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Apostrophe: meaning, definitions and examples

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apostrophe

 

[ əˈpɑːstrəfi ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

punctuation mark

An apostrophe is a punctuation mark used to indicate either possession or the omission of letters or numbers. For instance, it is commonly used to form contractions like 'can't' for 'cannot' and to signify ownership, such as 'Sarah's book.' Apostrophes are essential for clarity in writing, helping to establish the relationships between words and their meanings. Misusing an apostrophe can lead to confusion in texts, making its proper usage crucial in both formal and informal writing.

Examples of usage

  • That's John's car.
  • It's a sunny day.
  • I can't believe it's already December.
  • The dog's leash was left at home.

Translations

Translations of the word "apostrophe" in other languages:

🇵🇹 apóstrofo

🇮🇳 अपोस्ट्रोफ़

🇩🇪 Apostroph

🇮🇩 apostrof

🇺🇦 апостроф

🇵🇱 apostrof

🇯🇵 アポストロフィ

🇫🇷 apostrophe

🇪🇸 apóstrofe

🇹🇷 apostrof

🇰🇷 아포스트로피

🇸🇦 أبستروف

🇨🇿 apostrof

🇸🇰 apostrof

🇨🇳 撇号

🇸🇮 apostrof

🇮🇸 apostrof

🇰🇿 апостроф

🇬🇪 აპოსტროფი

🇦🇿 apostrof

🇲🇽 apóstrofe

Etymology

The word 'apostrophe' originates from the Greek 'apostrophos', which means 'turning back' or 'to turn away.' This term was applied in rhetoric when the speaker turns away from their subject to address someone or something else. The use of the apostrophe as a punctuation mark began in Latin texts, where it was used to indicate omissions in words. The evolution of its usage continued through the Middle Ages into modern English, where it became widely adopted to convey possession and contractions in written language. Over time, the apostrophe has become a staple in English grammar, reflecting the language's dynamic nature and its adaptation to the needs of clear communication.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #23,908, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.