Meanings
nounoptimality theory (uncountable)
- uncountablehuman sciencesA linguistic model proposing that the observed forms of language arise from the interaction between conflicting constraints.
Synonyms: OT
Synonyms & antonyms
nounA linguistic model proposing that the observed forms of language arise from the interaction between conflicting constraints.
Similar
Translations
Chinese Mandarin 優選理論 /优选理论, 優選論 /优选论
- 優選理論 /优选理论 (yōuxuǎn lǐlùn)linguistic model
- 優選論 /优选论 (yōuxuǎnlùn)linguistic model
Finnish optimaalisuusteoria
- optimaalisuusteorialinguistic model
French théorie de l'optimalité
- théorie de l'optimalitélinguistic model
Spanish teoría de la optimidad, teoría de la optimalidad
- teoría de la optimidadlinguistic model
- teoría de la optimalidadlinguistic model
Cite this entry
APA
optimality theory. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/optimality%20theory
MLA
“optimality theory.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/optimality%20theory. Accessed November 3, 2026.
Chicago
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “optimality theory,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/optimality%20theory.
Source: optimality theory on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.