inflect

[ in-flekt ]

/ ɪnˈflɛkt /

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Definition of inflect

verb (used with object)

to alter, adapt, or modulate (the voice).

to alter or adapt in tone or character: the power of storytelling inflected through a feminist sensibility; jazz-inflected music.

Grammar.

to apply inflection to (a word).
to recite or display all or a distinct set of the inflections of (a word); decline or conjugate.

to bend; turn from a direct line or course.

Botany. to bend in.

verb (used without object)

Grammar. to be characterized by inflection.

QUIZ

QUIZ YOURSELF ON "WAS" VS. "WERE"!

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Question 1 of 7

“Was” is used for the indicative past tense of “to be,” and “were” is only used for the subjunctive past tense.

true

false

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Origin of inflect

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English inflecten, from Latin inflectere “to bend in,” equivalent to in-in-² + flectere “to bend, curve”; cf. flex¹

OTHER WORDS FROM inflect

in·flect·ed·ness, nounin·flec·tive, adjectivein·flec·tor, nounnon·in·flect·ed, adjective

un·in·flect·ed, adjectiveun·in·flec·tive, adjective

Words nearby inflect

inflationary spiral, inflationary universe, inflationism, inflationist, inflation theory, inflect, inflection, inflectional, inflection point, inflexed, inflexible

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use inflect in a sentence

Your cultureSo many key maternal variables — a spouse’s role, the distance to the nearest grandparent — are socially inflected.
What makes one mom different from another|Abigail Tucker|June 4, 2021|Washington Post
The Aces’ locker room, full again, rings with Cambage’s Aussie-inflected jokes and preemptive boasts.
A’ja Wilson had a rebirth, Liz Cambage is healthy, and Las Vegas is among the WNBA favorites|Robert O'Connell|May 13, 2021|Washington Post
Now it would have been absurd to inflect a long English lesson.
Rites and Ritual|Philip Freeman
(e) To memorize words and to learn to inflect them, before memorizing and learning how to construct sentences.
The Principles of Language-Study|Harold E. Palmer

And we yet retain an objective case of the pronoun, and inflect it for person, number and gender.
The American Language|Henry L. Mencken
Can you so inflect "sprawling in want" and "sitting high" as to suggest a swamp and a mountain-top, or a frog and an angel?
Vocal Expression|Katherine Jewell Everts
Query to the class: How did the lady inflect the word Yes to call forth the injunction, Read it again?
Vocal Expression|Katherine Jewell Everts

British Dictionary definitions for inflect

inflect

/ (ɪnˈflɛkt) /

verb

(grammar) to change (the form of a word) or (of a word) to change in form by inflection

(tr) to change (the voice) in tone or pitch; modulate

(tr) to cause to deviate from a straight or normal line or course; bend

Derived forms of inflect

inflectedness, nouninflective, adjectiveinflector, noun

Word Origin for inflect

C15: from Latin inflectere to curve round, alter, from flectere to bend

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

inflect

Definition of inflect

Origin of inflect

OTHER WORDS FROM inflect

Words nearby inflect

Words related to inflect

How to use inflect in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for inflect

Derived forms of inflect

Word Origin for inflect