language note: The form phonetic is used as a modifier.
1. uncountable noun
In linguistics, phonetics is the study of speech sounds.
2. adjective [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
Phonetic means relating to the sound of a word or to the sounds that are used in languages.
...the Japanese phonetic system, with its relatively few, simple sounds.
I thought a phonetic spelling might aid in pronunciation.
phonetically (fənetɪkli)adverb [ADVERB with verb]
It's wonderful to watch her now going through things phonetically learning how tospell things.
phonetics in British English
(fəˈnɛtɪks)
noun
(functioning as singular)
the science concerned with the study of speech processes, including the production, perception, and analysis of speech sounds from both an acoustic and a physiological point of view. This science, though capable of being applied to language studies, technically excludes linguistic considerations
Compare phonology
phonetics in American English
(foʊˈnɛtɪks; fəˈnɛtɪks)
noun
1.
the study of speech sounds, their production and combination, and their representation by written symbols
2.
the description and analysis of the sounds of a particular language