Phonemes are the smallest units of sound that make up a language. These sounds can be combined to create words, sentences, and ultimately, the language itself. There are many synonyms for phonemes, including speech sounds, phonological units, and basic speech elements. Phonemics, phonology, and phonetics all also refer to the study and analysis of these sounds. Other terms might include articulatory phonetics, acoustic phonetics, and auditory phonetics, all of which refer to the different aspects of speech sounds and how they are perceived and produced by speakers of a language. Understanding the different synonyms for phonemes can help to provide a more comprehensive view of the study of language and speech.