minimal pair
nounUK /ˈmɪn.ɪ.məl peər/
US /ˈmɪn.ə.məl per/
Two words that sound almost the same but have one different sound.
The words "cat" and "bat" make a minimal pair.
RELATED WORDS
OTHER MEANINGS
2. A pair of words used to test if someone can hear a small sound difference.
The teacher used a minimal pair to check his listening.
3. Two items that differ in only one small way.
The two designs are a minimal pair, different only in color.
4. A language exercise that compares two similar-sounding words.
We practiced a minimal pair to fix our accent.