Table of Contents
Introduction
Have you ever said you’ll ‘Google‘ something or complained about ‘adulting‘? If so, you’ve used anthimeria—a powerful figure of speech that bends English grammar for expressive effect.
English is a flexible language, and writers often bend its rules for expressive effect. One way they do this is by changing how a word functions in a sentence. Anthimeria, also known as antimeria, is the figure of speech that allows a word to shift from its usual grammatical category to another, creating vivid, memorable, and often playful language. It is common in literature, speeches, advertising, and everyday English.
Anthimeria as a Figure of Speech
1. Definition of Anthimeria
Anthimeria is a figure of speech in which a word is used as a different part of speech from its usual one, often for stylistic or rhetorical effect.
Example:
- “I’ll Google the answer.”
Here, Google, originally a proper noun (the name of a company), is used as a verb.
2. Why Anthimeria Is Used
Writers and speakers use anthimeria to:
- Make language more dynamic and expressive.
- Create memorable phrasing.
- Add emphasis or humor.
- Reflect modern or informal speech.
- Show creativity with vocabulary.
Anthimeria allows language to evolve while still being understood through context.
Common Types of Anthimeria
Anthimeria can be classified according to how long the new usage lasts in the language. Some forms are creative and short-lived, while others become fully accepted parts of everyday English.
1. Temporary (Nonce) Anthimeria
Temporary anthimeria—also called nonce usage—refers to fashionable, informal, or humorous wordplay that appears in a specific cultural moment and may quickly disappear. These examples often emerge from popular culture, politics, or social media and are used mainly for stylistic effect rather than long-term communication.
Example:
- “Eastwooding” — meaning talking to an empty chair, a term that briefly gained attention after Clint Eastwood’s 2012 Republican National Convention speech but soon faded from common use.
Such instances demonstrate how anthimeria can be playful and expressive, even if the usage does not survive beyond its immediate context.
2. Permanent Anthimeria
Permanent anthimeria occurs when a word’s new grammatical function becomes widely accepted and integrated into standard English. Over time, these shifts no longer feel creative or unusual; instead, they become part of the language itself.
Common patterns include:
a. Noun to Verb (Verbing)
This is the most frequent form of anthimeria in modern English.
Examples:
- to text (from text)
- to google (from the brand name Google)
- to friend someone on social media
- to book a table
- to head the ball (from head, a noun)
Examples in context:
- “She texted me last night.”
- “He elbowed his way through the crowd.”
b. Verb to Noun
In this case, an action word is treated as a thing or concept.
Example:
- “I could use a good sleep.”
- “That was a good read.”
- “Let’s give it a try—no harm in a try.”
c. Name to Verb or Adjective
Proper names can also be transformed to describe actions or qualities associated with a person.
Examples:
- to google information
- creative literary uses such as to boycott (from Charles Boycott) or to mesmerize (from Franz Mesmer)
These forms of anthimeria show how English expands its vocabulary through everyday use and repetition.
How Anthimeria Works
Anthimeria operates through a linguistic process called functional shift or conversion. This means a word changes its grammatical role in a sentence without any change to its form—no suffixes are added (like -ize, -en, or -ing), and the spelling stays the same. The shift is understood entirely through context and word order.
The Simple Formula:
Word (Original Part of Speech) + New Context = New Grammatical Function
Example in Action:
| Word | Usual Role | New Context | New Role (Anthimeria) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proper Noun (name) | “I need to ? that fact.” | Verb (“to google“) | |
| Text | Noun (written words) | “Did she ? you?” | Verb (“to text“) |
| Veto | Noun (a blocking power) | “Fear should not ? progress.” | Verb (“to veto“) |
This grammatical flexibility is a core strength of English. While other languages might require a new word or a different form, English often simply repurposes an existing one.
Why It’s Effective: A Summary
Writers and speakers choose anthimeria to achieve specific effects, which we’ve seen in the examples throughout this guide:
- Conciseness: It’s often more direct. Compare “Let’s table this discussion” to “Let’s postpone this discussion for later.”
- Vividness: It creates a strong image or metaphor. “The policy could orphan key industries” is more evocative than “abandon.”
- Modernity & Creativity: It reflects how language evolves in real-time, especially in digital culture (
to ghost,to spam). - Memorability: It makes phrases stick, which is why it’s so popular in advertising (“Think Different“).
Whether a temporary creative spark or a permanent language change, anthimeria demonstrates the dynamic and inventive nature of English communication.
Anthimeria in Everyday English
Anthimeria is extremely common in everyday English, especially in informal speech, slang, business communication, and advertising. Because English is a highly flexible language, speakers often shift words from one grammatical category to another to communicate ideas more quickly, vividly, or creatively. One of the most noticeable patterns is the tendency to “verb” nouns or, less frequently, to turn verbs or adjectives into nouns.
