retroflex

About 0.08 uses per million words.

Meaning

1. adjective Bent or curved backwards.
2. adjective Of pronunciation in which the tip of the tongue is raised and bent backwards, so that the underside of the tongue approaches or touches the palate.
3. adjective Of pronunciation in which the tip of the tongue approaches or touches the back of the alveolar ridge.
4. adjective Of pronunciation in which the blade of the tongue approaches or touches the back of the alveolar ridge.
5. adjective Of any of the aforementioned pronunciations.
6. noun A consonant pronounced with the underside of the tongue approaching or touching the palate.
7. noun A consonant pronounced with the tip of the tongue approaching or touching the back of the alveolar ridge.
8. noun A consonant pronounced with the blade of the tongue approaching or touching the back of the alveolar ridge.

Similar words

backward cacuminal approximant retroflexive retroverted retrorsal retrolateral anteflexed retroclivous inbent

Often followed by

consonants sounds and stops stop flap consonant lateral r