illocutionary

adjective

il·​lo·​cu·​tion·​ary ˌi-lə-ˈkyü-shə-ˌner-ē How to pronounce illocutionary (audio)
ˌi(l)-lō-
: relating to or being the communicative effect (such as commanding or requesting) of an utterance
"There's a snake under you" may have the illocutionary force of a warning

Word History

Etymology

in- entry 2 + locution

First Known Use

1955, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of illocutionary was in 1955

Dictionary Entries Near illocutionary

Cite this Entry

“Illocutionary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/illocutionary. Accessed 6 Oct. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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