What does glottal mean?
Glottal is a technical adjective relating to the glottis, the structure at the entrance of the larynx that helps control airflow and the vibration of the vocal folds. In phonetics, it describes a sound produced by closing the vocal folds at the glottis and then releasing the trapped air abruptly, as in the glottal stop found in some varieties of English. The same adjective can refer more generally to closure, pressure, or reinforcement at the glottis. Because the term comes from anatomy and phonetics, it is most often encountered in academic, clinical, or linguistic discussion rather than everyday conversation. Knowing it helps distinguish sounds made at the lips, tongue, and velum from those made at the voice box. It also clarifies why certain regional pronunciations are described as glottal: the defining action is not simply a different tongue position, but a brief closure and release of the vocal folds.
adjectiveRelating to the glottis or involving closure at the glottis. In phonetics, it describes a sound produced by closing the vocal folds and releasing them abruptly.
- Relating to the glottis or produced by closure of the vocal folds.
"The speaker produced a glottal stop at the end of the word."
"English sometimes replaces a /t/ sound with a glottal stop at the end of a word."
"Inspectors noted clear glottal closure at the moment of vocalization."
In some accents of English, the “t” in “water” becomes a glottal stop: the vocal folds briefly seal before releasing the trapped air.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does glottal come from?
The adjective glottal comes through New Latin glottalis, meaning “of or relating to the glottis.” It is based on Latin glottis, borrowed from Greek glōttis, a diminutive of glōtta, meaning “tongue.” Related English forms include glottis and epiglottis, while the adjective also underlies derivatives such as glottalize and glottalization.
Related word forms
How glottal is actually used
A technical term used chiefly in phonetics, linguistics, speech pathology, and medicine. It is formal and neutral, though speakers discussing regional pronunciation may use the more specific term “glottal stop” for the sound itself.
Easily confused with glottal
A glottis is the opening and surrounding structures at the upper part of the larynx, whereas glottal is an adjective describing something connected with that area or produced by closure there.