underlying form

noun

The abstract form that a given morpheme is postulated to have before any phonological rules are applied.

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Meanings

noununderlying form (plural underlying forms)

plural underlying forms

  1. human sciencesThe abstract form that a given morpheme is postulated to have before any phonological rules are applied.
Cite this entry
APA

underlying form. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/underlying%20form

MLA

“underlying form.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/underlying%20form. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “underlying form,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/underlying%20form.

Source: underlying form on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.