1. Common Anthimeria in Daily Use
Many anthimeria examples are so familiar that speakers no longer notice them as stylistic devices.
- Google – Originally a proper noun, now widely used as a verb meaning to search for information online.
- Adulting – The noun adult used as a verb to describe handling responsibilities associated with adulthood (e.g., “I’m terrible at adulting today.”)
- Text / Texting – A noun that became the standard verb for sending messages.
- Ghosting – The noun ghost turned into a verb meaning to suddenly stop all communication.
- Friend – Used as a verb on social media platforms (e.g., “He friended me on Facebook.”)
- Slash – A punctuation mark used as a conjunction or topic connector (e.g., “I went to class slash caught up on shows.”)
These examples show how anthimeria often begins in casual contexts and gradually becomes normalized.
2. Anthimeria in Business English and Slang
In professional and informal registers alike, anthimeria helps speakers sound efficient, modern, or persuasive.
- Solutionize – A corporate expression that turns the noun solution into a verb meaning to develop or apply a solution.
- Table – A noun used as a verb meaning to postpone a discussion (especially in American English).
- Impact – Commonly used as a verb in business contexts (e.g., “This decision will impact our revenue.”)
While some of these usages are criticized in formal writing, they are widely accepted in spoken and professional communication.
3. Anthimeria in Advertising and Branding
Advertisers frequently rely on anthimeria to create short, memorable, and emotionally engaging slogans. By shifting a word’s grammatical role, brands make language feel fresh and distinctive.
- “Spread the Happy” (Nutella) – The adjective happy functions as a noun.
- “Think Different” (Apple) – The adjective different is used instead of the expected adverb differently.
- “Your Best Beautiful” (Olay) – The adjective beautiful is turned into a noun.
- “The Future of Awesome” (Xfinity) – The adjective awesome becomes a noun representing a concept or quality.
These examples highlight how anthimeria enhances memorability and emotional impact, making it a powerful tool in marketing language.
These examples show how English speakers naturally use anthimeria without thinking about grammar rules.
Anthimeria in Literature and Formal Situations
1. William Shakespeare
Shakespeare frequently uses anthimeria by turning nouns into verbs for emotional and dramatic effect. In Richard II, he writes:
“Grace me no grace, nor uncle me no uncle.”
— Richard II
In the above example, he uses grace as a verb, making his language more poetic.
In Shakespeare’s King Lear, the king employs anthimeria when he says the thunder
“When the rain came to wet me once, and the wind to make me chatter, when the thunder would not peace at my bidding—there I found ’em, there I smelt ’em out. Go to, they are not men o’ their words.”
Here, “peace” is innovatively used as a verb, meaning the thunder refused to become silent or grant him tranquility.
2. Ernest Hemingway
Here is an example from Ernest Hemingway’s Green Hills of Africa:
“Me, dictionary-ing heavily”
Hemingway uses anthimeria (using ‘dictionary’ as a verb) to create expressive, character-driven language.
3. Jane Austen’s Emma:
“Heavens! Let me not suppose that she dares go about, Emma Woodhouse-ing me!”
Jane Austen uses a proper noun—Woodhouse—as a verb.
In modern situations, anthimeria is common. let’s look at some examples:
4. Political/Diplomatic Speech
“We must not allow our fears to veto our hopes for peace.”
The word “veto” (a noun describing a blocking power) is used as a verb meaning “to block or reject.”
It’s powerful and concise. It borrows the weight and finality of the formal political term “veto” and applies it to an abstract concept (fear), creating a vivid and authoritative metaphor.
5. Business/Strategy Presentation
“Our goal is not just to enter the market, but to architect the future of the industry.”
The term “Architect” (a noun for a designer) is used as a verb meaning “to design or construct strategically.”
This use elevates the ambition. It moves beyond mere participation (“enter”) to active, masterful creation (“architect”). It implies foresight, structure, and foundational work, which are positive qualities in a business context.
6. Journalism/Editorial on Economics
“The new policy threatens to orphan entire sectors of renewable energy investment.”
The term “orphan” (a noun for a child without parents) is used as a verb meaning “to deprive of support or protection, to abandon.”
It’s emotionally potent and vivid. While “abandon” or “defund” are standard verbs, “orphan” carries a stronger connotation of vulnerability and neglect, making the criticism more impactful in a formal argument.
Anthimeria vs. Related Figures of Speech
It’s easy to mix up anthimeria with other linguistic concepts. Here’s a brief explanation:
Anthimeria vs. Conversion
- Anthimeria is stylistic and rhetorical.
- Conversion is a linguistic process where words permanently change categories over time.
Anthimeria vs. Neologism
- Anthimeria reuses existing words.
- Neologism creates entirely new words.
