Looking up...
diacritics
/daɪˈækrɪtɪks/
marks added to letters to change pronunciation or meaning
The word 'naïve' uses a diacritic to indicate the correct pronunciation.
The diacritic over the 'i' changes how the word is pronounced.
formal
small marks added to letters to indicate pronunciation or meaning differences
In French, diacritics like the acute accent (é) change the sound of a vowel.
The accent over the 'e' alters its pronunciation.
Vietnamese uses diacritics to distinguish between similar-sounding words.
For example, 'má' (mother) and 'ma' (but) are different due to the diacritic.
Diacritics are common in languages like French, Spanish, Vietnamese, and Portuguese.
Collocations
diacritic marksmarks added to lettersaccent marksanother term for diacritics
Synonyms
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Pronunciation Impact
Diacritics often change how a word is pronounced, so pay attention to them in foreign languages.
Meaning Distinction
In some languages, diacritics distinguish between words with different meanings.
Gold Rule
Consistency
Always use diacritics correctly in languages that require them to avoid confusion.
Word Origin
from Greek 'dia-' (through) + 'kritikos' (able to judge), referring to marks that help distinguish letters
Usage Notes
Diacritics are essential in languages where they alter pronunciation or meaning. In English, they are often used in loanwords (e.g., 'café', 'naïve').
Word Breakdown
dia-
through
prefix-critic
able to judge
rootEnglish Dictionary