psycholinguistics

[ sahy-koh-ling-gwis-tiks ]

noun

, (used with a singular verb)

1. the study of the relationship between language and the cognitive or behavioral characteristics of those who use it.

psycholinguistics

/ ˌsaɪkəʊlɪŋˈɡwɪstɪks /

noun

1. functioning as singular the psychology of language, including language acquisition by children, the mental processes underlying adult comprehension and production of speech, language disorders, etc

Derived Forms

• ˌpsychoˈlinguist, noun
• ˌpsycholinˈguistic, adjective

Other Words From

• psycho·linguist noun
• psycho·lin·guistic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of psycholinguistics¹

First recorded in 1935–40; psycho- + linguistics