Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

phonetics

noun, plural in form but singular in construction pho·net·ics \ fə-ˈne-tiks \

Definition of phonetics

1 : the system of speech sounds of a language or group of languages
2 a : the study and systematic classification of the sounds made in spoken utterance
b : the practical application of this science to language study

First Known Use of phonetics

1836

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year
NEW! Time Traveler

PHONETICS Defined for English Language Learners

phonetics

noun

Definition of phonetics for English Language Learners

  • linguistics : the study of speech sounds

Medical Dictionary

phonetics

noun plural but singular in construction pho·net·ics \ fə-ˈnet-iks \

medical Definition of phonetics

1 a : the study and systematic classification of the sounds made in spoken utterance
b : the practical application of this science to language study
2 : the system of speech sounds of a language or group of languages

Learn More about phonetics

  1. See words that rhyme with phonetics Spanish Central: Translation of phonetics Nglish: Translation of phonetics for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about phonetics

Seen and Heard

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

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

WORD OF THE DAY

satiety

play

fullness to the point of excess

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. hogwash 'nonsense, balderdash'

  2. probity 'adherence to the highest principles and ideals'

  3. sequacious 'intellectually servile'

  4. inadmissible 'not capable of being allowed'

  5. oligarch, pejorative 'a member a government in which a small group exercises control especially for corrupt and selfish purposes'

SEE ALL

BROWSE DICTIONARY

phonetics

Test Your Vocabulary

Difficult Spelling Words Quiz

  • alphabet-pasta-spelling-help
  • Which is the correct spelling?
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