nasalize

[ ney-zuh-lahyz ]

verb (used with object)

, na·sal·ized, na·sal·iz·ing.

1. to pronounce as a nasal sound.

verb (used without object)

, na·sal·ized, na·sal·iz·ing.

1. to pronounce normally oral sounds as nasal sounds.

nasalize

/ ˈneɪzəˌlaɪz /

verb

1. tr to pronounce nasally

Derived Forms

• ˌnasaliˈzation, noun

Other Words From

• nasal·i·zation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of nasalize¹

First recorded in 1840–50; nasal ¹ + -ize

Example Sentences

As an example, the nasalized sound that one hears at the beginning of the word gnocchi is spelled gn in Italian, n in Spanish, nh in Portuguese, and gn in French.

From The Guardian

But just as often, the vocals are squeezed, nasalized, multiplied, pitch-shifted or radically disembodied.

From New York Times

Almost the only compound consonants which survived in the Pr. stage were double letters, and in W.H. and E.H. these are usually simplified, the preceding vowel being lengthened and sometimes nasalized, in compensation.

From Project Gutenberg

In G. the nominative and oblique plural for all nouns are formed by adding ō to the oblique form singular, but in the neuter strong forms the oblique singular is nasalized.

From Project Gutenberg

Our Southern accent, with its drawling of words and slurring of consonants, our Middle-Western accent, with its stressed articulation of "r's" and its nasalizing tendencies, are instances of this persistence.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• purr
• whirr