Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
fonema
Noun
/foˈneɪmə/
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Definition
A phoneme is the smallest unit of sound in a language that can distinguish meaning.
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Examples
- The English phoneme /k/ can be found in the words ‘cat’ and ‘kite.’
- In the word ‘bat,’ the phoneme /b/ changes the meaning when replaced with /c/ to form ‘cat.’
- Different languages may have different phonemes, leading to variations in pronunciation.
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Meaning
Phonemes are the building blocks of spoken language, each representing a specific sound that can alter word meanings.
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Synonyms
- Sound unit
- Speech sound