labialize

[ ley-bee-uh-lahyz ]

verb (used with object)

, Phonetics.

, la·bi·al·ized, la·bi·al·iz·ing.

1. to give a labial character to (a sound), for example, to round (a vowel).

labialize

/ ˈleɪbɪəˌlaɪz /

verb

1. phonetics to pronounce with articulation involving rounded lips, such as for ( k ) before a close back vowel ( uː ) as in English cool

Derived Forms

• ˈlabialˌism, noun

Other Words From

• labi·al·i·zation noun
• un·labi·al·ize verb (used with object) unlabialized unlabializing

Word History and Origins

Origin of labialize¹

First recorded in 1865–70; labial + -ize