circumflex Definition
a diacritic (^) placed over a vowel in some languages to indicate a specific pronunciation or to distinguish between homophones.
Using circumflex: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "circumflex" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The circumflex is used in French to indicate a change in vowel quality.
Example
In Portuguese, the circumflex is used to indicate stress on a syllable.
Example
The word 'rôle' is spelled with a circumflex over the 'o'.
Example
The circumflex can also be used to distinguish between homophones, such as 'affect' and 'effect'.
circumflex Synonyms and Antonyms
Phrases with circumflex
a diacritic mark placed over a vowel in some languages to indicate a specific pronunciation or to distinguish between homophones
Example
The circumflex accent is used in French to indicate a change in vowel quality.
a vowel that is pronounced with a circumflex accent
Example
The word 'crème' contains a circumflex vowel over the 'e'.
a key on a keyboard that produces a circumflex character (^)
Example
To type a circumflex, press the circumflex key followed by the vowel you want to accent.
Origins of circumflex
from Latin 'circumflexus', meaning 'bent around'
Summary: circumflex in Brief
The term 'circumflex' [ˈsɜːrkəmflɛks] refers to a diacritic (^) placed over a vowel in some languages to indicate a specific pronunciation or to distinguish between homophones. It is used in French to indicate a change in vowel quality, in Portuguese to indicate stress on a syllable, and to distinguish between homophones like 'affect' and 'effect.' The term extends into phrases like 'circumflex accent,' 'circumflex vowel,' and 'circumflex key.'
