Word
inflected
Phoneticsin·flect·ed, stress on the second syllable
US/ˌɪnˈfɫɛktəd/
UK/ɪnflˈɛktɪd/
Definition
adj. having word forms that change to show grammar — like adding endings for past tense or plural.
adj. having word forms that change to mark grammatical categories such as tense, number, or case. Typically contrasts with languages that rely on word order or helper words instead.
Examples
“Some languages are highly inflected and use many word endings.”
“In our grammar lesson we saw how nouns change endings because the language is highly inflected.”
“Unlike languages that rely on word order, a richly inflected system encodes tense, number, and case directly in the shape of the word itself.”
Examples
simple
“Some languages are highly inflected and use many word endings.”
contextual
“In our grammar lesson we saw how nouns change endings because the language is highly inflected.”
complex
“Unlike languages that rely on word order, a richly inflected system encodes tense, number, and case directly in the shape of the word itself.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “inflected” in context.
Verb
01. become inflected
“In the course text, stems become inflected for tense and person.”
verb + adj
02. inflected for case
“In Greek, nouns are inflected for case, gender and number.”
adj + prep + noun
03. inflected for gender
“French adjectives are inflected for gender and number.”
adj + prep + noun
Adjective
04. fully inflected
“The pronoun remains fully inflected for case in formal German.”
adv + adj
05. heavily inflected
“Russian is heavily inflected, with nouns changing for six cases.”
adv + adj
06. highly inflected
“Latin is a highly inflected language with distinct endings for case and number.”
adv + adj
Noun
07. inflected ending
“The inflected ending signals past tense and third person.”
adj + noun
08. a highly inflected language
“Sanskrit is often described as a highly inflected language.”
09. a richly inflected system
“Old Norse had a richly inflected system of nouns and verbs.”
10. analyse inflected forms in context
“Learners are asked to analyse inflected forms in context.”
11. fully inflected for case
“The pronoun system is still fully inflected for case.”
12. inflected for gender and number
“In Spanish, articles are inflected for gender and number.”
Usage
Typically placed before the noun it modifies; often modified by degree words like 'highly' or 'richly'.
Real-World Examples
“The verb bid —meaning (1) to offer , (2) to command , or (3) to invite —used to be inflected bade in the past tense and bidden as a past participle.” “Kober now knew that Linear B was an inflected language, with word endings that shifted according to use - like Latin, or German or Spanish.” Antonyms
Related words
Domains
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C2 ProficiencyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.8.5–9.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 6.0114–120
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C2 · Proficiency
- Updated
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