Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

syllabary

noun

/sɪˈlæb.ə.ri/

Definition

A writing system where symbols represent syllables instead of individual phonemes or letters.

Examples

The Japanese Kana scripts are examples of syllabaries.
In a syllabary, writing can represent spoken language more directly than in an alphabet.
Some ancient cultures used a syllabary for their writings, like the Cherokee syllabary created by Sequoyah.

Meaning

Syllabary is a type of script in which each character or symbol corresponds to a syllable, making it distinct from alphabetic systems that represent individual sounds.