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inflect

verb in·flect \ in-ˈflekt \
|Updated on: 25 Jul 2018

Definition of inflect

inflected; inflecting; inflects
transitive verb
1 : to turn from a direct line or course : curve
2 : to vary (a word) by inflection : decline, conjugate
3 : to change or vary the pitch of
  • inflect one's voice
4 : to affect or alter noticeably : influence
  • an approach inflected by feminism
intransitive verb
: to become modified by inflection
—

inflectable

play \in-ˈflek-tə-bəl\ adjective
—

inflective

play \in-ˈflek-tiv\ adjective

See inflect defined for English-language learners

See inflect defined for kids

Examples of inflect in a Sentence

  1. Most nouns in English are inflected for plural use by adding “-s” or “-es.”

  2. Most nouns in English inflect for plural use by adding “-s” or “-es.”

  3. Most adjectives in English do not inflect for gender or number.

Recent Examples of inflect from the Web

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'inflect.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of inflect

Middle English, from Latin inflectere, from in- + flectere to bend

INFLECT Defined for English Language Learners

inflect

verb

Definition of inflect for English Language Learners

  • grammar : to change the form of a word when using it in a particular way

INFLECT Defined for Kids

inflect

verb in·flect \ in-ˈflekt \

Definition of inflect for Students

inflected; inflecting
1 : to change a word by inflection
2 : to change the pitch of the voice

Learn More about inflect

  1. See words that rhyme with inflect Spanish Central: Translation of inflect Nglish: Translation of inflect for Spanish speakers

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