spoonerism
Definition: A humorous mistake in which a person accidentally swaps the first sounds of two words, often creating a new, amusing phrase. (noun)
Example: The professor's spoonerism, 'tons of soil' instead of 'sons of toil,' brought a chuckle from the class.
Synonyms: malapropism
Antonyms: correct pronunciation
Practise spoonerism with a free 3-question quiz on Vocab Voyage.
Questions about spoonerism
What does “spoonerism” mean?
spoonerism (noun) means a humorous mistake in which a person accidentally swaps the first sounds of two words, often creating a new, amusing phrase.
How do you use “spoonerism” in a sentence?
The professor's spoonerism, 'tons of soil' instead of 'sons of toil,' brought a chuckle from the class.
What are synonyms of “spoonerism”?
Words with a similar meaning to spoonerism include malapropism. Opposites include correct pronunciation.
Is “spoonerism” a test vocabulary word?
Yes — spoonerism appears in GRE Vocabulary Prep, GMAT Vocabulary Prep, LSAT Vocabulary Prep, General Vocabulary on Vocab Voyage, and you can practise it free with a 3-question quiz on this page.