Library / English Dictionary

NONSYLLABIC

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (adjective) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

(of speech sounds) not forming or capable of forming the nucleus of a syllable

Example:

initial 'l' in 'little' is nonsyllabic

Classified under:

Adjectives

Antonym:

syllabic ((of speech sounds) forming the nucleus of a syllable)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Not forming a syllable or the nucleus of a syllable; consisting of a consonant sound accompanied in the same syllable by a vowel sound or consisting of a vowel sound dominated by other vowel sounds in a syllable (as the second vowel in a falling diphthong)

Example:

the nonsyllabic 'i' in 'oi'

Synonyms:

nonsyllabic; unsyllabic

Classified under:

Adjectives

Similar:

unsyllabled (not articulated in syllables)

Antonym:

syllabic (consisting of a syllable or syllables)

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