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Wordabulary

metonymy

Pronunciation
Noun B2 Upper-intermediate

Quick answer

A figure of speech in which something is referred to by the name of something closely associated with it.

"Saying 'the White House announced' is metonymy for the president or the administration."

Usage notes

Metonymy differs from synecdoche, where a part stands for the whole, as in calling a car 'wheels'.

Test yourself

Which word fits the gap? "Saying 'the White House announced' is _____ for the president or the administration."

Answer: metonymy

In your own words, what does "metonymy" mean?

A figure of speech in which something is referred to by the name of something closely associated with it.

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