polysyllable

noun

poly·​syl·​la·​ble ˈpä-lē-ˌsi-lə-bəl How to pronounce polysyllable (audio)
ˌpä-lē-ˈsi-
: a polysyllabic word

Word History

Etymology

modification of Medieval Latin polysyllaba, from feminine of polysyllabus

First Known Use

1570, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of polysyllable was in 1570

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Polysyllable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/polysyllable. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on polysyllable

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!