Linguistics Terms

noun a word or phrase functioning as a noun

adjective relating to a noun or a word group that functions as a noun

adverb in name only; insignificantly small

• The nominal fee for the service is $10.
• The ticket price is just a nominal amount.
• I'll pay you back with a nominal sum.
• His title as manager was merely nominal, as he had no real authority.

noun a promise or agreement made between prisoners and their jailers for the release of the prisoner before the completion of their sentence

• The prisoner was released on parole after serving half of his sentence.
• He's out on parole now, so he has to follow strict rules.
• I heard he got off on a technicality and is now on parole.
• Being on parole feels like walking on thin ice, always afraid of slipping up.

noun the communication differences between men and women

• The study of genderlect explores the differences in language use between men and women.
• I noticed some genderlect differences when chatting with my friends at the party.
• It's crazy how much genderlect can affect communication between guys and girls.
• The genderlect barrier can sometimes make it challenging to fully understand each other's perspectives.