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Metonymy - GCSE English Language Definition

Reviewed by: Nick Redgrove

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Metonymy is a figure of speech where one word or phrase is replaced with another that is closely linked to it. For example, when people say "the crown" to refer to the king, queen, or royal power, they are using metonymy. The two things are not the same, but they are strongly connected. This technique helps create strong imagery and can add deeper meaning to a text. Learning to spot and understand metonymy in GCSE English can help you analyse language more effectively.

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Nick Redgrove

Reviewer: Nick Redgrove

Expertise: English Senior Content Creator

Nick is a graduate of the University of Cambridge and King’s College London. He started his career in journalism and publishing, working as an editor on a political magazine and a number of books, before training as an English teacher. After nearly 10 years working in London schools, where he held leadership positions in English departments and within a Sixth Form, he moved on to become an examiner and education consultant. With more than a decade of experience as a tutor, Nick specialises in English, but has also taught Politics, Classical Civilisation and Religious Studies.

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