lingual

[ ling-gwuhl ]

adjective

1. of or relating to the tongue or some tonguelike part.
2. pertaining to languages.
3. Phonetics. articulated with the aid of the tongue, especially the tip of the tongue, as d, n, s, or r.

noun

1. Phonetics. a lingual sound.

lingual

/ ˈlɪŋɡwəl /

adjective

1. anatomy of or relating to the tongue or a part or structure resembling a tongue
2. 1. of or relating to language or languages
   2. ( in combination )

      polylingual

3. articulated with the tongue

noun

1. a lingual consonant, such as Scots ( r )

Derived Forms

• ˈlingually, adverb

Other Words From

• lingual·ly adverb
• pre·lingual adjective
• pre·lingual·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of lingual¹

1350–1400; Middle English: tongue-shaped surgical instrument < Medieval Latin linguālis. See lingua, -al ¹

Example Sentences

Fiona and Ben were told by a midwife that they would be better off getting tongue-tie surgery, also known as a lingual frenotomy, privately, as there would be a long wait on the NHS.

From BBC

Some lingual landscapes don’t mint invitations.

From Washington Post

He also suggested Patient A underwent a lingual tongue-tie release, which he said would allow her to rest with her tongue on the roof of her mouth and strengthen the jaw.

From BBC

It has as coordinator Andy Kotelnicki, who has joined Leipold in Wisconsin, New York and Kansas and whose surname has four syllables to Mike Krzyzewski’s three, all the more reason for the lingual convenience “Coach K.”

From Washington Post

It seemed likely that the author was aware of the potential of those words to challenge “She sells sea shells by the sea shore” in the lingual dexterity sweepstakes.

From Washington Post

Related Words

• audiovisual
• auditory
• aural
• neural
• neurological
• olfactory
• sensual
• sonic
• tactile
• visual