Laryngeal

//ləˈɹɪn.d͡ʒi.əl// adj, noun

adj, noun ·Moderate ·College level

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    An anatomical part (such as a nerve or artery) that supplies or is associated with the larynx.
  2. 2
    A sound uttered by using the larynx.
  3. 3
    In Proto-Indo-European, one of the typically three reconstructed consonants usually marked as ⟨h₁⟩, ⟨h₂⟩ and ⟨h₃⟩.

    "The vowel-coloring effects of the IH laryngeals cannot be considered apart from the vowel-reducing effect of the IH stress accent[…]"

Adjective
  1. 1
    Of or pertaining to the larynx. not-comparable, relational

    "At sight of it there commenced a series of laryngeal spasms, with clutchings at his throat, far more violent than any I had heretofore seen."

  2. 2
    (of a speech sound) Made by or with constriction of the larynx with only the front part of the vocal cords vibrating, giving a very low frequency and producing what is known as "creaky voice." not-comparable, relational
Adjective
  1. 1
    of or relating to or situated in the larynx wordnet

Synonyms

All synonyms
articulationaspirationassimilationbilabialcheckconsonant

Example

More examples

"After Tom came to learn that he was suffering from laryngeal cancer, his vocal cords were removed, and he now breathes through a hole in his throat."

Etymology

Derived from New Latin laryngeus + -al, from larynx (“larynx”) + -eus (adjectival suffix). By surface analysis, laryng- + -al or -ial.

Related phrases

laryngeal arterylaryngeal nervelaryngeal pouchlaryngeal prominencelaryngeal saclaryngeal sacculeproto indo european

More for "laryngeal"

SynonymsSentencesPronunciationTranslate

Next best steps

Find stronger synonymsSee usage examplesCheck pronunciationBrowse writing guides

Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.