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Synonyms

glottal

American  
[glot-l] / ˈglɒt l /

adjective

  1. of or relating to the glottis.

  2. Phonetics. articulated at the glottis.


noun

  1. glottal stop.

glottal British  
/ ˈɡlɒtəl /

adjective

  1. of or relating to the glottis

  2. phonetics articulated or pronounced at or with the glottis

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • subglottal adjective
  • subglottally adverb
  • superglottal adjective
  • superglottally adverb

Etymology

Origin of glottal

First recorded in 1840–50; glott(is) + -al 1

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

It can elegantly vault octaves, scoop notes without a croaky glottal fry and crack words into multi-note, velvety yodels.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 18, 2025

With the metal in colliding knives, the foley work of sand beneath a boot and the glottal roaring of a sandworm, I am reduced to a slack, muttering, awe-struck child.

From Salon • Feb. 28, 2025

The researchers measured the opening between vocal folds—known as the glottal gap—as they opened, closed, and vibrated while the women spoke at different pitches.

From Science Magazine • Dec. 17, 2023

It’s actually a glottal sound, meaning it emanates from the glottis, in the back of the throat — a muscle English speakers don’t get to exercise much.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 21, 2022

In Maya, the glottal stop is indicated by an apostrophe, as in Ich'aak.

From "1491" by Charles C. Mann