Polysyllabic

Pronunciation

• RP IPA: ËŒpÉ’l.ɪ.sɪˈlæb.ɪk
• AusE IPA: ËŒpÉ”l.ɪ.sɪˈlæb.ɪk
• GenAm IPA: ËŒpÉ‘l.ɪ.sɪˈlæb.ɪk
• Rhymes: -æbɪk
• Hyphenation: po + ly + syl + la + bic

Full definition of polysyllabic

Adjective

1. (of a word) Having more than one syllable; having multiple or many syllables."Antidisestablishmentarianism" definitely qualifies as a polysyllabic word.‘Polysyllabic’ is a polysyllabic word.
2. (of spoken or written language) Characterized by or consisting of words having numerous syllables.I have a particularly off-putting predilection for the utilization of ponderously polysyllabic linguistic constructions.

Usage notes

Authoritative sources disagree concerning the precise number of syllables needed for a word to count as polysyllabic. The references cited below variously stipulate anywhere from more than one syllable to four or more. In general usage, a polysyllabic word is a word which is regarded as lengthy and polysyllabic writing or speech is often regarded as elaborate, overly lengthy, or excessively complex.

Synonyms

• (of a word) multisyllabic

Antonyms

• monosyllabic
• brachysyllabic

Related terms

• polysyllable
• polysyllabicism
• polysyllabicity
• polysyllabism

Noun

1. A word having more than one syllable