noun

lenition

lih-NISH-un

Quiz me More like this

Lenition (noun) means In phonetics and phonology, a weakening in how a consonant is pronounced, making it softer. Example: “Lenition turns a hard stop into a softer sound between vowels.”

noun

technical In phonetics and phonology, a weakening in how a consonant is pronounced, making it softer.

"Lenition turns a hard stop into a softer sound between vowels."

"Linguists studied lenition in the Celtic languages for years."

"The change is a case of lenition, where the consonant loses some of its original force."

How to use lenition

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishLenition is when a consonant sound gets softer as a language changes it over time or in certain positions.

When to use it

This is a specialist linguistics term, rarely used outside academic writing.

Memory tip

Link it to lenient: both come from the same Latin root for soft, so lenition is literally a sound going soft.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

fortition

Common pairings

undergo lenition a case of lenition lenition of a consonant patterns of lenition

Vocabulary Flow

Build your vocabulary from words like lenition.

Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.

Start vocabulary practice

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 “lenition” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

_____ turns a hard stop into a softer sound between vowels.

Etymology

Lenition is built from lenis, meaning soft, with the ending -ition added to form a noun of action. It can also be traced to the Latin lēnītiō, meaning softening, itself from lēniō, to soften; English writers likely also had the German word Lenierung in mind when they settled on this spelling.

Origin: Latin

Antonyms

fortition

Rhymes for lenition

region ablation allusion emulsion ideation novation diffusion elocution extension oxidation perfusion selection

See all rhymes for lenition →

Frequently asked questions

What does lenition mean?

Lenition is a linguistics term for a consonant becoming softer or weaker in pronunciation, for example a hard stop turning into a smoother sound.

What is the opposite of lenition?

The opposite process, where a consonant becomes harder or stronger rather than softer, is called fortition.

Where does the word lenition come from?

It comes from the Latin word for soft, lenis, combined with a suffix that turns it into a noun describing an action or process.

What is the meaning of lenition?

"lenition" (noun) means in phonetics and phonology, a weakening in how a consonant is pronounced, making it softer.