MEANING
To repeat the same initial consonant sound in nearby words, deliberately or by chance.
Use it for
Describe or create a repeated initial sound pattern.Use in craft notes or criticism when repeated opening sounds shape a line’s rhythm or mood.
Words that belong together
- alliterate a phrase
- alliterate deliberately
- alliterative prose
On the page
The line alliterated softly: “wind worried the window.”
Word forms
- Base
- alliterate
- Past tense
- alliterated
- Past participle
- alliterated
- Present participle
- alliterating
Full tense & aspect guide
- Present
- alliterate
- Present continuous
- am/is/are alliterating
- Present perfect
- have/has alliterated
- Present perfect continuous
- have/has been alliterating
- Past
- alliterated
- Past continuous
- was/were alliterating
- Past perfect
- had alliterated
- Past perfect continuous
- had been alliterating
- Future
- will alliterate
- Future continuous
- will be alliterating
- Future perfect
- will have alliterated
- Future perfect continuous
- will have been alliterating
Choose the auxiliary that agrees with your subject. These are constructions of one word, not separate entries.
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Usage notes
Usually describes repeated initial sounds, not simply any repeated letter; consonant sounds matter more than spelling.
Practice this word in a sentenceYour margin notes
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