phonestheme Definition
a sound or group of sounds, often a consonant cluster, that appears to have a meaning or contribute to a word's meaning, even though it does not correspond to any existing morpheme in the language.
Using phonestheme: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "phonestheme" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The 'gl-' in 'glow' and 'gleam' is an example of a phonestheme.
Example
The '-ish' in 'greenish' and 'yellowish' is another example of a phonestheme.
Example
The 'sn-' in 'snicker', 'snort', and 'sniffle' is a phonestheme that suggests nasal or snuffling sounds.
phonestheme Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for phonestheme
- sound symbolism
- phonosemantics
Summary: phonestheme in Brief
A 'phonestheme' [ˈfəʊnəstiːm] is a sound or group of sounds that appears to have a meaning or contribute to a word's meaning, even though it does not correspond to any existing morpheme in the language. Examples include the 'gl-' in 'glow' and 'gleam', and the '-ish' in 'greenish' and 'yellowish'.
