allele: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2Technical/Scientific
Quick answer
What does “allele” mean?
One of two or more alternative forms of a gene found at the same place on a chromosome, responsible for hereditary variation.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
One of two or more alternative forms of a gene found at the same place on a chromosome, responsible for hereditary variation.
In a broader sense, any one of a series of possible variants of a gene or DNA sequence at a specific genetic locus.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or spelling. Pronunciation may differ subtly (see IPA).
Connotations
Purely technical in both regions.
Frequency
Used with identical frequency in relevant academic and scientific contexts in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “allele” in a Sentence
The [adjective] alleleAn allele for [trait]Allele [number/letter designation]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “allele” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The allelic frequency was calculated.
- An allelic series was identified.
American English
- They studied the allelic variation.
- The allelic composition differed.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used outside biotech/pharma industries.
Academic
Core terminology in genetics, biology, and related life sciences.
Everyday
Extremely rare; only in simplified explanations of heredity.
Technical
Essential and precise term in genetics, genomics, and evolutionary biology.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “allele”
- Using 'allele' to refer to the gene itself rather than a variant of it.
- Mispronouncing as /əˈlɛl/ or /ˈæliːl/.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, the standard pronunciation is /əˈliːl/, rhyming with 'a feel'.
An individual can only carry two alleles (one from each parent) for a gene at a single locus, but many different alleles can exist in a population.
A gene is the fundamental unit of heredity for a trait. An allele is a specific version or variant of that gene.
No, the correct spelling is 'allele'. 'Allel' is a common misspelling.
One of two or more alternative forms of a gene found at the same place on a chromosome, responsible for hereditary variation.
Allele is usually technical/scientific in register.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'A LL ELE'phant. An elephant can have different sized tusks (variants), just as a gene can have different alleles.
Conceptual Metaphor
A gene is a recipe; an allele is a specific variation of that recipe (e.g., with more or less salt).
Practice
Quiz
What is an allele?