inflection

/ɪnˈflɛkʃən/
noun
  1. A change in the form of a word to show its grammatical function, such as tense, number, or case.
    • Students of Latin must memorize many different inflections for nouns and verbs.
    • Adding '-s' to make a noun plural is a common inflection.
    • The inflection of English verbs is simpler than in many other languages.
  2. A change in the pitch or tone of the voice when speaking.
    • Her inflection made it clear she was being sarcastic.
    • Raising your voice at the end of a sentence is a rising inflection, often used for questions.
    • Good public speakers use inflection to keep their audience engaged.
  3. A curve or bend in a line or surface.
    • On the graph, the inflection point shows where the trend changes direction.
    • The spine has a natural inflection that allows for flexibility.
    • The road has a sharp inflection just past the bridge.
What does "inflection" mean? | whatsthatwordmean | whatsthatwordmean