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Literature vocabulary · Literary Devices and Figures of Speech

Cacophony

Meaning in literature, with examples

nounAdvanced term

In literature, cacophony means: A harsh mixture of speech sounds used for an expressive effect.

In Turkish: kakofoni, ses uyumsuzluğu

How it is used

Use in sound analysis when harsh combinations support disturbance, conflict or discomfort.

Example sentences

  1. The line's cacophony makes the broken machinery seem to grind beside the reader.

    Harsh sound combinations reinforce the image of damaged machinery.

  2. We read the battle stanza aloud to test whether its cacophony survives the translation.

    The test compares an audible effect across two versions.

Common collocations

  • deliberate cacophony
  • create cacophony
  • euphonyA pleasant, smooth sound effect in language, created by careful word choice, rhythm, and soft combinations of sounds.
  • alliterationThe repetition of the same consonant sound at the beginning of nearby words, as in 'big bad bear', used for rhythm, emphasis or musical effect.

More terms: Literary Devices and Figures of Speech

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