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'''[[English language|English]]''' is notorious for its many varied, inconsistent and irregular '''[[spelling]]s'''. This can be seen at its most extravagant in the field of [[English noun#Types of nouns|proper noun]]s—for example, simply adding  an 'h' to 'Maria' to make it rhyme with 'pariah', or calling oneself 'Cholmondeley Featherstonehaugh' while pronouncing it 'Chumley Fanshaw'. An example of a common [[misspelling]] is 'disasterous' for 'disastrous', retaining the 'e' of 'disaster'.  Many words do not turn out to have the pronunciation they appear to have: 'do' and 'to' do not rhyme with 'go' and 'no', while 'seismic', instead of being 'seezmic' or 'sayzmic', or even 'sayizmic', is in fact 'size-mic'. The above grid (reproduced and explained below) provides links to three lists and a '''[[A (letter)|cluster of articles]]''' devoted to these things.


<center><big>
To show pronunciation, these articles use correct spellings with added [[Accent (pronunciation)|accent]] marks, instead of relying on the [[International Phonetic Alphabet]] (IPA). In some cases incorrect respellings are placed next to the correct ones, signalled by a preceding asterisk, like '''thís''' *thíss.  The accent marks show pronunciation, '''thús'''. A table of these accents (which are not part of the language<ref>A few different accents, mostly from French, sometimes crop up in English, however; see [[French words in English]].</ref>) can be found below; there is also an [[International Phonetic Alphabet|IPA]] key at [[English phonemes]]. Where there is more than one accent, the first is [[stress (linguistics)|stressed]], and the same is true after a hyphen, so in the respelling  of '''Tchaikóvsky''', *Chŷ-kóffskỳ, it is 'kóff' that has the main stress. (Another way of showing new stress is with a bar: '''Tchaî'''|'''kóvsky'''.) A sentence from the preceding paragraph can thus be rewritten as follows: "An example of a common misspelling is *disāsterous for '''disāstrous''', retaining the '''E''' of '''disāster'''." Respelling may be used to exemplify an incorrect spelling, or show a correct pronunciation, or a bit of both. Unlike the [[International Phonetic Alphabet|IPA]], where there can only be one version per pronunciation, as there must be an unambiguous one-to-one correspondence, there can be many respellings: if *disāsterous for '''disāstrous''' is a common mistake, we can also represent the pronunciation as *dizāstrus or *dizāstrous or *dizāstrəss (with 'ə', a special character &ndash; the only one used &ndash; for [[schwa]]); or we can contrast [[British English]] *dizàstrus with [[American English|American]] *dizástrus.
[[English_spellings/A|A]]   [[English_spellings/B|B]]   [[English_spellings/C|C]]   [[English_spellings/D|D]]  [[English_spellings/E|E]]   [[English_spellings/F|F]]   [[English_spellings/G|G]]   [[English_spellings/H|H]]  [[English_spellings/I|I]]   [[English_spellings/J|J]]  [[English_spellings/K|K]]  [[English_spellings/L|L]]  [[English_spellings/M|M]]  [[English_spellings/N|N]]  [[English_spellings/O|O]]   [[English_spellings/P|P]]   [[English_spellings/Q|Q]]   [[English_spellings/R|R]]  [[English_spellings/S|S]]  [[English_spellings/T|T]]  [[English_spellings/U|U]]  [[English_spellings/V|V]]  [[English_spellings/W|W]]  [[English_spellings/X|X]]  [[English_spellings/Y|Y]]  [[English_spellings/Z|Z]]  [[English_spellings/Apostrophe|Apostrophe]]'''
</big></center>


:''The letter links above lead to alphabetically arranged selections of commonly misspelt and/or mispronounced words, alongside some regular ones for contrast; in addition, the present page features  a 'retroalphabetical' list (see Contents) with words arranged alphabetically by their final letters''
Particular attention is given to [[homophones]], words with the same pronunciation but different meanings.   English is rich in homophones, many of which are also homonyms, having also the same spelling, as, for example, '''cán''' ''able, tin'' (the italicised words suggest meanings, in this case two); while homographs are words with the same spelling whose meanings are distinguished by different pronunciations.
 
