# ablaut

CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/ablaut
Updated: 2026-05-18

## Definition

a pattern of vowel sounds in a word that shows how it changes to mean something different. It is a way to show the past tense or a different form of a verb.

For teachers: a pattern of vowel alternation within a word or across a set of related words, used to indicate grammatical distinctions such as tense or aspect. Often refers to the internal vowel shift in Germanic languages.

## Examples

- The word 'sing' and 'sang' show a clear example of ablaut.
- Linguists study ablaut to understand how ancient languages evolved and how different forms of a verb are connected.
- In Proto-Indo-European, ablaut served as a primary means of inflection, allowing speakers to indicate the duration or intensity of an action through subtle shifts in the root vowel.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.