Word of the day: Onomatopoeia — Meaning, and how to use it like a pro

Word of the day: Onomatopoeia means a word that imitates real sound. Words like buzz, crash, boom, and whisper copy natural noise. Writers use this literary device to create sound imagery and stronger storytelling. Most people associate onomatopoeia with cartoon effects like POW or BOOM. But linguists identify several distinct categories that go much deeper.