Synecdoche
Word of the Day
What is Synecdoche?
noun
A figure of speech in which a part is made to represent the whole or vice versa (e.g., “wheels” for “car”).
Pronunciation
Why This Word?
Chosen to sharpen rhetorical awareness in reading and writing.
Examples of Use
Here's how this word appears in everyday language:
The headline used synecdoche: “Silicon Valley” for the tech industry.
Calling workers “hands” is an old synecdoche.
The crown as synecdoche stands for the monarchy.
Word Origins
Greek synekdokhē “simultaneous understanding”
Paired with metonymy in classical rhetoric, but they differ.
First appearance in English: late Middle English
Word Family
Related forms of this word:
-
Noun:
Metonymy calls the White House for the administration.
-
Noun:
The trope recurs throughout the speech.
-
Noun:
Writers love figures of speech.
Around the World
How this word appears in other languages:
- Spanish: sinécdoque
- French: synecdoque
- German: Synekdoche
- Italian: sineddoche
- Portuguese: sinédoque
If you Already Know This Word
If you've mastered this word, try these more advanced alternatives:
Metonymy
Association-based swap; synecdoche is part–whole.
Metaphor
Analogy across domains; synecdoche is substitution within a domain.
Merism
Listing parts to evoke a whole (e.g., “high and low”).
Fun Facts
- Metonymy swaps related terms; synecdoche swaps part/whole.
- Sports fans say “We won!” — a synecdoche for the team.
Cultural Usage
- Charlie Kaufman’s *Synecdoche, New York* riffs on identity and representation.
- Classical handbooks catalog synecdoche as a trope.
Common Mistakes
Not “metaphor” generically; it’s a specific substitution.
Micro Story
“All hands on deck!” is a classic synecdoche for sailors.