What term describes words that imitate the sounds of things they name or describe?

The term that describes words that imitate the sounds of the things they name or describe is onomatopoeia. This literary device involves using words that phonetically resemble the sounds they refer to, effectively capturing the auditory essence of the objects or actions they denote. For example, words like "buzz," "bang," and "sizzle" mimic the sounds associated with the actions or items they represent, enhancing the expressiveness of language. This allows readers or listeners to not only visualize but also "hear" the described scenarios, enriching their overall experience.

The other options, such as metaphor, simile, and idiom, are different figures of speech that serve distinct purposes in language. Metaphors and similes make comparisons between unrelated things to enhance meaning, while idioms are phrases with meanings not deducible from their individual words, focusing on cultural linguistic expressions rather than sound imitation.