dialectology

1 of 2

noun

di·​a·​lec·​tol·​o·​gy ˌdī-ə-ˌlek-ˈtä-lə-jē How to pronounce dialectology (audio)
1
: the systematic study of dialect
2
: the body of data available for study of a dialect
dialectological
ˌdī-ə-ˌlek-tə-ˈlä-ji-kəl How to pronounce dialectology (audio)
adjective
dialectologically
ˌdī-ə-ˌlek-tə-ˈlä-ji-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce dialectology (audio)
adverb

dialectological

2 of 2

adjective

di·​a·​lec·​to·​log·​i·​cal ¦dīəˌlektə¦läjə̇kəl How to pronounce dialectological (audio)
: of or belonging to dialectology
dialectologically
-jə̇k(ə)lē How to pronounce dialectological (audio)
adverb

Word History

Etymology

Noun

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

Noun

1820, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1850, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of dialectology was in 1820

Rhymes for dialectology

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Browse Nearby Words

dialectologist
dialectology
dialer
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Cite this Entry

“Dialectology.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dialectology. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on dialectology

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about dialectology

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