noun
Ayn
yn
noun
1
The letter representing the guttural consonant sound written ع in Arabic and similar letters in other Semitic languages.
"The Arabic name "Ali" begins with a soft consonant, but many Semitic names contain an ayn sound that has no real English equivalent."
"Linguists often transliterate ayn using the symbol ʕ."
How to Use Ayn
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA throat-formed consonant sound found in Arabic, Hebrew, and related languages.
Memory tip
English speakers often skip the sound entirely since there is no equivalent in English.
Trace the full origin ↓Word Forms
ayns plural, ayns plural
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Fill the Gap
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The Arabic name "Ali" begins with a soft consonant, but many Semitic names contain an _____ sound that has no real English equivalent.
Etymology
Traces back to a Semitic root word simply meaning "eye" — the letter's ancient shape was thought to resemble one.