denoting any perceptible distinction between one speech sound and another, irrespective of whether the sounds are phonemes or allophones
Compare phonemic (sense 2)
3.
conforming to pronunciation
phonetic spelling
Derived forms
phonetically (phoˈnetically)
adverb
Word origin
C19: from New Latin phōnēticus, from Greek phōnētikos, from phōnein to make sounds, speak
phonetic in American English
(foʊˈnɛtɪk; fəˈnɛtɪk)
adjective
1.
of speech sounds or the production or transcription of these
2.
of phonetics
3.
conforming to pronunciation
phonetic spelling
4.
of or involving the relatively small differences between related speech sounds, which can be perceived but do not change meaning
the differences between the sounds represented by p in “tip” and “pit” are phonetic, since substituting one for the other would not change the meanings of the two words
Derived forms
phonetically (phoˈnetically)
adverb
Word origin
ModL phoneticus < Gr phōnētikos < phōnētos, to be spoken < phōnein, to speak < phōnē, a sound: see phono-
Examples of 'phonetic' in a sentence
phonetic
After some thought, she opted for a phonetic spelling, although she was not even sure if her pronunciation was correct.
Penman, Sharon HERE BE DRAGONS (2004)
`Oh yes,' Wesley nodded, `yes, the phonetic link's very explicit.
Nicola Barker BEHINDLINGS (2004)
The phonetic graffiti on my car is probably intended to humiliate me.