Definition

The study of the sounds used in speech, including how they are made, combined, and represented in writing.

Example

In her linguistics class, she learned about phonetics and how different sounds are produced.

Conversation

Have you ever studied phonetics in your language classes?

Yeah, it's interesting how sounds can change meanings.

Right? I never realized how important phonetics is for pronunciation.

Exactly! It really helps in learning a new language.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Phonetics → It is formed from "phone" (from Greek "phōnē", meaning voice or sound) and "-ics" (a suffix used in sciences or fields of study). The word "phonetics" refers to the study of sounds in human speech.

Memory Tip

Think of 'voice' or 'sound' ('phone') and remember that 'phonetics' is the study of those sounds.

Visually Confused Words