Zeugma
Literary term · say it ZOOG-muh
Zeugma is a figure of speech in which one word, usually a verb, applies to two others in different senses. It often joins something physical with something abstract, creating a surprising contrast or a small joke.
Two ways zeugma works
Linking different meanings
A shared word changes its meaning as it connects two things. The reader understands both meanings without needing the word repeated.
In The Rape of the Lock, Queen Anne's taking of political advice is paired with her tea drinking under one verb. The pairing brings royal business and an everyday refreshment together.
In The Rape of the Lock by Alexander Pope
Joining feelings and physical details
One word links an emotional state with a physical action or circumstance. The unexpected pairing can make a serious feeling seem comic.
In The Pickwick Papers, Miss Bolo's departure after a card game joins her tearful state with her transport by sedan chair. A single verb connects her distress and the practical details of going home.
In The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens
How to spot zeugma
- Look for one verb or adjective attached to two different things.
- Check whether the shared word changes meaning between them.
- Notice any surprise or humour created by the pairing.
What is the difference between zeugma and syllepsis?
The terms often overlap, and reference books do not all draw the same boundary. Some use zeugma broadly for one word serving several parts of a sentence, while reserving syllepsis for cases where that word changes meaning. In everyday literary discussion, zeugma often covers both.
Is zeugma always funny?
Zeugma is not always funny, though it often creates humour. Linking unlike things can also sharpen a contrast or connect an outward action with an inward feeling. Its effect depends on what the shared word brings together and the tone of the surrounding passage.
Related terms
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