inflection

noun

in·​flec·​tion in-ˈflek-shən 

1

: change in pitch or loudness of the voice

2

a

: the change of form that words undergo to mark such distinctions as those of case, gender, number, tense, person, mood, or voice

b

: a form, suffix, or element involved in such variation

c

: accidence

3

: the act or result of curving or bending : bend

4

a

: change in curvature of an arc or curve from concave to convex or conversely

b

: inflection point

Did you know?

Changing the pitch, tone, or loudness of our words are ways we communicate meaning in speech, though not on the printed page. A rising inflection at the end of a sentence generally indicates a question, and a falling inflection indicates a statement, for example. Another way of inflecting words is by adding endings: -s to make a noun plural, -ed to put a verb in the past tense, -er to form the comparative form of an adjective, and so on.

Synonyms

• angle
• arc
• arch
• bend
• bow
• crook
• curvature
• curve
• turn
• wind

Examples of inflection in a Sentence

She spoke with no inflection.

She read the lines with an upward inflection.

Most English adjectives do not require inflection.

“Gone” and “went” are inflections of the verb “go.”

English has fewer inflections than many other languages.

Recent Examples on the Web

Analysts see a coming inflection for the chip equipment supplier’s business. —Jim Cramer, CNBC, 31 Mar. 2025

Both director and actor seek to defy tone and expectation, and Pattinson’s performance, using a weird little voice and delivering oddball line readings and inflections, fits perfectly with the auteur’s unique approach to humor and sincerity. —Katie Walsh, Twin Cities, 8 Mar. 2025

Gordon's pastiche hits every beat, from the foot-stomping rhythm to the clapping in unison and the dramatic vocal inflections. —Lee Habeeb, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Apr. 2025

Many professionals end on an upward inflection, which makes statements sound like questions. —Benjamin Laker, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1531, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Phrases Containing inflection

• inflection point
• point of inflection

Rhymes for inflection

• abjection
• advection
• affection
• bijection
• bisection
• collection
• complexion
• confection
• connection
• connexion
• convection
• correction

Kids Definition

inflection

noun

in·​flec·​tion in-ˈflek-shən 

1

: a change in the pitch or tone of a person's voice

2

: the change in the form of a word showing its case, gender, number, person, tense, mood, voice, or comparison

inflectional

-shnəl

-shən-ᵊl

adjective

Medical Definition

inflection

noun

in·​flec·​tion

variants or chiefly British inflexion

in-ˈflek-shən 

: the act or result of curving or bending