al·lo·phone | \ ˈa-lə-ˌfōn 
\
\Definition of allophone
: one of two or more variants of the same phoneme
the aspirated \p\ of pin and the unaspirated \p\ of spin are allophones of the phoneme \p\
Other Words from allophone
allophonic \ ˌa-lə-ˈfä-nik \ adjective
\ adjectiveKeep scrolling for more
Comments on allophone
What made you want to look up allophone? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Test Your Vocabulary
Words of Snow and Ice Quiz
- Which of the following refers to thin, bending ice, or to the act of running over such ice?
Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZ
Anagram puzzles meet word search.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridgedWords at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games
- Words of Snow and Ice Quiz
A selection of words from the chillier parts of t...
Take the quiz - Name that Thing: Toys and Games Edition
It's all fun and games until someone beats your h...
Take the quiz - True or False?
Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something a...
Take the quiz - SCRABBLE® Sprint
SCRABBLE® fans, sharpen your skills!
Play the game
Share allophone
Time Traveler for allophone
The first known use of allophone was in 1938
See more words from the same year