prefix · 2 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
Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.
Received-Pronunciation:/ɡlɒs.ə(ʊ)/
General-American:/ɡlɑs.oʊ/
General-American:/ɡlɔs.oʊ/
1
prefix
Meaning 1
Of or pertaining to the tongue.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: morpheme
Topics: anatomy, medicine, sciences
Examples
glossopharyngeal
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
prefix
Meaning 2
Of or pertaining to language or speech.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: morpheme
Topics: human-sciences, linguistics, sciences
Examples
glossolalia
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
History
Etymology
Etymology tree Proto-Hellenic *glṓťťā Ancient Greek γλῶσσᾰ (glôssă) Ancient Greek -ο- (-o-)der. Latin -o-bor. English -o- English glosso- From Ancient Greek γλῶσσᾰ (glôssă, “tongue; language”) + English -o-.
Across languages
Translations
1 source translations are retained for this English entry.