circumflex
1 synonym for circumflex, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A diacritical mark (ˆ) placed over a vowel, and in some languages a consonant, to change how it is pronounced.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
circumflex accent
How to use circumflex
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
circumflex accent
a circumflex over the e
vowel with a circumflex
add a circumflex
It is a standard term in writing, typography and language teaching.
Etymology
English borrowed the word from Latin circumflexus, meaning bent about. The Latin term was itself a calque of an Ancient Greek word meaning drawn around.
Full origin of circumflex →Frequently asked questions
What is a circumflex?
It is a diacritical mark shaped like a small caret (ˆ) that sits above a letter. It changes how the letter is pronounced.
What does circumflex mean in Latin?
The Latin source, circumflexus, means bent about.
Is a circumflex the same as a circumflex accent?
Yes, circumflex accent is another name for the same mark.
