Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

anlaut

noun
an·​laut | \ˈänˌlau̇t\
plural anlaute\ -​au̇tə, -​au̇tə \ also anlauts

Definition of anlaut 

phonetics

: initial sound or position of a word or syllable — compare auslaut, inlaut

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

First Known Use of anlaut

1848, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for anlaut

German, from an on, at (from Old High German ana) + laut sound, from Old High German lūt; akin to Old English hlūd loud

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about anlaut

Dictionary Entries near anlaut

anl

anlace

anlage

anlaut

ann

anna

Anna's hummingbird

Statistics for anlaut

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for anlaut

The first known use of anlaut was in 1848

See more words from the same year

Comments on anlaut

What made you want to look up anlaut? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

susurrous

full of whispering sounds

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Difficult Vocab Quiz

  • the-education-of-achilles-eugne-delacroix
  • Which is a synonym of discomfit?
Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Add Diction

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games