word-formation
Creating new vocabulary
Word-formation refers to the processes by which new words are created in a language, including compounding, derivation, blending, and clipping.
Linguists study word-formation to understand how speakers generate and understand novel vocabulary.
The term also describes the structure of a particular word—how its parts fit together: The word-formation of "unhappiness" involves a prefix, root, and suffix.
Source or origin tracing
- compoundingElements merging progressively
- affixationBinding morphemes to stems
- blendingCombining into uniformity
- clippingPiece cut out
conversion · reduplication · portmanteau · acronym · initialism · coinage · borrowing · calque
Smallest meaningful language unit
- rootUnderground absorbing structure
- stemPlant's central axis
- baseSupporting bottom structure
- prefixRoot-modifying front element
suffix · infix · affix · transfix · lexeme · etymon · radical
Word origin study
- proto-languageReconstructed common ancestor tongue
- loanwordImported vocabulary item
- cognateWord sharing etymological origin
- reconstructionRebuilding after destruction
derivation
Source or origin tracing
- compoundingElements merging progressively
- affixationBinding morphemes to stems
- blendingCombining into uniformity
clipping · conversion · reduplication · portmanteau · acronym · initialism · coinage · borrowing · calque · neologism
morpheme
Smallest meaningful language unit
prefix · suffix · infix · affix · transfix · lexeme · etymon · radical
etymology
Word origin study
- proto-languageReconstructed common ancestor tongue
- loanwordImported vocabulary item
- cognateWord sharing etymological origin
word-formationsyntax
Rules for arranging words
phonology · sentence structure · semantics · sound systems · pragmatics
form, word, inform, reform, formation, transform, misinformation, informant, formative