearts and cleansed our souls.

How to Use the Alliteration Dictionary

A table with all of the consonants that words can start with (including phonic sounds /ch/, /sh/, and /th/) is found below. To use the Alliteration Dictionary, select one of the consonants you want to use, and a list of common words starting with that consonant will appear. This is not meant to be an exhaustive list of all words starting with each consonant, but a tool to brainstorm possible word choices. SEEL also offers free lesson plans for alliteration and other topics.