Glossolalia
/ˌɡlɒs.əˈleɪ.li.ə/noun
Speech that sounds like language but is not recognized as any known language, especially in religious contexts.
Did you know?Glossolalia is built from Greek roots for “tongue” and “speaking,” and its modern fame comes from Pentecostal and charismatic worship, where it’s often framed as a Spirit-given language beyond ordinary speech.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
glōssa
“tongue; language”
Ancient Greek
Greek
lalein
“to talk; chatter”
19th Century
Greek/English
glōssolalia
“speech in an unknown tongue or ecstatic utterance”
Modern English
English
glossolalia
“utterance resembling language but not identified as a known language”