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Definition of isolex

isolex

/ˈaɪ.soʊˌlɛks/
i · so · lex
Plural:isolexes
•
Adjective:isolexic
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isolex Lexical Profile

isolex Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A line on a dialect map marking the boundary between geographical areas where different words are used to denote the same concept.

Example

"The linguist drew an isolex across the regional map to clearly illustrate where the term 'soda' transitions into 'pop'."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for isolex

Word Nuance & Usage

While often used interchangeably with the broader term 'isogloss', an isolex specifically maps boundaries of vocabulary rather than differences in pronunciation or grammar.

• Nearby Words

isolationism
isolationist
isolator
isolex
isometric
isometrics
isoplexis

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in the mid-20th century from the prefix 'iso-' (from Greek 'isos', meaning 'equal') and 'lex' (from Greek 'lexis', meaning 'word').

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Isolex. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/isolex
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