'''English''' is famous, even notorious, for its varied '''spellings'''. This can be seen at its most extravagant in the field of proper names, as, for example, simply adding  an 'h' to 'Maria' to make it rhyme with 'pariah', or calling oneself 'Cholmondeley Featherstonehaugh', pronounced 'Chumley Fanshaw'. On a more prosaic level, however, there are dangers. An example of a common misspelling is 'disasterous' for 'disastrous', maintaining the 'e' of 'disaster'. And conversely, words may not turn out to have the pronunciation they appear to have: 'do' and 'to' you might expect to rhyme with 'go' and 'no', while 'seismic', instead of being 'seezmic' or 'sayzmic' is in fact 'size-mic'. These lists are devoted to these things.
 
A few notes on how to read them: linguists conventionally put an asterisk before words in order to denote an incorrect spelling, and here we also include accent marks to show stress and pronunciation. A table of these (which are not part of the language<ref>Different accents, mostly from French, are sometimes used, however; see [[French words in English]]. Also, some Hawaiian words have accents.[http://www.geocities.com/~olelo/o-pronunciation.html]</ref>) can be found at the end of this article; there is also an [[International Phonetic  Alphabet|IPA]] key at [[English phonemes]]. Where there is more than one accent, the first is stressed, and the same is true after a hyphen, so in the respelling *Chŷ-kóffsky, it is 'kóff' that has the main stress. A sentence from the preceding paragraph can thus be rewritten as follows: An example of a common misspelling is *disāsterous for '''disāstrous''', maintaining the '''e''' of '''disāster'''.
 
Particular attention is given to [[homophones]], words with the same pronunciation.  English is rich in homophones; it also has many homonyms, words with the same spelling and pronunciation, and homographs, words with the same spelling but different pronunciation.  Examples of all three are grouped together here.  


Also of special note are words that many writers incorrectly divide.  '''ôver''' and '''dûe''', for example, combine to form '''overdûe''', without a space in the middle.  Such examples are included with ‘one word’ alongside them: '''alongsîde''' one word.   
Also of special note are words that many writers incorrectly divide.  '''ôver''' and '''dûe''', for example, combine to form '''overdûe''', without a space in the middle.  Such examples are included with ‘one word’ alongside them: '''alongsîde''' one word.   


An equals sign = is placed between homophones (in some cases the approximately equals sign ≈ is more appropriate). Homographs and other similar-looking words are included after 'cf.' (from Latin ''conferre'', 'compare').  
An equals sign = is placed between homophones (in some cases the approximately equals sign ≈ is more appropriate). Homographs and other similar-looking words are included after 'cf.' (Latin ''conferre'', 'compare').  


Some words from other languages, in most cases French, may be written with accents from those languages. Such spellings are shown using bold italics: '''touchè''' may be written with a French accent: '''''touché''''' *tooshây.
Some words from other languages, in most cases French, may sometimes appear in English with accents from those languages. Here, such spellings are shown using bold italics: '''touchè''' may be written with a French accent: '''''touché''''' *tooshây.


The apostrophe is an important part of spelling and so it has its own place at the end of the alphabet. An asterisk is placed before incorrect respellings, thus: *thuss.  Fragments are in bold when correct: '''Ukrâine''' has -'''âine''', not -âne. Words in ''italics'' are used to suggest meanings, in the case of similar words.  The word ''person'' (or ''persons'' after more than one) implies either a personal or family name.  Such words are included because they often contrast with the spellings of homophones, for example a bank clerk might be named '''Clàrk''' or '''Clàrke''', but most probably not 'Clerk' (which is pronounced identically in [[British English|BrE]])It may, of course, also be a commercial or place name, as this is a matter regarding individuals: the fact that one is more likely to meet a person, most probably male, called '''Maurice Mórris''' than one called '''Mórris Maurice''', both words and hence both names being pronounced the same in BrE ('''Maurìce''' in [[American English|AmE]]), is about as relevant as the fact that one is unlikely to meet a person called either.
The [[apostrophe]] is an important part of spelling and so it is treated as a letter, with its own place at the end of the alphabet.   


{{TOC-right}}
Fragments of words are in bold when correctly spelt: '''Ukrâine''' has -'''âine''', not -âne.


