Definition

A linguistic or chemical process where elements, sounds, or letters are rearranged or exchanged to create new forms or meanings.

Example

The word 'aks' is an example of metathesis, where the sounds are switched to form 'ask'.

Conversation

Have you ever heard of the term metathesis?

Yeah, I think it’s when sounds in a word switch places, right?

Exactly! It’s interesting how it happens in languages over time.

Totally, like how people sometimes say 'aks' instead of 'ask'.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Metathesis → It is formed from "meta-" (meaning change or transformation) and "thesis" (from Greek "thesis", meaning placing or positioning). The word describes the act of changing the position of sounds or letters in a word.

Memory Tip

Think of 'change' ('meta-') in the 'positioning' ('thesis') of sounds or letters — that's what metathesis means.

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