adjective C2 Proficient

polysyllabic

pol-ee-sih-LAB-ik

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Polysyllabic (adjective) means a polysyllabic word has more than one syllable. Example: “Elephant is a polysyllabic word, unlike the single-syllable cat.”

adjective

A polysyllabic word has more than one syllable.

"Elephant is a polysyllabic word, unlike the single-syllable cat."

"The report was full of polysyllabic jargon that few readers understood."

"Children often stumble over long, polysyllabic names at first."

How to use polysyllabic

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishPolysyllabic just means a word has several syllables rather than one.

When to use it

It is a fairly formal, slightly technical word, more common in writing about language than in everyday speech.

Memory tip

Break the word itself into syllables, po-ly-syl-lab-ic, and you are demonstrating the very thing it describes.

Trace the full origin ↓

Common pairings

a polysyllabic word polysyllabic language polysyllabic jargon polysyllabic terms

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

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

Elephant is a _____ word, unlike the single-syllable cat.

Etymology

Polysyllabic combines the prefix poly-, meaning many, with syllabic, meaning made up of syllables. Together they describe something built from more than one syllable.

Origin: English

Synonyms

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multisyllabic sesquipedalian

Antonyms

monosyllabic

Related words

monosyllabic talkative

Rhymes for polysyllabic

Arabic

See all rhymes for polysyllabic →

Frequently asked questions

What does polysyllabic mean?

It describes a word, or language full of such words, that has more than one syllable.

Is polysyllabic the same as multisyllabic?

Yes, the two words are used interchangeably to describe words with several syllables.

What is the opposite of polysyllabic?

Monosyllabic, meaning made up of just one syllable, is the usual opposite.

What is the meaning of polysyllabic?

"polysyllabic" (adjective) means a polysyllabic word has more than one syllable.

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