Definition of phonetic

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pho·net·ic    (f-ntk) KEY 

ADJECTIVE:

1. Of or relating to phonetics.
2. Representing the sounds of speech with a set of distinct symbols, each designating a single sound: phonetic spelling.
3. Of, relating to, or being features of pronunciation that are not phonemically distinctive in a language, as aspiration of consonants or vowel length in English.

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ETYMOLOGY:
New Latin phnticus, representing speech sounds, from Greek phntikos, vocal, from phntos, to be spoken, from phnein, to produce a sound, from phn, sound, voice; see bh-² in Indo-European roots

OTHER FORMS:
pho·neti·cal(Adjective), pho·neti·cal·ly(Adverb)