Umlaut
noun
A mark ( ̈) used over a vowel in German or Hungarian to indicate a change in the sound of the vowel.
The word 'Zoögloea' has an umlaut over the 'o'.
Often appears as...
- double umlaut
- umlaut modification
noun
The process or result of a change in the sound of a vowel, influenced by the vowel in the next syllable.
The umlaut can alter the meaning of a word in Germanic languages.
Often appears as...
- vowel umlaut
- i-umlaut
Usage tips
Academic
noun
A mark ( ̈) used over a vowel in German or Hungarian to indicate a change in the sound of the vowel.
The word 'Zoögloea' has an umlaut over the 'o'.
Often appears as...
- double umlaut
- umlaut modification
noun
The process or result of a change in the sound of a vowel, influenced by the vowel in the next syllable.
The umlaut can alter the meaning of a word in Germanic languages.
Often appears as...
- vowel umlaut
- i-umlaut
Usage tips
Academic
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Pronunciation Change
In German, umlauts indicate a vowel sound is pronounced differently than its non-umlaut form.
The 'ä' in 'Männer' (men) sounds different than 'a' in 'Mann' (man).
Pro Tip 2/3Visual Recognition
Recognizing umlauts helps differentiate words that would otherwise look alike.
'Fuß' (foot) versus 'Fuβ' (a Greek letter beta, often mistaken by learners).
Pro Tip 3/3Not Decorative
An umlaut is not just decorative; it signals important changes in meaning.
'Schon' (already) is different from 'schön' (beautiful).
Pro Tip 1/3Pronunciation Change
In German, umlauts indicate a vowel sound is pronounced differently than its non-umlaut form.
The 'ä' in 'Männer' (men) sounds different than 'a' in 'Mann' (man).
Pro Tip 2/3Visual Recognition
Recognizing umlauts helps differentiate words that would otherwise look alike.
'Fuß' (foot) versus 'Fuβ' (a Greek letter beta, often mistaken by learners).
Pro Tip 3/3Not Decorative
An umlaut is not just decorative; it signals important changes in meaning.
'Schon' (already) is different from 'schön' (beautiful).
Pro Tip 1/3Pronunciation Change
In German, umlauts indicate a vowel sound is pronounced differently than its non-umlaut form.
The 'ä' in 'Männer' (men) sounds different than 'a' in 'Mann' (man).
Pro Tip 2/3Visual Recognition
Recognizing umlauts helps differentiate words that would otherwise look alike.
'Fuß' (foot) versus 'Fuβ' (a Greek letter beta, often mistaken by learners).
Pro Tip 3/3Not Decorative
An umlaut is not just decorative; it signals important changes in meaning.
'Schon' (already) is different from 'schön' (beautiful).
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Quote examples
Chloe Sevigny
American Actress
The umlaut isn't on my birth certificate. I had this book as a child called Chloe and Maude, and there was an umlaut on the e, and I said, I want that! It's a little flair. Just to confuse people even more.
Quote examples
Chloe Sevigny
American Actress
The umlaut isn't on my birth certificate. I had this book as a child called Chloe and Maude, and there was an umlaut on the e, and I said, I want that! It's a little flair. Just to confuse people even more.
Example 1 of 1
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