Definition

Related to the part of the throat that contains the vocal cords and is involved in producing sounds.

Example

The glottal stop is a sound made by briefly stopping airflow in the throat.

Conversation

Have you ever heard about glottal sounds in speech?

Yeah, I think they occur when you use the vocal cords, right?

Exactly! It's fascinating how glottal stops can change the meaning of words.

For sure! It really shows how complex language can be.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Glottal is derived from "glotta" (from Greek γλῶττα, meaning tongue) and the suffix "-al" (meaning pertaining to). The term refers to something related to the glottis, which is the part of the larynx consisting of the vocal cords and the opening between them, thus relating to the tongue and speech.

Memory Tip

Think of 'glotta' meaning tongue, and remember that 'glottal' refers to something related to the vocal cords and speech, like how the tongue helps produce sounds.

Visually Confused Words