Morphology Meaning and Definition

Morphology

Morphology

Pronunciation

/ˈmɔrfoʊlədʒi/

Part of Speech

Noun

Definition

The study of the internal structure and arrangement of speech sounds, including phonemes, morphemes, and inflectional endings.

Examples

  • Linguists study morphology to understand how language is organized.
  • Morphology helps linguists identify and analyze the building blocks of language.

Synonyms

  • Phonology
  • Syntax

Antonyms

  • Semantics
  • Pragmatics

Etymology

The word “morphology” comes from the Greek words “morphe,” meaning form, and “logos,” meaning study or science.

Usage Notes

Morphology is often used in linguistics and language studies, but it can also be used in other fields, such as biology, to refer to the study of the structure and development of organisms.

Cultural References

Morphology has been referenced in popular culture, such as in the title of the book “The Morphology of Language” by linguist Noam Chomsky.

Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases

None

Related Words or Phrases

  • Phonology
  • Syntax
  • Semantics
  • Pragmatics

Collocations

  • Language morphology
  • Biological morphology

Frequency of Use

Morphology is a technical term used primarily in academic and professional contexts, and it is not commonly used in everyday conversation.

Common Misspellings

None

Related Words