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Glite Dictionary
word structure

word structure

4.5
The way sounds or parts join to make a word
  • noun
  • /wɜrd ˈstrʌk.tʃər/
  • Specialized
translation icon : estructura de la palabra
  • The teacher explained how word structure can change the meaning of a word by altering its prefixes and suffixes.
  • Word Structure subtests
  • understanding of word structure
  • Word Structure scores

Examples

  • Accelerated seventh-grade students performing at the accelerated level use their understanding of word structure, context clues, text structures, and the author's style to determine the meaning of unknown words and/or phrases.

    Academic text (2012)

  • Both the Kieffer and Lesaux (2008) and Harris et al. (2011) studies indicated that morphemic analysis strategies improved vocabulary acquisition, knowledge of word structure, and comprehension for ELLs and students with RD.

    Academic text (2015)

  • Seventh grade students performing at the advanced level apply their understanding of word structure, context clues, and text structures to determine the meaning of unknown words and/or phrases.

    Academic text (2012)

  • Proficient seventh-grade students performing at the proficient level use their fundamental understanding of word structure, context clues, and text structures to determine the meaning of unknown words and/or phrases.

    Academic text (2012)

  • Understanding word structure helps students identify the root and affixes of unfamiliar vocabulary.

  • Learning about word structure allows learners to break down complex words into manageable parts.

Synonyms

structure
vsword structure
790 3.5

How parts are arranged in a system like a society or text

is specific to internal arrangement of linguistic units rather than any system
sound structure
vsword structure
  • Specialized
7.0

The way small spoken parts are arranged to make words

focuses on arrangement of speech parts and other elements inside one linguistic unit

How Complex

word structure
  • Specialized
4.5

Surface Forms

word structure singular
word structures plural

Morphology

word + structure

The meaning 'the way in which the sounds or elements of a word are organized' is directly and compositionally derived from 'word' (a lexical item) + 'structure' (how parts are organized). This noun+noun genitive/compound pattern is common cross-linguistically and would be immediately understandable to a B1 learner who knows both constituents.

Etymology

Word structure comes from the simple image of a building: a word is like a small house made of parts, and the structure is how those parts fit together. That's why it means 'the way the parts or sounds of a word are arranged'.