retroflex
Upper-Intermediate (B2)
IPA: /ˈrɛtrəflɛks/
KK: /ˈrɛtrəˌflɛks/
adjective
Definition
Describing a sound or articulation made with the tip of the tongue turned back against the roof of the mouth.
Example
In linguistics, a retroflex sound is produced by curling the tongue back.
Comparatives & Superlatives
Comparative: more retroflex
Superlative: most retroflex
Conversation
Have you ever heard of retroflex sounds in languages?
Yeah, I read that some languages use them a lot, especially in India.
It's interesting how the tongue is shaped for those retroflex pronunciations.
Exactly! It makes learning those languages quite unique.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
curved
bent
reversed
Antonyms
straight
flat
aligned
noun
Definition
A type of sound made by curling the tongue back in the mouth, often found in certain languages and dialects.
Example
In some languages, the retroflex sounds can change the meaning of words.
Conversation
Have you ever heard of a retroflex sound in language?
Yeah, I think it's when the tongue curls back, right?
Exactly! It's interesting how it changes pronunciation.
Root Explanation
Retroflex → It is formed from "retro-" (meaning backward) and "flexus" (from the Latin "flectere", meaning to bend). The word describes a bending backward, particularly in the context of certain speech sounds produced with the tongue curled back.
Memory Tip
Think of bending something 'backward' ('retro-') — that's why retroflex refers to sounds made by bending the tongue back.
Visually Confused Words
reflex