noun

apocope

uh-POK-uh-pee

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Apocope (noun) means Apocope is the loss of one or more sounds from the end of a word, most strictly the final vowel and any consonants that follow it. Example: “The change from Old English to Modern English forms often involved apocope of final vowels.”

noun

linguistics Apocope is the loss of one or more sounds from the end of a word, most strictly the final vowel and any consonants that follow it.

"The change from Old English to Modern English forms often involved apocope of final vowels."

"Apocope can make two words that once ended differently sound alike."

"The linguist described apocope in several examples from the history of English."

How to use apocope

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA word losing a sound off its end.

When to use it

This is a specialist term from phonetics, not used in everyday conversation.

Memory tip

Keep apocope, which affects the end of a word, separate from apheresis, which affects the beginning.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

apheresis → syncope →

Common pairings

apocope of a vowel undergo apocope final apocope apocope and syncope

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Test yourself on “apocope” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The change from Old English to Modern English forms often involved _____ of final vowels.

Etymology

The word is a learned borrowing from Late Latin apocope, which came from Ancient Greek apokope. It is related to a Greek verb meaning to cut off.

Origin: Latin

Antonyms

paragoge

Rhymes for apocope

ope pope mope rope dope hope lope nope cope trope slope grope

See all rhymes for apocope →

Frequently asked questions

What does apocope mean?

It refers to the loss of a sound or sounds, especially a final vowel, from the end of a word.

Is apocope the opposite of apheresis?

No, apheresis is the loss of a sound from the beginning of a word, while apocope affects the end; its more direct opposite is paragoge.

Where is apocope used as a term?

It is used in phonetics and the study of how word forms change over time.

What is the meaning of apocope?

"apocope" (noun) means apocope is the loss of one or more sounds from the end of a word, most strictly the final vowel and any consonants that follow it.