Polysynthetic
//ˌpɒlisɪnˈθɛtɪk// adj
adj ·Uncommon ·Advanced level
Definitions
Adjective
- 1 Characterized by a prevalence of relatively long words containing a large number of morphemes. Typically, the morphemes are bound.
""No doubt, sir," Summerlee answered. "Like all such tribes, I shall expect to find them of polysynthetic speech and of Mongolian type." "Polysynthetic certainly," said Challenger, indulgently."
- 2 Having layers of twin crystals
Adjective
- 1 forming derivative or compound words by putting together constituents each of which expresses a single definite meaning wordnet
Example
More examples"I read the research paper "The Syntax and Semantics of Modification in Inuktitut: Adjectives and Adverbs in a Polysynthetic Language.""
Etymology
From poly- + synthetic.
Related phrases
More for "polysynthetic"
Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.