To pronounce "backformation", say BACKF-orm-at-ion — 4 syllables. Tap play below to hear it in four English accents, or practice it syllable by syllable.
backformation
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4
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13
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BACKF-orm-at-ion
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"backformation" has 4 syllables: backf-orm-at-ion.
noun
“Back-formations, such as "tambour" (for "play the tambourine"), are a staple of comedic wordplay.”
"Backformation" has 4 syllables: backf · orm · at · ion.
Backformation: 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.
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