markedness constraint

/ˈmɑrkədnəs kənˈstɹeɪnt/

noun

In Optimality Theory, universal features that languages prefer to keep unviolated.

“the lack of codas is a markedness constraint that English violates, but Samoan keeps intact all the time.”

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Meanings

nounmarkedness constraint (plural markedness constraints)

plural markedness constraints

  1. human sciencesIn Optimality Theory, universal features that languages prefer to keep unviolated.

    the lack of codas is a markedness constraint that English violates, but Samoan keeps intact all the time.

Origin

From markedness + constraint.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

markedness constraint. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/markedness%20constraint

MLA

“markedness constraint.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/markedness%20constraint. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “markedness constraint,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/markedness%20constraint.

Source: markedness constraint on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.