Basic Details
Word: Exclamation
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: A short, sudden cry or remark that shows strong feeling, such as surprise, joy or pain.
Synonyms: cry, shout, outcry
Antonyms: whisper, murmur
How to Spell Exclamation
Syllables: ex - cla - ma - tion
Tricky part: The verb exclaim has ai, but the noun drops the i: exclamation, not exclaimation. This is by far the most common slip with this word.
Watch out for: exclaimation, exclamaition, exclemation
Memory tip: Proclaim gives proclamation in the same way: the i of claim vanishes in both nouns. Say ex-cla-ma-tion slowly and write only the vowels you hear.
Usage Examples
Example 1: A loud exclamation came from the kitchen when the cooker whistle blew.
Example 2: Put an exclamation mark after a word like hurray.
Example 3: Her exclamation of surprise made the whole class turn around.
Fun Fact
Many older typewriters had no key for the exclamation mark, so typists made one by typing a full stop, going back one space and typing an apostrophe above it.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Cookie
Fill in the missing letters to complete the word:
excl_m_tion
a) a, i
b) a, a
c) i, a
d) e, a
Show answer
b) a, a. Both gaps take an a, the vowel you hear in cla and ma; no i follows the first a.
Mingle-Mangle
Unjumble the letters in the sentence to form a meaningful word:
A sudden oitnamaclxe from the back row told the teacher that someone had seen a snake.
a) explanation
b) exclamation
c) examination
d) declaration
Show answer
b) exclamation. With eleven letters, one n and an x, the jumble rules out explanation (a p and two n's), examination (two n's) and declaration (no x).
Word Connection
Choose the synonym of the word exclamation as used in the sentence:
Grandpa let out a loud exclamation of pain when he stubbed his toe on the steps.
a) smile
b) cry
c) silence
d) nod
Show answer
b) cry. A cry is a sudden sound that shows feeling, which is what an exclamation of pain is.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Which of these is an exclamation?
a) Seven
b) Ouch
c) Slowly
d) Table
Show answer
b) Ouch
2. Which verb is the noun exclamation formed from?
a) examine
b) exclaim
c) excel
d) explain
Show answer
b) exclaim
