syllabary: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Technical (Linguistics, Academic, Historical)
Quick answer
What does “syllabary” mean?
A writing system in which each character represents a spoken syllable, not a single sound (as in an alphabet) or a whole word (as in logographic systems).
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A writing system in which each character represents a spoken syllable, not a single sound (as in an alphabet) or a whole word (as in logographic systems).
The complete set of characters in such a writing system. By extension, can refer to any systematic list or collection of basic linguistic or symbolic units.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Both varieties use the term identically within linguistic and academic contexts.
Connotations
Neutral technical term. Associated with specialized study of writing systems, archaeology, and historical linguistics.
Frequency
Very low frequency in general discourse. Equally rare in both varieties, used almost exclusively in academic or highly specialized texts.
Grammar
How to Use “syllabary” in a Sentence
[The/This/An] + [ADJ] + syllabary + [VERB]Syllabary + [of/for] + [LANGUAGE/SCRIPT NAME]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “syllabary” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- The Linear B syllabary was used for Mycenaean Greek.
- Scholars debated the structure of the ancient Cypriot syllabary.
American English
- Sequoyah's Cherokee syllabary is a remarkable intellectual achievement.
- The textbook included a chart of the Japanese hiragana syllabary.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in linguistics, archaeology, history, and East Asian studies to classify and describe writing systems.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Would only be used when discussing specific historical scripts or languages like Japanese in a detailed way.
Technical
Precise term in epigraphy, palaeography, and the study of writing systems.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “syllabary”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “syllabary”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “syllabary”
- Confusing 'syllabary' with 'alphabet'.
- Using 'syllabary' to refer to a list of syllables in a textbook (that's a 'syllable chart' or 'table').
- Mispronunciation: /saɪˈleɪbəri/ (incorrect) vs. /ˈsɪləb(ə)ri/ (correct).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
An alphabet breaks speech down into individual consonants and vowels (phonemes). A syllabary breaks it down into syllables (e.g., 'ka', 'shi', 'to').
No, kana (hiragana and katakana) are syllabaries. Each kana character represents one mora, which is roughly equivalent to a syllable (e.g., か 'ka', し 'shi'). Kanji are logograms borrowed from Chinese.
Yes, Japanese uses a combination of logograms (kanji) and syllabaries (kana). The Cherokee language also uses a syllabary invented in the 19th century.
Examples include Linear B (Mycenaean Greek), the Cypriot syllabary, cuneiform scripts like Old Persian (to some extent), and the ancient Vai script of West Africa.
A writing system in which each character represents a spoken syllable, not a single sound (as in an alphabet) or a whole word (as in logographic systems).
Syllabary is usually technical (linguistics, academic, historical) in register.
Syllabary: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsɪləb(ə)ri/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsɪləˌberi/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'SILLY Barry learned his SYLLABLES using a SYLLABARY.' Links the word to its core component 'syllable'.
Conceptual Metaphor
A SYLLABARY IS A SYLLABLE INVENTORY / A SYLLABARY IS A SET OF BUILDING BLOCKS (for constructing words).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is a key characteristic of a syllabary?