paronomasia

[ par-uh-noh-mey-zhuh, -zhee-uh, -zee-uh ]
/ ˌpær ə noʊˈmeɪ ʒə, -ʒi ə, -zi ə /

noun Rhetoric.

the use of a word in different senses or the use of words similar in sound to achieve a specific effect, as humor or a dual meaning; punning.
a pun.

Origin of paronomasia

1570–80; < Latin < Greek paronomasía a play on words, assonance, derivative of paronomázein to make a slight name-change ( par- par- + onomázein to name, derivative of ónoma name); see -ia

OTHER WORDS FROM paronomasia

par·o·no·mas·tic [par-uh-noh-mas-tik] /ˌpær ə noʊˈmæs tɪk/, adjective par·o·no·mas·ti·cal·ly, adverb

Example sentences from the Web for paronomasia

British Dictionary definitions for paronomasia

paronomasia
/ (ˌpærənəʊˈmeɪzɪə) /

noun

rhetoric a play on words, esp a pun

Derived forms of paronomasia

paronomastic (ˌpærənəʊˈmæstɪk), adjective paronomastically, adverb

Word Origin for paronomasia

C16: via Latin from Greek: a play on words, from paronomazein to make a change in naming, from para- 1 (beside) + onomazein to name, from onoma a name