Definition

The study of the structure and form of words in a language, or the branch of biology that focuses on the shape and structure of living things.

Example

In her linguistics class, she learned about the morphology of different languages.

Conversation

Have you ever studied morphology in linguistics?

Not really, but I heard it's fascinating how words are structured.

Yeah, it's amazing how much meaning can change with different forms and structures in morphology.

I can see how that would make language so much richer!

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Morphology → It is formed from "morph" (from Greek "morphē", meaning form or shape) and "-logy" (from Greek "logia", meaning study or science). The word "morphology" refers to the study of forms or shapes, particularly in biology and linguistics.

Memory Tip

Think of 'morph' meaning form and 'logy' meaning study — so morphology is the study of forms.

Visually Confused Words