To avoid confusion, here’se’s a table that summarizes key differences:
| Term | Core Idea | How It Relates to Anthimeria | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conversion (Functional Shift) | The linguistic process by which a word permanently changes its grammatical category (e.g., noun to verb) over time. | This is what’s happening behind the scenes. Anthimeria is the stylistic, deliberate use of this process for effect. A successful anthimeria may eventually lead to a permanent conversion. | The noun email underwent conversion to become the verb to email. |
| “Verbing” | The informal, everyday term for the most common type of anthimeria: turning a noun into a verb. | “Verbing” is a subset of anthimeria. It describes the action, while anthimeria is the official rhetorical term for the figure of speech. | “Let me Google that.” (You are “verbing” the noun Google.) |
| Neologism | The creation of a brand new word or expression that enters the language. | Different process. Anthimeria repurposes an existing word (e.g., adult → to adult). A neologism invents a new one (e.g., blog, selfie, cyberbully). | Googling is anthimeria (noun to verb). Blog is a neologism (a new noun). |
Key Takeaway: Think of anthimeria as the creative act of shifting a word’s function. If that act catches on and becomes standard language, linguists call the result conversion. “Verbing” is just the popular name for its most familiar form.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Anthimeria
Advantages
- Makes language vivid and memorable
- Encourages creative expression
- Reflects natural language evolution
- Engages readers and listeners
Disadvantages
- Can confuse learners if overused
- May sound informal in academic writing
- Context is essential for understanding
Why Is Anthimeria Relevant for Learners?
Understanding anthimeria helps learners:
- Recognize flexible word usage.
- Expand vocabulary naturally.
- Understand modern and creative English.
- Improve both writing and speaking skills.
- Decodes advertising and media language.
Anthimeria also supports critical thinking, as learners must rely on context rather than fixed definitions.
Practice Exercise: Identifying Anthimeria
Instructions: Choose the sentence that uses anthimeria.
- a) She messaged me yesterday.
b) She sent a message. - a) He gave a long explanation.
b) He longed for an explanation. - a) They quieted the room.
b) They made the room quiet. - a) Let’s go to the party!.
b) Let’s party! - a) They had a good cry.
b) They cried loudly.
2. b
3. a
4. b
5. a
Frequently Asked Questions About Anthimeria
Is anthimeria a figure of speech?
Yes, anthimeria is a figure of speech. It occurs when a word is deliberately used as a different part of speech than its usual grammatical category for rhetorical or stylistic effect. For example, using a noun as a verb in “to google information” or “She adulted all day” is anthimeria. While linguists may also describe it as a functional shift or conversion, in rhetoric and stylistics it is classified as a figure of speech because it adds emphasis, creativity, and expressiveness to language.
What is an example of anthimeria?
A common example of anthimeria is “to google”, where the proper noun Google is used as a verb meaning to search for information online. Other everyday examples include “to text,” “to friend someone,” and “adulting.” In each case, a word changes its grammatical function without changing its form.
What is a synonym for anthimeria?
There is no perfect synonym for anthimeria, but it is closely related to the terms functional shift and conversion in linguistics. These terms describe the same process in which a word changes its grammatical category (for example, from noun to verb) without adding suffixes or altering its spelling.
What is the effect of anthimeria?
The main effect of anthimeria is emphasis and creativity. By shifting a word’s grammatical role, speakers and writers can make language more vivid, concise, or expressive. Anthimeria is often used to:
– Add rhetorical impact
– Create memorable phrases
– Sound modern or informal
– Introduce new words into the language
It is especially effective in literature, advertising, and everyday speech.
What is metonymy as a figure of speech?
Metonymy is a figure of speech in which one word or phrase is used to represent something closely related to it. For example, “the White House” is often used to mean the U.S. government, and “the crown” can refer to royal authority. Unlike anthimeria, metonymy does not involve changing a word’s grammatical function but rather substituting one related concept for another.
Is anthimeria the same as metaphor?
No, anthimeria and metaphor are different figures of speech. Anthimeria involves a change in a word’s grammatical role, such as using a noun as a verb. Metaphor, on the other hand, involves describing one thing in terms of another to highlight similarities (e.g., “Time is a thief”). Anthimeria affects grammar, while metaphor affects meaning.
Why is anthimeria important for English learners?
Understanding anthimeria helps English learners:
– Recognize modern and informal usage
– Improve reading comprehension
– Understand how new words enter the language
– Use English more naturally and creatively
Learning anthimeria also makes it easier to understand idiomatic and contemporary English.
Is anthimeria acceptable in formal writing?
Anthimeria is common in informal speech, advertising, and creative writing. Some forms, like “to text” or “to google,” are now fully accepted in formal English. However, newer or trendy examples (such as “solutionize”) may be discouraged in academic or professional writing, depending on context and audience.
When in doubt, learners should use the standard, dictionary-listed form (e.g., ‘search’ instead of ‘Google,’ ‘add as a friend’ instead of ‘friend’) in formal academic essays.
→ Check this list of figures of speech.
