Dictionary
minimal pair
noun
Definition of MINIMAL PAIR
: two linguistic units that differ in a single distinctive feature or constituent (as voice in the initial consonants of bat and pat)
ADVERTISEMENT
First Known Use of MINIMAL PAIR
1942
Rhymes with MINIMAL PAIR
breath of fresh air, butterfly chair, chargé d'affaires, chemin de fer, commissionaire, concessionaire, couturiere, devil-may-care, director's chair, electric chair, enamelware, intensive care, lighter-than-air, memoriter, out of one's hair, Parian ware, pied-à-terre, primary care, ready-to-wear, social welfare, son et lumière, spectacled bear, surface-to-air, up in the air, vanity fair, vogue la galère
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: mini–martPrevious Word in the Dictionary: minimalist All Words Near: minimal pair
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up minimal pair? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).