==Retroalphabetical list==
Words in ''italics'' are used to suggest meanings (e.g. '''sêa''' ''water'' = '''sêe''' ''vision'', where the equals sign denotes identical pronunciation).  Words beginning with an initial capital may have no word in italics following: these are names of people, either personal or family, and/or commercial or  place names.  Such words are included because they often contrast with the spellings of homophones:  a bank clerk might be named '''Clàrk''' or '''Clàrke''', but probably not 'Clerk' (though  [[British English|BrE]] '''clerk''' = '''Clàrk'''/'''Clàrke'''). Unusual spellings can be explained by regular ones: '''Cloúgh''' = '''Clúff'''. An American called '''Maurìce Mŏrris''' could just as well be called '''Mórris Maurice''' ("Morris Morris") in Britain, where '''Maurice''' = '''Mórris''' (although it would be putting the conventional surname before the conventional given name).
:''For the conventionally alphabetical list, see the links at the top of the page''


This list is in alphabetical order beginning with the final letter of the word and continuing backwards through it.  The headword is on the right. In this way, suffixes and other word endings can be seen grouped together, just as prefixes can be seen in normal alphabetical order.  So, instead of '''ádd båll coúsin''', we have '''réplicA fláB plástiC'''; and so for '''mûsiC''', see under -'''c''', for '''mûsicaL''', see under -'''l''', for '''pàrticlE''', see under -'''e''', and so on.
==Links to letter articles and lists==
{{:English_spellings/Catalogs/Masterlist}}
In the navigation table above (reproduced at the top of each article in the [[CZ:Article structure|cluster]]) the cells in each row link as follows:


Some  suffixes are included separately with their pronunciation applying or not to following words.
*Top row: '''''articles''''' on each letter and its use in English. There are similar articles on [[GH]], the [[apostrophe]] and the [[hyphen]].


Throughout, the apostrophe is treated as the last letter, after '''z'''.   
*Second row: '''''alphabetical''''' lists of of commonly misspelt and/or mispronounced words, alongside more regular words they may be confused with (words beginning with an apostrophe are [[English spellings/Catalogs/Apostrophe|here]]). Some incorrect spellings are also listed, signalled by an asterisk: *dispánd '''disbánd''' means that the word is 'disband'. (The ''bottom row'' is devoted entirely to misspellings and typos.)
For clarity, italic association words are to the left of the example word:  
   
*Third row: '''''retroalphabetical''''' lists, arranged alphabetically according to the final letter of the word and continuing backwards through it: 
::In the retroalphabetical lists the headword is on the right. In this way, suffixes and other word endings can be seen grouped together, just as prefixes can be seen in normal alphabetical order.  So, instead of '''ádd båll coúsin''', we have '''réplicA fláB plástiC'''; and so for '''mûsiC''', see under -'''C''', for '''mûsicaL''', see under -'''L''', for '''pàrticlE''', see under -'''E''', and so on.


''woman'' '''mâid''' = ''make'' '''mâde'''
::Some  suffixes are included separately; their pronunciation may or may not apply to following words ("always -'''ãrian'''" means there is no other pronunciation of -'''ãrian''').


===A===
::Throughout, the apostrophe is treated as the last letter, after '''Z'''.  (Words ending in an apostrophe are [[English spellings/Catalogs/Apostrophe#Final and medial|also here]].)
mostly schwa -'''a'''


[[British English|BrE]] ''barrier, drink'' '''bàr''' = ''sheep'' '''bàa'''  
::For clarity, italic association words are to the left of the example word:
:::''woman'' '''mâid''' = ''make'' '''mâde'''


'''Ábba
::Some incorrect spellings are listed retroalphabetically, in which case the misspelling goes on the right, just as in the alphabetical list:
:::'''wêasel''' *wêasal


'''Shêba
*Bottom row: '''''common misspellings''''' including '''''typos''''' (blue-linked for checking purposes), followed by the correct versions.


'''Cûba
Two main varieties are distinguished: [[British English]] (BrE), that of the [[United Kingdom|UK]] and much of the [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]] (see also [[Commonwealth English]]), and [[American English]] (AmE), that of the [[United States of America|USA]] and [[Canada]] (without the [[caught-cot merger|'''cåught''' = '''cót''']] merger that has occurred in some parts of North America).


