Phrase guide

markedness constraint

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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  • /ˈmɑrkədnəs kənˈstɹeɪnt/

1

noun

Meaning 1

In Optimality Theory, universal features that languages prefer to keep unviolated.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: human-sciences, linguistics, phonology, sciences

Examples

  • the lack of codas is a markedness constraint that English violates, but Samoan keeps intact all the time.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From markedness + constraint.