noun

zeugma

/ˈzjuːɡmə/ · say it: ZYOOG·muh

one word applied to two others in different senses

In more detail

1. (noun) a figure of speech in which a word is applied to two parts of a sentence in different senses, or in a grammatically correct way to only one part

2. (noun) a figure of speech in which a word applies grammatically to multiple parts of a sentence but with different meanings in each

Examples

1. In "he lost his keys and his temper," the verb "lost" is used in different senses—one literal and one figurative.
2. The phrase "she broke his heart and his favorite vase" uses "broke" in different ways with two different objects.

How to use zeugma

Zeugma is a literary and rhetorical device used to create wit, humor, or surprising connections by applying a single word in multiple senses across a sentence. The term appears in academic discussions of rhetoric and poetry, and while closely related to syllepsis, it is the broader umbrella term. It is typically discussed in formal literary analysis rather than everyday speech.

Common phrases

example of zeugma
zeugma in literature
rhetorical zeugma
create a zeugma
zeugma for effect

Synonyms

syllepsis

Word family

zeugmatic · zeugmatical

A common mistake

Learners sometimes confuse zeugma with other figures of speech like pun or metaphor, or fail to recognize that the word must genuinely apply to multiple parts of the sentence in different ways, not merely appear twice.

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