Vocabulary Worksheet · Grades 6–9
Metonymy Worksheet
A printable vocabulary worksheet for grades 6-9 on metonymy. Students learn that metonymy uses a word or phrase closely associated with something to stand for that thing, then interpret eight metonyms drawn from journalism, history, and everyday speech and answer four short-response questions. A complete answer key is included.
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Subject
Vocabulary
Grades
Grades 6–9
Skill Focus
Metonymy, figurative language
Lesson Length
25 minutes
Lesson Overview
About this worksheet
Metonymy is a figure of speech that substitutes a related word, place, or concept for the thing it represents. Instead of naming something directly, a writer uses a closely associated term — a building for an institution, a place for an industry, or an author’s name for their written works. Metonymy appears frequently in journalism, literature, and everyday speech.
The reference box and Section A are on page 1. The reference defines metonymy with two clear examples from different domains. Section A has eight sentences, each containing an ALL-CAPS metonym from a distinct domain; students write what each metonym actually represents.
Section B on page 2 has four short-response questions, including writing an original metonymy and explaining the figure of speech in a provided example. Page 3 is a complete answer key with sample answers.
How to Use This Lesson
Read the reference box and discuss how metonymy differs from a simple synonym.
Complete Section A on page 1, writing what each ALL-CAPS term represents.
Share additional metonyms students have heard in news or everyday speech.
Use the answer key on page 3 for self-check.
Pair with the Synecdoche Worksheet or the Figurative Language Review Worksheet.
Printable Resource
A classroom-ready PDF with everything in one printable resource.
Full Member Resource · Printable PDF · 3 pages · Answer Key
Metonymy Worksheet
A printable vocabulary worksheet for grades 6-9 on metonymy. Students learn that metonymy uses a word or phrase closely associated with something to stand for that thing, then interpret eight metonyms drawn from journalism, history, and everyday speech and answer four short-response questions. A complete answer key is included.
For Teachers
Teaching this? Here is the full lesson plan
Synecdoche and Metonymy: When One Thing Stands In for Another — a complete 45-minute lesson plan for Grades 6-8: objectives, warm-up, direct instruction, guided and independent practice, assessment, and differentiation. Free to read, no sign-in required. This resource is one of the student materials it uses.
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