Reduplicative meaning

The term reduplicative refers to the repetition of a word or part of a word to create a new term with a specific meaning.


Reduplicative definitions

Word backwards evitacilpuder
Part of speech Adjective
Syllabic division re-du-pli-ca-tive
Plural The plural form of the word "reduplicative" is "reduplicatives."
Total letters 13
Vogais (4) e,u,i,a
Consonants (7) r,d,p,l,c,t,v

Reduplication is a linguistic phenomenon where all or part of a word is repeated either completely or with a slight change in form. This process can occur in various languages around the world and serves different linguistic functions depending on the language and context.

Types of Reduplication

There are two main types of reduplication: full reduplication and partial reduplication. Full reduplication involves the entire word being repeated, while partial reduplication only repeats part of the word. Reduplication can also be classified based on the changes made to the repeated segments, such as ablaut reduplication where vowel changes occur.

Functions of Reduplication

Reduplication can serve a variety of functions in languages. It can indicate plurality, intensify the meaning of a word, create new lexical items, denote repetitive actions, or mark aspects such as habitual or continuous actions. In some languages, reduplication is also used for stylistic purposes or to convey emotion.

Examples of Reduplication

Examples of reduplication can be found in languages such as English, where reduplicative words like "boo-boo" and "bye-bye" are used to refer to a minor injury or to say goodbye. In Indonesian, reduplication is commonly used for pluralization, such as "rumah" (house) becoming "rumah-rumah" (houses) when reduplicated.

Reduplication plays a crucial role in the morphology and syntax of many languages, providing a rich source of linguistic diversity and creativity. Linguists study reduplication to better understand the structures and processes of language formation.

Overall, reduplication is a fascinating linguistic phenomenon that adds depth and complexity to the way we communicate. Its versatility and expressive power make it a valuable area of study in the field of linguistics.


Reduplicative Examples

  1. The baby said "mama" as her first reduplicative word.
  2. The song's catchy chorus had a reduplicative effect on the audience.
  3. He made a wish upon a falling star, repeating a reduplicative phrase three times.
  4. The comedian's reduplicative jokes had the crowd laughing non-stop.
  5. The children played a reduplicative clapping game in the playground.
  6. The recipe called for a reduplicative mixing of the ingredients.
  7. The movie's title had a reduplicative pattern that caught people's attention.
  8. She sang a reduplicative song that stuck in everyone's head for days.
  9. The author used a reduplicative style of writing to emphasize certain points.
  10. His reduplicative habit of tapping his foot annoyed his colleagues.


Most accessed

Search the alphabet

  • #
  • Aa
  • Bb
  • Cc
  • Dd
  • Ee
  • Ff
  • Gg
  • Hh
  • Ii
  • Jj
  • Kk
  • Ll
  • Mm
  • Nn
  • Oo
  • Pp
  • Qq
  • Rr
  • Ss
  • Tt
  • Uu
  • Vv
  • Ww
  • Xx
  • Yy
  • Zz
  • Updated 08/04/2024 - 07:30:37