non-rhotic

adjective

non-rho·​tic ˈnän-ˈrō-tik How to pronounce non-rhotic (audio)
phonetics
: not rhotic : of, relating to, having, or being an accent or dialect in English in which an /r/ sound is not retained before consonants (as in pronouncing hard and cart) and at the end of a word (as in pronouncing car and far)
a non-rhotic dialect/accent/speaker

Examples of non-rhotic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The New England accent cracked the top twenty at 19th, thanks to its non-rhotic R’s and unique vocabulary, according to a survey. Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 3 Aug. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1968, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of non-rhotic was in 1968

Dictionary Entries Near non-rhotic

Cite this Entry

“Non-rhotic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/non-rhotic. Accessed 25 Dec. 2024.

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