noun
clitic
KLIT-ik
Clitic (noun) means In linguistics, a short word-like unit that cannot stand on its own and is always joined to the word before or after it. Example: “The 's in "it's" is a clitic attached to the pronoun before it.”
noun
1
technical In linguistics, a short word-like unit that cannot stand on its own and is always joined to the word before or after it.
"The 's in "it's" is a clitic attached to the pronoun before it."
"Some languages have subject clitics that behave differently from ordinary pronouns."
"Linguists study how clitics attach to and interact with neighbouring words."
How to use clitic
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA clitic is a bit of language that acts like a word but always has to lean on another word to be spoken.
When to use it
Clitic is a specialist term used in linguistics rather than in everyday conversation.
Memory tip
Stress falls on the first syllable, so it rhymes roughly with critic.
Trace the full origin ↓
Common pairings
subject clitic
object clitic
clitic pronoun
clitic attachment
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Fill the gap
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The 's in "it's" is a _____ attached to the pronoun before it.
Etymology
Clitic comes from the Ancient Greek word klitikos, meaning inflexional.
Rhymes for clitic
See all rhymes for clitic →Frequently asked questions
What is a clitic in linguistics?
It is a small grammatical element that behaves like a word in meaning but can never stand alone, always attaching to a neighbouring word.
Is a clitic the same as an affix?
No, clitics and affixes are treated as separate, related categories, with clitics attaching more loosely than typical affixes.
What are some types of clitic?
Linguists distinguish types such as enclitics, proclitics, mesoclitics and endoclitics, depending on where the clitic attaches.
What is the meaning of clitic?
"clitic" (noun) means in linguistics, a short word-like unit that cannot stand on its own and is always joined to the word before or after it.
