inflect

[ in-flekt ]
/ ɪnˈflɛkt /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR inflect ON THESAURUS.COM

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.
  1. to apply inflection to (a word).
  2. 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.

QUIZZES

IS YOUR VOCABULARY AS STRONG AS A HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT? TRY THIS QUIZ TO SEE!

It may seem like fun and games but this quiz that uses vocab from popular stories will determine how much you know.
Question 1 of 10
disgruntle
to deprive of ability, qualification, or strength
to put into a state of sulky dissatisfaction
to make repayment or return for (service, benefits, etc.)
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

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

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. 2020

Words related to inflect

differ, divide, modify, diverge, range, diversify, fluctuate, alter, vent, deliver, articulate, tell, assert, say, emphasize, utter, announce, proclaim, declare, present

Example sentences from the Web for inflect

  • (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

  • Now it would have been absurd to inflect a long English lesson.

    Rites and Ritual|Philip Freeman

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