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Glite Dictionary
closed-class word

closed-class word

8.3
A word from a small fixed set that helps show grammar, like in or and
  • noun
  • /kloʊzd klæs wɜrd/
  • Specialized
translation icon : palabra de clase cerrada
  • Prepositions like 'in' and conjunctions like 'and' are examples of closed-class words in English.

Examples

  • Personal pronouns represent a typical type of closed-class word used for grammatical structure.

  • Unlike nouns and verbs, a closed-class word rarely accepts new additions to its category.

  • A closed-class word does not change form.

  • Examples of closed-class words include 'and', 'but', and 'or'.

  • Words like 'and', 'but', and 'or' are examples of closed-class words that help connect phrases and clauses.

  • In many languages, closed-class words such as prepositions and conjunctions play a key role in forming coherent sentences.

  • The term closed-class word refers to types of words that serve grammatical functions rather than expressing concrete ideas.

Synonyms

function word
vsclosed-class word
  • Specialized
1.0

A word that shows the grammar of a sentence, like and or the

is narrower, belonging to categories with a fixed, limited set of members

Antonyms

open-class word
  • Specialized
7.4

A type of word that often gets new words, like nouns and verbs

Surface Forms

closed-class word singular
closed-class words plural

Morphology

closed-class + word

The phrase is compositionally transparent in form: 'closed-class' reads as a class that is closed (i.e. has fixed membership) and combined with 'word' yields 'a word belonging to a closed class.' However, the precise linguistic nuance (that these are grammatical/function words rather than content words) is somewhat technical and may not be fully predictable to an average B1 learner, so it is not fully transparent.

Etymology

Closed-class word comes from the idea of a closed class of words — like a club with a locked door — where new members do not join. So, it means words such as 'in', 'and' or 'she' that are used for grammar and rarely get new members.