Speakur

Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

back-formation

/ˌbæk.foɹˈmeɪ̯.ʃən/

Word Rarity Uncommon

Frequency: 4.48 in modern English

Syllables
back-for-ma-tion
IPA
/ˌbæk.foɹˈmeɪ̯.ʃən/
26
Scrabble Score
13
Letters
3
Syllables
11
Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

The process by which a new word is formed from an older word by interpreting the former as a derivative of the latter, often by removing a morpheme (real or perceived) from the older word, such as the verb burgle, formed by removing -ar (perceived as an agent-noun suffix) from burglar.

Uncountable

noun

A word created in this way.

Countable

Example Sentences

Etymology

From back- + formation. Coined by British lexicographer and philologist, primary editor of the Oxford English Dictionary James Murray in 1888.

Regional Pronunciation

  • American English: /ˌbæk.foɹˈmeɪ̯.ʃən/
  • British English: /ˌbæk.fɔːˈmeɪ̯.ʃən/

Usage

Inflected Forms

back-formations (plural) backformation (alternative) back formation (alternative)

Phrases

back-form back-formed

Frequently Paired Words

disfixation

Synonyms

back-form

Rhymes With

information education situation population station association administration operation organization head station nation location

Questions

How do you pronounce back-formation?
The recorded pronunciation is /ˌbæk.foɹˈmeɪ̯.ʃən/.
What does back-formation mean?
The process by which a new word is formed from an older word by interpreting the former as a derivative of the latter, often by removing a morpheme (real or perceived) from the older word, such as the verb burgle, formed by removing -ar (perceived as an agent-noun suffix) from burglar.
Where does back-formation come from?
From back- + formation. Coined by British lexicographer and philologist, primary editor of the Oxford English Dictionary James Murray in 1888.

How to pronounce back-formation

  1. Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “back-formation”.
  2. Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˌbæk.foɹˈmeɪ̯.ʃən/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
  3. Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “back-formation”.
  4. Repeat and practice — Say “back-formation” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.