A Huge List of Onomatopoeia Words for Your Screenwriting

If you're like me, you're always looking for a new way to spice up the action lines of your screenplay.

Action lines really need powerful words that not only communicate the image you're trying to put in the readers' minds, and eventually to the screen, but they also have to be concise.

One of the ways to rally be evocative is through the use of onomatopoeia words. But what does that mean, and how do you use it in writing?

Let's jump in.

Onomatopoeia Definition

The meaning of "onomatopoeia" is simple—it's a word that resembles or suggests the sound that it describes. Easy!

The plural of "onomatopoeia" is "onomatopoeiae" or "onomatopoeias."

How to Use Onomatopoeia Words in Your Writing

As you can imagine, when you're writing, you need words to pop, especially in action.

There are so many times I am reading an amateur script and see the same boring action lines over and over again. Spice up the way you write and create an atmosphere with onomatopoeia. Not only are you telling people what happens on the screen, but you're building an aura for what people will hear and feel.

I think it's hard to remember all kinds of new words in real time.

So, maybe try implementing a variety when you polish. Use this big list to pull from and let us know how it works out for you.

Pro-Tip for Screenwriters

When using these in a script, many writers choose to BOLD or CAPITALIZE the onomatopoeia to emphasize that it is a "Sound Event" for the production team.

A List of Onomatopoeia Words

Use these words to make your scripts pop and have the sounds clearly express themselves in a reader's imagination.

1. Human Biology & Vocalizations

• Effort & Pain: Argh, Ugh, Ouch, Groan, Moan, Grunt, Gasp, Wheeze, Rasp, Pant, Huff, Puff, Yelp, Oof, Gurgle, Sputter.
• Laughter: Haha, Giggle, Chuckle, Guffaw, Chortle, Snicker, Titter, Snort, Cackle, Tee-hee, Ha-ha-ha.
• Eating/Drinking: Chomp, Munch, Crunch, Slurp, Glug, Gulp, Swallow, Schlop, Yum, Mmm, Gargle, Guzzle, Belch, Nibble.
• Illness: Cough, Hack, Sneeze, Sniffle, Retch, Gag, Hiccup, Burp, Wheeze, Snuffle.
• Communication: Ahem, Shush, Hush, Psst, Shh, Mumble, Murmur, Whisper, Chatter, Uh-huh, Hmm, Tsk-tsk, Blah-blah, Blurt, Babble, Jabber.
• Emotional: Boo-hoo, Whimper, Wail, Phew, Yikes, Eek, Whee, Woo-hoo, Snore, Yawn, Sigh, Sob, Gasp, Hiss (through teeth).

2. Animals & Creatures

• Canine: Arf, Woof, Bark, Howl, Growl, Yip, Snarl, Yapping, Baying.
• Feline: Meow, Purr, Hiss, Caterwaul, Chuff, Roar, Yowl, Mewl.
• Birds/Flight: Chirp, Tweet, Hoot, Caw, Squawk, Trill, Cluck, Quack, Gobble, Trumpet, Peep, Cheep, Chirrup, Honk, Coo, Warble.
• Insects: Buzz, Hum, Skitter, Drone, Click, Chirr, Stridulate.
• Reptiles/Amphibians: Hiss, Ribbit, Croak, Slither (soft rustle), Peep.
• Farm: Moo, Neigh, Bray, Oink, Baa, Bleat, Bellow, Hee-haw.

3. Impact, Combat & Weaponry

• Ballistics: Bang, Boom, Pow, Whiz, Zing, Rat-a-tat, K-boom, Thwip, Bam, Ka-pow, Pew-pew, Blam, Ker-pow, Pop.
• Blades: Shink, Swish, Zing, Squelch, Snip, Schlick, Chink, Slice, Scrape.
• Heavy Impact: Thud, Thump, Bump, Crash, Smash, Kaboom, Wham, Slam, Thwack, Ker-plunk, Plop, Wallop, Biff, Whack, Clonk, Clatter.
• Blunt/Sharp Hits: Bonk, Clonk, Thonk, Smack, Slap, Clap, Punch, Splat, Squish, Squash, Punt, Bash, Sock.
• Mechanical Cycling: Chak-chak, Kachink, Click, Clack, Snick.

4. Movement, Vehicles & Speed

• Engines: Vroom, Zoom, Rumble, Purr, Throb, Putter, Chug, Drone, Whirr, Whine, Sputter, Chuff, Put-put.
• Tires: Screech, Squeal, Skidding, Thrum, Burnout, Chirp.
• Speed/Air: Whoosh, Swish, Swoosh, Zip, Zap, Fwoosh, Whizz, Flap, Flutter.
• Footsteps: Pitter-patter, Tramp, Stomp, Clack, Flip-flop, Scuff, Crunch, Rustle, Clip-clop, Plod, Shuffle.

5. Technology, Digital & Industrial

• Digital: Ping, Bleep, Blip, Chime, Ding, Beep, Boing, Bloop, Trill.
• Analog/Industrial: Kshhh, Crackle, Hum, Hiss, Ka-chunk, Gear-grind, Whirr, Clank, Rattle, Thrum, Drone.
• Switches/Small Tech: Click, Clack, Click-clack, Tick, Tock, Tick-tock, Tinkle, Snap, Pop.
• Electricity: Zap, Bzzzt, Hum, Crackle, Fizz, Sizzle.

6. Nature, Weather & Liquids

• Liquids: Drip, Drop, Plop, Splash, Bloop, Gurgle, Babble, Slosh, Sizzle, Glug-glug, Squirt, Spray, Fizz, Plash, Splosh, Trickle, Gush, Patter.
• Weather: Howl, Whine, Rustle, Crackle, Pop, Roar, Rumble, Sough, Sigh, Patter.
• Materials: Snap, Crack, Splinter, Crunch, Scrunch, Shatter, Grind, Grate, Rasp, Scrape.

7. Domestic & Household

• Entrances: Ding-dong, Knock-knock, Creak, Slam, Bang, Rap.
• Objects: Jingle, Jangle, Clang, Clank, Clatter, Chink, Tink, Tinkle, Boing, Rustle, Clink, Rattle, Thud.
• Temperature: Brr, Brrr, T-t-t-t.

The "Deep Tracks" (Screenwriter’s Specialty)

• Skitter: Fast, light movement in confined spaces.
• Thrum: A low-frequency, ominous vibration.
• Warble: An unsteady, oscillating electronic or vocal tone.
• Vwoom: The heavy bass sound of power-ups or sliding doors.
• Schlop: Something organic and wet hitting a surface.
• Chime: Clean, high-end technology alerts.
• Grate: Stone on stone or bone on bone friction.
• Shimmer: Ethereal, high-pitched ringing or magical transitions.
• Rasp: A dry, abrasive sound like a file on wood.
• Sough: The mournful sound of wind through trees.
• Hiss-click: Pneumatic releases or pressure seals.
• Squidger: The wet suction of pulling something out of mud or a wound.

Summing It All Up

Onomatopoeia is a powerful tool that can add depth and realism to any piece of writing. When you choose the right words, you can transport your readers to another world and make them feel like they are part of the action. So next time you're writing, don't forget to sprinkle in some onomatopoeia!

Let me know what you think in the comments.