nonphonetic

Upper-Intermediate (B2)

IPA: /nɒnˈfəʊnɛtɪk/

KK: /nɑnˈfoʊnɛtɪk/

adjective

Definition

Not relating to the sounds of speech or not representing sounds in a straightforward way.

Example

The word 'nonphonetic' describes languages that do not have a direct correspondence between letters and sounds.

Conversation

I was reading about different writing systems and came across some that are nonphonetic.

Oh really? I didn't know there were writing systems like that.

Yeah, it means they don't represent sounds directly, which is pretty interesting.

That sounds complex! I guess it makes learning them a bit harder.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

abstract

symbolic

arbitrary

Antonyms

phonetic

literal

explicit

Root Explanation

Nonphonetic → It is formed from "non-" (meaning not) and "phonetic" (from Greek "phonetikos", meaning relating to sound). The word "nonphonetic" describes something that is not related to or does not represent sounds, particularly in the context of writing systems that do not correspond to spoken language.

Memory Tip

Think of 'non-' meaning 'not' and 'phonetic' relating to 'sound' — so nonphonetic means something that does not relate to sound.

Visually Confused Words

unphonetic