What does nasalized mean?
Nasalized describes a speech sound that has been modified by allowing air to pass through the nose, usually while the mouth is closed or only partly closed. The process commonly gives a vowel a resonant, muffled quality, as can occur in English when a vowel precedes a nasal consonant such as m or n. In specialist writing, “nasalized vowel” and “nasalized sound” are common expressions, and speakers may describe a voice as heavily or slightly nasalized. The word is related to “nasalize,” the verb describing the act of making such a modification, and “nasalization,” the linguistic process or result. In everyday discussion, nasalization is also associated with some regional accents and speaking styles, although it should not automatically be treated as an error. Within phonetics, however, it is a precise technical term for the presence or degree of nasal resonance in a sound.
adjectiveProduced or modified with airflow through the nose, especially when the mouth is closed. In phonetics, it describes a vowel or other speech sound that has acquired a nasal quality.
- Characterized by the addition of nasal airflow or resonance to a speech sound, especially a vowel.
"The speaker's rapid delivery turned the vowels into a stream of nasalized sounds."
"Nasalized vowels often occur in English when a word ends in a nasal consonant, as in “sin.”"
"The actor spoke with a deliberately nasalized accent."
A nasalized vowel lets one sound echo through the nose, giving speech its distinctive resonance.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does nasalized come from?
Nasalized is formed from nasalize, which in turn comes from nasal. The adjective nasal entered English through French and Latin and ultimately relates to Latin nasus, meaning “nose.” Related English words such as nausea and nauseous descend from the same Latin root, while nasalization names the process described by nasalized.
Related word forms
How nasalized is actually used
The term is most common in phonetics, phonology, and speech or voice instruction. It is technical when used precisely but can also describe an accent or speaking style in general discussion.
Easily confused with nasalized
“Nasal” can describe a sound produced through the nose or a part of the anatomy, whereas “nasalized” specifically describes a sound or pronunciation modified by nasal airflow.