Phonically Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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phonically

[fəˈnɛtɪkli ]

Definition

Context #1 | Adverb

in pronunciation

In a phonetic manner; with respect to sounds of speech.

Synonyms

phonetically, sound-wise.

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Word Description / Examples
phonically

Incorrect spelling or redundant term, use 'phonically' instead.

phonetically

Used in linguistic contexts to describe the way sounds are produced and used in speech, typically in a more scientific or academic setting.

  • The word is transcribed phonetically.
  • We will learn how to write words phonetically in this course.
sound-wise

Informally used to compare or describe sound characteristics of various entities, often in casual conversation.

  • The new album isn't as impressive sound-wise as their last one.
  • Sound-wise, this car is very quiet compared to others.

Examples of usage

  • She spelled it out phonically, letter by letter.
  • The teacher explained the correct pronunciation phonically to the students.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Education

  • Learning phonics is a crucial step in literacy, helping children decode words by sounds rather than visual memory.
  • Phonically-driven methods have shown to improve reading skills in early education, making it easier to understand new words.
  • Teachers often use phonically structured activities, like rhyming games, to engage younger learners in sound recognition.

Linguistics

  • Phonically, languages differ in how they utilize sounds; some have more sounds than others, affecting pronunciation.
  • Words may change meaning based on their phonical qualities, emphasizing the importance of intonation and stress in spoken language.
  • Phonemes, the smallest units of sound, are essential in distinguishing words in many languages and can create significant differences in meaning.

Technology

  • Speech recognition technology often relies on phonical analysis to understand and process human speech effectively.
  • Voice assistants learn phonically to enhance their ability to identify and respond to various accents and pronunciations.
  • Phonically-based algorithms are used in linguistics apps to help users practice language skills through sound.

Literature

  • Authors often play with phonically similar words in poetry to create rhyme and rhythm, enriching the reading experience.
  • In children's literature, phonically focused stories help young readers strengthen their reading skills through playful sound patterns.
  • Famous works can explore phonically unique characters, focusing on speech and dialogue to develop personality and tone in storytelling.

Origin of 'phonically'

Main points about word origin

  • The term 'phonically' comes from 'phonic', which is derived from the Greek word 'phōnē', meaning 'sound' or 'voice'.
  • It started being used in English around the late 19th century as the study of speech sounds gained more recognition in education.
  • Phonically is often linked to phonetics, the science of sound in human speech.

The word 'phonically' is derived from the adjective 'phonetic', which comes from the Greek word 'phonetikos', meaning 'of speech sounds'. The suffix '-ally' is added to make it an adverb, indicating how something is done or in relation to sound. Phonics and phonetics are important fields of study related to sound and speech production.


See also: phone, phoneme, phonemic, phoner, phonetics, phoney, smartphone, telephone, telephonist.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #42,531, this word is among the least frequently used in common English. Understanding it can be beneficial for comprehensive language mastery, but it's not essential for most learners.