nonsense syllable

noun Psychology.

any of numerous letter combinations without meaning, used in learning experiments.

QUIZZES

CAN YOU FEEL THE WEAL WITH THIS WORD OF THE DAY QUIZ?

Did you collect all of last week’s words, but eftsoons forget what they mean? Don’t worry, we’re here to jog your memory. See how many words from the week of May 18 to 24 you can get right!
Question 1 of 7
weal
well-being, prosperity, or happiness.
the intervening time.
a somewhat prolonged, sharp, shrill cry, as of pain, fear, or surprise.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of nonsense syllable

First recorded in 1885–90

Words nearby nonsense syllable

nonselective, nonself, nonself-antigen, nonsense, nonsense correlation, nonsense syllable, nonsense triplet, nonsense verse, nonsensical, nonsexist, nonsexual
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

British Dictionary definitions for nonsense syllable

nonsense syllable

noun

psychol a syllable, like bik, having no meaning. Lists of such syllables have been used to investigate memory and learning
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