ambisyllabic

adjective

am·​bi·​syl·​lab·​ic

of a sound or cluster of sounds

: partly in the first and partly in the second or not assignable to one only of two consecutive syllables

the n in cynic is ambisyllabic

Word History

Etymology

ambi- + -syllabic

First Known Use

1942, in the meaning defined above

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

• More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
• Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
• Advanced search features
• Ad free!