Standard Lemma guide

complementizer

noun · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

noun

Meaning 1

A subordinating conjunction that can convert a clause into a complement clause, i.e. one that completes a grammatical construction in the predicate and that describes or is identified with the subject or object.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: human-sciences, linguistics, sciences

Examples

  • Near-synonym: subordinating conjunction
  • "That" is a complementizer in the sentence "Mary believes that it is raining".

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: subordinator, subordinating conjunction

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From complementize + -er.

Across languages

Translations

14 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese Mandarin: 標句詞 /标句词 (biāojùcí) — form of subordinate conjunction
  • Chinese Mandarin: 補語連詞 /补语连词 (bǔyǔ liáncí) — form of subordinate conjunction
  • Dutch: complementeerder — form of subordinate conjunction
  • French: complémenteur — form of subordinate conjunction
  • German: Komplementierer — form of subordinate conjunction
  • German: Complementizer — form of subordinate conjunction
  • Hebrew: משעבד (meshaabéd) — form of subordinate conjunction
  • Hebrew: מילת שעבוד (milát shiabúd) — form of subordinate conjunction
  • Japanese: 補文標識 (hobun-hyōshiki) — form of subordinate conjunction
  • Japanese: 補文化辞 (hobunka-ji) — form of subordinate conjunction
  • Polish: komplementator — form of subordinate conjunction
  • Spanish: complementizador — form of subordinate conjunction
  • Spanish: complementante — form of subordinate conjunction
  • Swedish: subjunktion — form of subordinate conjunction