Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
epenthetic

epenthetic

9.9
A sound or letter added inside a word to make it easier to say
  • adjective
  • /ˌɛpənˈθɛtɪk/
  • Specialized
: epentético
  • An epenthetic consonant sometimes appears to break up difficult clusters in casual speech.

Examples

  • The inserted vowel in 'athlete' is an epenthetic sound that some speakers use.

  • The epenthetic vowel helps in the pronunciation of complex words.

  • Linguists analyzed the epenthetic vowels present in children’s pronunciation of certain words.

  • In linguistics, an epenthetic sound can ease the flow of speech.

  • An epenthetic vowel can make it easier to pronounce challenging words like 'film' or 'thump.'

  • Many learners of English use an epenthetic sound when they say the word 'athlete.'

  • In many dialects, the epenthetic consonant appears to help speakers articulate complex clusters.

Surface Forms

epenthetic positive

Morphology

epenthetic = epenthesis (transparent) = epenthesis + ic

Formed by adding the adjectival suffix '-ic' to 'epenthesis', giving the regular meaning 'relating to epenthesis'.

Etymology

Epenthetic comes from Greek parts epi- meaning 'in addition' and -thesis meaning 'putting', the same -thesis you see in thesis, so it means 'putting in'. That's why an epenthetic sound is a sound 'put into' a word to make it easier to say.