46 Examples of Metonymy

The metonymy Is a rhetorical figure that consists in assigning to an object or idea the name of another element by a relation of contiguity. For example, call salt to the salt shaker for the fact that this is the content.

The word metonymy comes from the Greek terms"meta"(meaning change) and"onoma"(meaning name), so that, in general, it can be said that metonymy is the change of name of a thing or idea .

The relations of contiguity mentioned above can be of several types:

1-Content and container

2-Cause and effect.

3-Product and producer

4-Author and work.

5-Symbol and meaning.

6-Instrument and artist.

7-Zone and product

In this respect, metonymy differs from metaphor Because in these the relation established between the two constituent elements is of similarity.

I- Metonymy examples: Content and container

1. Pass me the salt (pass me the salt shaker containing the salt)
2. Give me water (give me a glass of water).
3. He took four drinks so he could not drive (he took four glasses containing wine).
4. We brought two bottles (we brought two bottles containing wine).
5. He said he was not hungry but ate two whole dishes (he said he was not hungry but ate two full plates of food).
6. He smoked his pipe while enjoying the scenery at dusk (he smoked the tobacco in his pipe).
7. Every day, my uncle smokes three packs (my uncle smokes three packs of cigarettes).
8. The country proposes certain reforms (the country's government proposes certain reforms).
9. He lost his head (he lost his mind).

II- Examples of metonymy: Cause and effect

1. Burned by the sun (burned by the heat of the sun).
2. Plants need the sun to be able to do photosynthesis (plants need sunlight to be able to do photosynthesis).
3. I am dizzy by the sea (the motion of the sea waves makes me dizzy).
4. In that house, the bread is lacking (due to unemployment).
5. My reason for living (the most important thing in my life: my children, my job, among others).
6. He died of cardiac arrest (the true cause of death was an illness or a situation that weakened the body, generating a cardiac arrest).
7. He died of AIDS (in fact, people do not die of Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome but this condition weakens the immune system, so much so that people can die from a simple flu).

III- Examples of metonymy: Product and producer

1. He used a Ray-Ban even though it was night (he wore dark glasses even though it was night).
2. She asked him to marry a Tiffany (he asked her to marry him with a ring brand Tiffany).
3. No matter what season it was, the girl always used Converse (the girl always wore tennis shoes).
4. I think the Renault are great (I think the Renault cars are great).
5. On the red carpet, the actress wore a black Versace (she wore a black suit made by the Versace fashion house).
6. He liked using Crocs because they were more comfortable (he liked wearing Crocs shoes because they were more comfortable).
7. He recommended the use of Timberlands for safety reasons (he recommended the use of Timberland boots for safety reasons).
8. He had a Rolex he inherited from his father (he had a Rolex watch he had inherited from his father).
9. After all this time, I finally got a Lamborghini (I was able to buy a car from Lamborghini).

IV- Examples of metonymy: Author and work

1. In that museum, three Van Gogh are exhibited (in that museum, they are exhibited three paintings painted by Vincent Van Gogh).
2. Do you think it is an original Picasso? (Do you think it is an original painting by Picasso?)
3. I have not read much to Rainer Maria Rilke (I have not read much Rainer Maria Rilke's work).
4. I love Kafka literature (I love the work of Franz Kafka).
5. I'm familiar with Howard Phillip Lovecraft (I'm familiar with the work of Howard Phillip Lovecraft).
6. In my private collection, I have three Dalí (in my private collection, I have three paintings painted by Dalí).
7. It has a Dantesque prose (it has a prose similar to that of Dante Alighieri).
8. They were auctioning a Rembrandt (they were auctioning a painting of Rembrandt).
9. This week we are playing Debussy in the piano class (this week, we are playing pieces by Claude Debussy in piano class).

V- Examples of metonymy: Symbol and meaning

1. The crescent plans a meeting with the European Union (Muslims plan a meeting with the EU)
2. The boot of Europe is recognized for its gastronomy (Italy is recognized for its gastronomy)
3. The White House will make statements tonight (the US government will make statements tonight).

VI- Examples of metonymy: Instrument and artist

1. At the convention, came the best pens of contemporary literature (came the best writers of contemporary literature).
2. The brushes worked fast (the painters worked quickly).
3. The violins stood out for their precision (the violinists stood out for their precision).
4. It is the best sword ever seen in the competition (he is the best swordsman to be seen in the competition).

VII- Examples of metonymy: Area and product

1. The sherry is one of my favorite wines (the wine made in Jerez is my favorite).
2. Reggiano Parmesan has an unparalleled flavor (the cheese produced in Parma, Reggio, Emilia, Bologna and Modena has an incomparable flavor).
3. I prefer Rioja to any other drink (I prefer Rioja wines, Spain, to any other drink).
4. I do not like Bordeaux (I do not like the wine produced in Bordeaux).
5. We toast with champagne (we drink with the original drink of Champagne, France).

References

1. Metonymy. Retrieved on June 9, 2017, from wikipedia.org
2. What is metonymy? Retrieved on June 9, 2017, from grammar-monster.com
3. Metonym. Retrieved on June 9, 2017, from thoughtco.com
4. Examples of metonymy. Retrieved on June 9, 2017, from examples.yourdictionary.com
5. Metonym. Retrieved June 9, 2017, from dictionary.com
6. Metonym. Retrieved on June 9, 2017, from en.oxforddictionaries.com
7. Metonym. Retrieved on June 9, 2017, from merriam-webster.com.