Speakur

Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

downstep

Word Rarity Very rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 0.00 in modern English

Syllables
down-step
IPA
14
Scrabble Score
8
Letters
2
Syllables
8
Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

A downward shift of tone between the syllables or words of a tonal language.

verb

To apply a downward shift of tone between the syllables or words of a tonal language.

Etymology

Etymology tree English down- Proto-Germanic *stapjaną Proto-West Germanic *stappjan Old English stæppan Middle English steppen English step English downstep From down- + step.

Subject

Wiktionary places this term in Linguistics.

Inflected Forms

downsteps (plural) downsteps (present, singular) downstepping (participle, present) downstepped (participle, past) downstepped (past)

Frequently Paired Words

catathesis upstep

Questions

What does downstep mean?
A downward shift of tone between the syllables or words of a tonal language.
Where does downstep come from?
Etymology tree English down- Proto-Germanic *stapjaną Proto-West Germanic *stappjan Old English stæppan Middle English steppen English step English downstep From down- + step.

How to pronounce downstep

  1. Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “downstep”.
  2. Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling () so you know which sounds to aim for.
  3. Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “downstep”.
  4. Repeat and practice — Say “downstep” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.