Phrase guide

optimality theory

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 linguistic model proposing that the observed forms of language arise from the interaction between conflicting constraints.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: uncountable

Topics: human-sciences, linguistics, sciences

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

6 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese Mandarin: 優選理論 /优选理论 (yōuxuǎn lǐlùn) — linguistic model
  • Chinese Mandarin: 優選論 /优选论 (yōuxuǎnlùn) — linguistic model
  • Finnish: optimaalisuusteoria — linguistic model
  • French: théorie de l'optimalité — linguistic model
  • Spanish: teoría de la optimidad — linguistic model
  • Spanish: teoría de la optimalidad — linguistic model