Loanword Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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loanword
[ˈloʊnˌwɜrd ]
Definition
linguistics, language
A loanword is a word that is borrowed from one language and incorporated into another with little or no modification. It typically retains its original pronunciation but may adapt to the phonological and morphological rules of the borrowing language.
Synonyms
borrowed word, imported term.
Examples of usage
- The word 'ballet' is a loanword from French.
- English has many loanwords from Latin and Greek.
- The term 'sushi' is a loanword that originated in Japan.
- Many technological terms are loanwords in modern languages.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Origin of 'loanword'
The term 'loanword' comes from the concept of 'loan', meaning to borrow something. In linguistics, the borrowing can happen when one culture comes into contact with another, often through trade, colonization, or cultural exchange. The first known use of 'loanword' in this sense dates back to the early 20th century. Loanwords enrich the vocabulary of a language by introducing new concepts, ideas, and things that may not have existed in the borrowing language. This phenomenon is common across languages; for example, English has absorbed thousands of words from languages such as French, Spanish, Italian, and many others, often reflecting historical relationships and interactions. Understanding loanwords helps linguists trace cultural influences and language evolution over time.