Antonomasia Definition

ăntə-nə-māzhə

noun

The substitution of a title or epithet for a proper name, as in calling a sovereign “Your Majesty.”

American Heritage

The use of an epithet or title in place of a name, as in calling a judge his honor.

Webster's New World

The substitution of a personal name for a common noun to designate a member of a group or class, as in calling a traitor a “Benedict Arnold.”

American Heritage

The use of a proper name in place of a common noun which it represents, as in calling a philanderer a Don Juan.

Webster's New World

(rhetoric) The substitution of an epithet or title in place of a proper noun.

Wiktionary

Other Word Forms of Antonomasia

Singular:

antonomasia

Plural:

antonomasias

Latin from Greek antonomazein to name instead anti- instead of anti– onomazein to name (from onoma name nō̆-men- in Indo-European roots)

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

Find similar words to antonomasia using the buttons below.