Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
dictionary thesaurus view recents

anlaut

noun
Save Word
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

Time Traveler for anlaut

Time Traveler

The first known use of anlaut was in 1848

See more words from the same year

Statistics for anlaut

Cite this Entry

“Anlaut.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anlaut. Accessed 29 January 2020.

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

allege

Listen to the pronounciation of allege

to assert without proof or before proving

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

January 2020 Words of the Day Quiz

  • image1642096650
  • Which is a synonym of bonhomie?
Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Syn City

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