glottis: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowTechnical/Scientific
Quick answer
What does “glottis” mean?
The opening between the vocal cords in the larynx.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The opening between the vocal cords in the larynx.
In phonetics, the glottis is the part of the larynx consisting of the vocal folds and the slit-like opening between them, crucial for voice production and certain speech sounds (like the glottal stop).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. The term is standard in medical and linguistic contexts in both varieties.
Connotations
Neutral technical term in both regions.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in specialized contexts in both BrE and AmE.
Grammar
How to Use “glottis” in a Sentence
The glottis + verb (opens/closes/vibrates)Adjective + glottis (narrow/wide/constricted glottis)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “glottis” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The glottal stop is produced by a rapid glottis closure.
- They studied the glottis mechanism in detail.
American English
- The glottal fricative involves a narrowed glottis.
- He described the glottis function during singing.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in medical, anatomical, linguistic, and voice science publications.
Everyday
Extremely rare outside specific professional or educational discussions.
Technical
Core term in otolaryngology, phonetics, speech pathology, and singing pedagogy.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “glottis”
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “glottis”
- Mispronouncing as /ˈɡlɑː.tɪs/ (hard 't') in AmE instead of the flapped /t̬/.
- Using it as a general term for 'throat'.
- Confusing 'glottis' (the space) with 'vocal cords' (the folds).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. The vocal cords (or vocal folds) are the tissues that vibrate. The glottis is the opening *between* them.
Not directly, but you can feel its action. Try holding your breath tightly or making a sharp 'uh-oh' sound; you are closing your glottis.
A speech sound made by quickly closing and then opening the glottis, like the catch in the middle of 'uh-oh' or in some pronunciations of 'button' (bu'on).
No, it is a specialised anatomical/linguistic term. The average person will rarely encounter or use it in daily conversation.
The opening between the vocal cords in the larynx.
Glottis is usually technical/scientific in register.
Glottis: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɡlɒt.ɪs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɡlɑː.t̬ɪs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'glottis' as the 'gate' (from Greek 'glōtta' for tongue, but think 'gate' for memory) in your throat that lets sound out.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE GLOTTIS IS A VALVE/GATE (it opens, closes, and regulates airflow).
Practice
Quiz
In which field is the term 'glottis' MOST commonly used?