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allophone

A person whose mother tongue is one other than that spoken by the majority.

ˈaləˌfəʊn168 viewsLast reviewed Jun 29, 2026+ Add a definition
🗺️ Regional & Other
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#1·Apr 27, 2026

A person whose mother tongue is one other than that spoken by the majority.

For parents

"allophone" means: A person whose mother tongue is one other than that spoken by the majority.. This is a fairly neutral word with no inherent risk attached. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than something dangerous. If your child uses it, context will usually make the meaning clear. A brief, curious question about where they heard it is generally enough to know whether to follow up.

For ESL learners

"allophone" means: A person whose mother tongue is one other than that spoken by the majority.. Register: neutral, standard English, usable in most everyday contexts. A common non-native mistake is to use the word in the wrong register, or to assume one fixed meaning when it is actually polysemous; always check the surrounding register and the audience before producing it yourself. In formal writing, prefer a neutral synonym or a short descriptive phrase, and use this word only when you have heard or read it being used naturally in a comparable context.

Cluster: parent
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#2·Apr 27, 2026

(Canada) Of or relating to those whose mother tongue is neither English, French, nor (sometimes) an indigenous language of Canada.

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#3·Apr 27, 2026

(phonology) Any of two or more alternative pronunciations for a phoneme.

In some languages, [ʋ] is an allophone of /v/.
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For specific readers

"allophone" means: A person whose mother tongue is one other than that spoken by the majority.. This is a fairly neutral word with no inherent risk attached. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than something dangerous. If your child uses it, context will usually make the meaning clear. A brief, curious question about where they heard it is generally enough to know whether to follow up.

Why is this section here?

Slang is read by different audiences for very different reasons. The For parents view re-explains the term in plain, non-judgemental language so a caregiver can understand what their child means without needing the surrounding subculture. The For English learners view focuses on register (when it's safe to use), formal alternatives, and common mistakes — what a textbook won't teach you.

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Regional slang from around the English-speaking world — British, Australian, Irish, Caribbean, Nigerian, Filipino, AAVE, and the hyphenated-English dialects that make the internet sound local.

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