Terms & Definitions
Morpheme
The smallest unit of meaning. e.g., "un-", "break", "-able".
Phoneme
Smallest unit of sound that distinguishes meaning. e.g., /b/ vs /p/.
Lexeme
Fundamental unit of the lexicon. e.g., "run", "ran", "running".
Allomorph
Variant forms of a morpheme. e.g., /-s/, /-z/, /-iz/ plural endings.
Homophone
Same sound, different meaning/spelling. e.g., "Knew" and "New".
Homonym
Same sound and spelling, different meaning. e.g., "Bank" (river) vs "Bank" (money).
Allophone
Spoken variations of a phoneme that don't change meaning. e.g., aspirated 'p' in "pin".
Antonym
Words with opposite meanings. e.g., Hot vs Cold.
Synonym
Words that mean the same thing. e.g., "Big" and "Large".
Acronym
Word formed from initial letters. e.g., RADAR.
Onomatopoeia (Phonetic)
A word which phonetically imitates the sound it describes. e.g., "buzz" or "hiss".
Idiolect
The unique variety of language used by a single individual.
Register
Language variety used for a particular purpose or social setting.
Accent
Distinctive way words are pronounced (excluding grammar/vocab).
Dialect
Regional variety including vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation.
Pragmatics
How context influences interpretation of meaning (e.g., sarcasm).
Semantics
Study of literal meaning independent of context.
Syntax
Structure of sentences and rules for arranging words.
Etymology
The study of word origins and historical changes.
Oxymoron
Contradictory terms in conjunction. e.g., "deafening silence".
Palindrome
Reads the same backward as forward. e.g., "Madam", "Level".