phonetics

noun

pho·​net·​ics fə-ˈne-tiks 

plural in form but singular in construction

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

Word History

Etymology

phonet(ic) + -ics

First Known Use

1836, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for phonetics

• aesthetics
• ascetics
• asthmatics
• athletics
• cosmetics
• emetics
• esthetics
• genetics
• kinetics
• magnetics
• poetics
• prosthetics

Kids Definition

phonetics

noun

pho·​net·​ics fə-ˈnet-iks 

: the study and classification of speech sounds

phonetician

ˌfō-nə-ˈtish-ən

noun

Medical Definition

phonetics

noun, plural in form but singular in construction

pho·​net·​ics fə-ˈnet-iks 

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