Morphemes Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
🔤
morphemes
[ˈmɔːfim ]
Definition
linguistics
Morphemes are the smallest units of language that have meaning. They can be individual words or parts of words, such as prefixes or suffixes. Morphemes are essential for understanding the structure of words and how they convey meaning.
Synonyms
grammatical unit, linguistic unit.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| linguistic unit |
A broad term that can refer to any element within the structure of a language, including sounds, words, morphemes, and phrases. Suitable for general discussions in linguistics.
|
| grammatical unit |
Refers to a component of grammar, such as a word, phrase, or clause, that performs a grammatical function within a sentence. Often used in grammatical analysis and teaching.
|
Examples of usage
- Morphemes can be single words like 'cat' or parts of words like 'un-' (meaning not) or '-s' (plural marker).
- In the word 'untie', 'un-' and '-tie' are both morphemes contributing to the overall meaning.
- The study of morphemes is crucial in linguistics to analyze the formation of words and their meanings.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Origin of 'morphemes'
The term 'morpheme' was first introduced by the linguist Leonard Bloomfield in the 1930s. It has since become a fundamental concept in the field of linguistics, helping researchers understand the structure and meaning of words in various languages. The study of morphemes has led to significant advancements in our knowledge of language and communication.