'''Hécuba
Unlike dictionaries, the lists include personal and place names for their own sake and for contrast.


'''scûba
==Table of accents==
These accents are intended to show the pronunciation while retaining the spelling: they are not part of the language. Those on '''i''' and '''y''' show the same sound; similarly with '''u''', '''oo''' and '''w'''.  Accented vowels are stressed ('''ỳ''' is normally unstressed, as in '''háppy''').  '''ā''', not in the table, means that the sound is '''à''' in standard British and Commonwealth pronunciations but '''á''' in American and other British and Commonwealth speech.
{|class="wikitable"
|rowspan=2|
|colspan=3 align=center|'''Front vowels
|colspan=5 align=center|'''Back vowels
|-
!e
!i       
!y<ref>When not accented, '''y''' is usually the semi-consonant of '''yoû''' and '''yés'''.</ref>
!a
!o
!u
!oo
!w<ref>When not accented, '''w''' is usually the semi-consonant of '''wê''' and '''wíll'''.</ref>
|-
|width=36%|The typical short sound, never occurring at the end of a word (acute accent)
|width=8%|'''pét
|width=8%|'''pít
|width=8%|'''crýpt
|width=8%|'''cát
|width=8%|'''dóg'''<ref>In American English this short British sound is replaced by the longer '''à''' in most positions, and by '''ŏ''' before '''r'''.</ref>
|width=8%|'''nút
|width=8%|
|width=8%|
|-
|The typical long sound, corresponding to the names of the letters A, E, I, O and U (circumflex accent)
|'''sêe
|'''nîce
|'''mŷ
|'''nâme
|'''nôse
|'''rûle
|'''toô
|'''neŵ
|-
|Sounds shown with the grave accent ('''ẁ'''- and '''qù'''- indicate the [[British English|BrE]] '''ó''' sound of the following '''a''', '''ẁad''' rhyming with '''qùad'''; '''òu''' and '''òw''' are diphthongs sounding like '''àù''' in '''àùtobahn''': '''nòw''' has this '''sòund''')
|'''èight''' (= â)
|'''machìne''' (= ê)
|'''quaỳ''' ''water'' = '''kêỳ''' ''lock'' <br>(= ê)
|'''àre
|'''òther''', '''blòod''' <br>(= ú)
|'''fùll''' (= oò), '''qùantity''' (= w)
|'''foòt''' (= ù)
|'''ẁant''' (= wó)<ref>Grave accents on '''w''' and on a '''u''' following a '''q''' indicate the sound of the following '''a''': '''à''' in American English, but in British the extra sound '''ó''' as in the British pronunciation of '''hót'''.</ref>
|-
|The '''ër''' sound (umlaut accent)
|'''përson
|'''bïrd
|'''mÿrtle
|('''ëarth''')
|'''wörd
|'''pürr
|
|
|-
|The '''åw'''/'''ŏr''' sound (ring accent)<ref>'''å''' and '''ŏ''' show the same sound: ideally the '''o''' too would have a ring over it, but this symbol is not available, so '''ŏ''' is used instead.</ref>
|
|('''cŏin''')
|('''jŏy''')
|'''åll'''
|'''mŏre
|(for some BrE speakers) '''sůre
|
|
|-
|The '''ãir''' sound (tilde accent)
|('''thére''')
|('''ãir''' =
|'''Ãyr''')
|'''stãre
|
|
|
|
|-
|Irregular (respelling needed)
|'''sew''' (= '''sô''')
|'''meringue''' (*məráng)
|
|'''because''' (*bikóz)
|'''woman''' (*wùmən), '''women''' (*wímən)
|'''business''' (*bízníss)
|
|
|}


'''tûba
===Example sentences===
These sentences show how the accents may be used, for example, when teaching pronunciation. Words without accents are monosyllables with the [[schwa]] sound, a neutral grunt.


'''Lŏrca
''The usual short sound, acute accent:''


(but [[Vladimir Nabokov|Nabokov]]'s is '''Àda''') '''Âda'''
'''The gínger cát was jéalous of the bláck cát: howéver, the tábby was a véry dífferent mátter - the stúff of réveries, ín fáct.


