Word forms: plural inflectionsregional note: in BRIT, also use inflexion
1. variable noun
An inflection in someone's voice is a change in its tone or pitch as they are speaking.
[written]
The man's voice was devoid of inflection.
'Seb?' he said, with a rising inflection.
Synonyms: intonation, stress, emphasis, beat More Synonyms of inflection
2. variable noun
In grammar, an inflection is a change in the form of a word that shows its grammatical function, for example a change that makes a noun plural or makes a verb into the past tense.
More Synonyms of inflection
English Easy Learning GrammarWord order in sentencesThe order of words in an English sentence is very important. A change in word orderoften results in a change of meaning. Many other languages use inflection, ... Read more
inflection in British English
or inflexion (ɪnˈflɛkʃən)
noun
1.
modulation of the voice
2. (grammar)
a change in the form of a word, usually modification or affixation, signalling change in such grammatical functions as tense, voice, mood, person, gender, number, or case
3.
an angle or bend
4.
the act of inflecting or the state of being inflected
5. mathematics
a change in curvature from concave to convex or vice versa
See also point of inflection
Derived forms
inflectional (inˈflectional) or inflexional (inˈflexional)
adjective
inflectionally (inˈflectionally) or inflexionally (inˈflexionally)
adverb
inflectionless (inˈflectionless) or inflexionless (inˈflexionless)
adjective
inflection in American English
(ɪnˈflɛkʃən)
noun
1.
a turning, bending, or curving
2.
a turn, bend, or curve
3.
any change in tone or pitch of the voice; modulation
to signal a question by a rising inflection
4.
a change of a curve or arc from convex to concave or the reverse
5. Grammar
a.
the change of form by which some words indicate certain grammatical relationships, as number, case, gender, or tense
b.
an inflected form
c.
an inflectional element, as those bound forms used in English to form the plural and possessive case of nouns (ships, ship's) and the past tense and third person singular, present indicative, of verbs (he shipped, he ships)
Word origin
L inflexio < inflexus, pp. of inflectere: see inflect
Examples of 'inflection' in a sentence
inflection
Behind all the soul-searching lay a deep anxiety that the world is at an inflection point.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
It is like sending a text but with the benefits of inflection and tone that voice offers.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
The technical term for a change of grammatical case is inflection.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
In other languages inflection for case is more common.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
It has hit an inflection point.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Now we're coming to an inflection point.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
A political inflection point needs more content than cadence.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Though there is a hard road ahead, it is likely that we will look back on this moment as an historical inflection point.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Sir, We are at an inflection point.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
In other languages
inflection
British English: inflection NOUN
An inflection in someone's voice is a change in its tone or pitch as they are speaking.
The man's voice was devoid of inflection.
American English: inflection
Brazilian Portuguese: entonação
Chinese: 变音调
European Spanish: inflexión
French: inflexion
German: Tonfall
Italian: inflessione
Japanese: 音調の変化
Korean: 억양
European Portuguese: entonação
Latin American Spanish: inflexión
1 (noun)
Definition
change in the pitch of the voice
His voice was devoid of inflection.
Synonyms
intonation
His voice had a very slight German intonation.
stress
the misplaced stress on the first syllable
emphasis
The emphasis is on the first syllable of the word.
beat
measure
rhythm
the rhythm and rhyme inherent in nursery rhymes
cadence
He recognised the Polish cadences in her voice.
modulation
accentuation
2 (noun)
Definition
a change in the form of a word, signalling change in such grammatical functions as tense or number
At around 2 years, the child adds many grammatical inflections.
Synonyms
conjugation
declension
3 (noun)
Definition
an angle or bend
Synonyms
bend
The crash occurred on a sharp bend.
angle
brackets to adjust the steering wheel's angle
bow
arch
Train the cane supports to form an arch.
crook
She hid her face in the crook of her arm.
arc
The 71 offices are spread out in an arc around London.
curvature
He had a curvature of the spine.
Additional synonyms
in the sense of angle
Definition
a recess or corner
brackets to adjust the steering wheel's angle
Synonyms
intersection,
point,
edge,
corner,
knee,
bend,
elbow,
crook,
crotch,
nook,
cusp
in the sense of arc
Definition
something curved in shape
The 71 offices are spread out in an arc around London.