inflection
noun
in·flec·tion
in-ˈflek-shən 
1
: change in pitch or loudness of the voice
2
a
: the change of form that words undergo to mark such distinctions as those of case, gender, number, tense, person, mood, or voice
b
: a form, suffix, or element involved in such variation
c
3
: the act or result of curving or bending : bend
4
a
: change in curvature of an arc or curve from concave to convex or conversely
b
Did you know?
Changing the pitch, tone, or loudness of our words are ways we communicate meaning in speech, though not on the printed page. A rising inflection at the end of a sentence generally indicates a question, and a falling inflection indicates a statement, for example. Another way of inflecting words is by adding endings: -s to make a noun plural, -ed to put a verb in the past tense, -er to form the comparative form of an adjective, and so on.
Synonyms
Examples of inflection in a Sentence
She spoke with no inflection.
She read the lines with an upward inflection.
Most English adjectives do not require inflection.
“Gone” and “went” are inflections of the verb “go.”
English has fewer inflections than many other languages.
Recent Examples on the Web
She’s just delivered another round of notes, asking the kids to change their inflection here, try a new line there — and most importantly, have fun while doing it.
—
Katie Campione, Deadline, 29 Oct. 2024
Available in over a dozen options—from the light periwinkle (Dream Much) seen here, with inflections of pink and silver, to metallic and opalescent white—there are a variety of pretty shades and finishes to choose from.
—Allure, 3 Aug. 2024
Other times, if Neva goes on ahead, the inflection will turn to curiosity while Alba searches for her friend.
—Jason Fanelli, Rolling Stone, 18 Oct. 2024
Payne’s inflections shined the most on ballads like these, where there was nothing but vocals and guitars.
—Thania Garcia, Variety, 17 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for inflection 
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Katie Campione, Deadline, 29 Oct. 2024
Available in over a dozen options—from the light periwinkle (Dream Much) seen here, with inflections of pink and silver, to metallic and opalescent white—there are a variety of pretty shades and finishes to choose from.
—Allure, 3 Aug. 2024
Other times, if Neva goes on ahead, the inflection will turn to curiosity while Alba searches for her friend.
—Jason Fanelli, Rolling Stone, 18 Oct. 2024
Payne’s inflections shined the most on ballads like these, where there was nothing but vocals and guitars.
—Thania Garcia, Variety, 17 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for inflection
Dictionary Entries Near inflection
Cite this Entry
“Inflection.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inflection. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
inflection
noun
in·flec·tion
in-ˈflek-shən
1
: a change in the pitch or tone of a person's voice
2
: the change in the form of a word showing its case, gender, number, person, tense, mood, voice, or comparison
inflectional
adjective
-shnəl
-shən-ᵊl
Medical Definition
inflection
noun
in·flec·tion
variants
or chiefly British inflexion
: the act or result of curving or bending
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