Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

step change

Word Rarity Uncommon

Frequency: Zipf frequency 4.99 in modern English

Syllables: step change
IPA

18

Scrabble Score

10

Letters

1

Syllables

9

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

A sudden, discontinuous change.

Example Sentences

"The report, stark and uncompromising, marks a step change in Europe's own role in pushing for international action to combat climate change, as it will be used in a bid to commit the EU to ambitious new targets for cutting emissions of greenhouse gases."
"This 'pre-funding' helps smooth payments and avoids step-changes in charges to operators, according to ORR [Office of Rail and Road]."

Etymology

The concept has been borrowed from mathematics and technology terminology, from step function.

Inflected Forms

step changes (plural)

Phrases

paradigm shift quantum leap quantum jump

Frequently Paired Words

paradigm shift quantum leap quantum jump

Questions

What does step change mean?: A sudden, discontinuous change.
Where does step change come from?: The concept has been borrowed from mathematics and technology terminology, from step function.

How to pronounce step change

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “step change”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling () so you know which sounds to aim for.
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Repeat and practice — Say “step change” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.