How Do You Spell METATHESIZE?

Pronunciation: [mˌɛtəθəsˈa͡ɪz] (IPA)

Metathesize is spelled with the combination of the morphemes "meta" and "thesize". The phonetic transcription of this word is /mɛtəˈθaɪz/. The word metathesize means to interchange or transpose phonemes in a word. This phenomenon often occurs naturally in certain languages, leading to variations in the way words are pronounced. Although metathesize is not a commonly used word, it can be useful when examining examples of linguistic variation and change.

Meaning and Definition
Etymology
Conjugate verb
Basic Check Advanced Check

METATHESIZE Meaning and Definition

  1. Metathesize is a verb that refers to the process of changing the order or position of sounds or letters within a word. This phonological phenomenon can occur naturally in language evolution, or it can be intentionally employed for purposes of linguistic creativity or efficiency. When metathesize occurs, two sounds or letters swap positions, resulting in the formation of a new word or a different pronunciation of an existing word.

    The concept of metathesize can be observed in various languages and can involve different types of sound changes. The most common type is consonant metathesis, where two adjacent consonants trade places. For example, in the English word "ask," it has been suggested that the original form was "aks," with the sounds /s/ and /k/ metathesizing. Another example is the word "comfortable," which is often pronounced as "comfterble" in casual speech.

    Metathesize can also involve vowel movement, known as vowel metathesis. This occurs when vowels interchange their positions within a word. One example is the word "cavalry," which is commonly mispronounced as "calvary." Similarly, "library" can be pronounced as "lie-berry" due to vowel metathesis.

    Overall, metathesize is a linguistic term that describes the process of swapping the order or position of sounds or letters within a word. It is a natural phenomenon observed in languages over time and can lead to the formation of new words or alternate pronunciations.

Etymology of METATHESIZE

The word "metathesize" is derived from the Greek root "meta-" meaning "change" or "transformation", and the Greek word "tithenai" meaning "to put or place". The suffix "-ize" is added to indicate the action of transforming or changing. Therefore, "metathesize" specifically refers to the process of rearranging or swapping the positions of sounds or letters within a word or between words.

Conjugate verb Metathesize

CONDITIONAL

I would metathesize
you would metathesize
he/she/it would metathesize
we would metathesize
they would metathesize

CONDITIONAL CONTINUOUS

I would be metathesizing
you would be metathesizing
he/she/it would be metathesizing
we would be metathesizing
they would be metathesizing

CONDITIONAL PERFECT

I would have metathesize
you would have metathesize
he/she/it would have metathesize
we would have metathesize
they would have metathesize

CONDITIONAL PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I would have been metathesizing
you would have been metathesizing
he/she/it would have been metathesizing
we would have been metathesizing
they would have been metathesizing

FUTURE

I will metathesize
you will metathesize
he/she/it will metathesize
we will metathesize
they will metathesize

FUTURE CONTINUOUS

I will be metathesizing
you will be metathesizing
he/she/it will be metathesizing
we will be metathesizing
they will be metathesizing

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have metathesized
you will have metathesized
he/she/it will have metathesized
we will have metathesized
they will have metathesized

FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I will have been metathesizing
you will have been metathesizing
he/she/it will have been metathesizing
we will have been metathesizing
they will have been metathesizing

IMPERATIVE

you metathesize
we let´s metathesize

NONFINITE VERB FORMS

to metathesize

PAST

I metathesized
you metathesized
he/she/it metathesized
we metathesized
they metathesized

PAST CONTINUOUS

I was metathesizing
you were metathesizing
he/she/it was metathesizing
we were metathesizing
they were metathesizing

PAST PARTICIPLE

metathesized

PAST PERFECT

I had metathesized
you had metathesized
he/she/it had metathesized
we had metathesized
they had metathesized

PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I had been metathesizing
you had been metathesizing
he/she/it had been metathesizing
we had been metathesizing
they had been metathesizing

PRESENT

I metathesize
you metathesize
he/she/it metathesizes
we metathesize
they metathesize

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

I am metathesizing
you are metathesizing
he/she/it is metathesizing
we are metathesizing
they are metathesizing

PRESENT PARTICIPLE

metathesizing

PRESENT PERFECT

I have metathesized
you have metathesized
he/she/it has metathesized
we have metathesized
they have metathesized

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I have been metathesizing
you have been metathesizing
he/she/it has been metathesizing
we have been metathesizing
they have been metathesizing