'''Granàda
''The usual long sound, circumflex accent:''


'''Grenâda
'''Sây mŷ nâme thrêe tîmes with stŷle and Î’ll gô and fînd a tûne to plây for yoû.


'''propagánda
''The third sound, grave accent:''


'''referénda<ref>Plural of '''referéndum''': for more words like this, see [[English irregular nouns]].</ref>
'''Christìna Grèy shoùld (and dòes?) lòve her mòther and fàther.


.*îdêə '''idêa
''The '''ër''' sound, umlaut:''


.*flê '''flêa
'''But fïrst, Mÿrtle, fürther dïrty, ïrksome and distürbing wörk for the nürses.


.*plê '''plêa
''The '''ŏr''' sound ('''sůre''' here is with [[British English|British]] pronunciation = '''Shåw'''), the ring, or half-ring:''


-êə '''Crîmêa
'''Sůre yoû ŏught to cråwl ón åll fŏurs, m’lŏrd?


-êə '''ãrêa
''Irregular, without accent, instead with respelling:''


''person'' '''Chélsy''' = ''place''  '''Chélsêa'''
'''Many women? Any woman!''' (pronounced: *Ménny wímmin? Énny wùman!)


.*Swónzy '''Sẁansêa
==Double letters==
The following alphabetical table shows examples of how letters can be doubled in English.  


.*nåuzêə '''nåusêa
Double consonant letters before suffixes are used (as often elsewhere) to preserve short vowel sounds, as in '''flípped''' (not *flîped), '''rebélled''' (not *rebêled) and '''pégged''' (not *pêged, which if regular would in any case be pronounced *pêjed).  Compare '''scrâped''', past of '''scrâpe''', and '''scrápped''', from '''scráp'''. In the case of '''t''', doubling it after an unstressed vowel and before a suffix may seem unnecessary, but in some cases it can be doubled before -'''ed''': either '''tàrgeted''' or '''tàrgetted''' (but always '''commítted''').


'''Ólga
The sign # indicates a double letter that is rare in that position; capital-letter words indicate that the double letter in this position is only found in names. An asterisk (*) indicates a respelling to show pronunciation, and an equals sign (=) introduces a [[homophone]].
{|class="wikitable"
|-
!letter
!initial
!medial
!final
!final + silent e
|-
|'''A
|'''àardvark''' #<ref>'''àardvark''' and '''Transvàal''' are from '''[[Afrikaans|Afrikàans]]''', itself a further example.</ref>
|'''bazàar''' #
|'''bàa''' #
|
|-
|'''B
|
|'''ríbbon
|'''ébb''' #
|'''Crábbe''' (= '''cráb''')
|-
|'''C
|
|'''sóccer''' (*sócker), '''accépt''' (*əxépt)
|
|
|-
|'''D
|
|'''hídden
|'''ádd
|
|-
|'''E
|'''êel
|'''bêen
|'''sêe
|
|-
|'''F
|'''Ffoùlkes'''
|'''éffort
|'''óff'''
|'''Clíffe''' (= '''clíff''')
|-
|'''G
|
|'''aggréssion''' (-'''g'''-), '''exággerate''' (-j-)
|'''égg''' #
|'''Légge''' (= '''lég''')
|-
|'''H
|
|'''hítchhike''' # (accidental)
|
|
|-
|'''I
|
|'''skìíng''' #
|'''Hawàìi''' #
|
|-
|'''J
|
|
|'''hàjj''' # (also spelt '''hàdj''')
|
|-
|'''K
|
|'''púkka'''; '''boòkkeeper''' (accidental)<ref>With a pause to indicate both '''k'''’s are pronounced.</ref> #
|
|
|-
|'''L
|'''llàma'''<ref>Also representing a [[Welsh language|Welsh]] sound in place names like '''Llandudno''' (-dídno) and '''Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwrndrobllllantysiliogogogóch'''.</ref> #
|'''fílling
|'''wéll'''
|'''bélle''' ''beauty'' (= '''béll''' ''ring'')


'''broûhàhà
|-
|'''M
|
|'''súmmer
|'''Crámm''' (= '''crám''')
|'''grámme''' (= '''grám''')
|-
|'''N
|
|'''dínner
|'''ínn''' # ''pub''
|'''Ánne''' (= '''Ánn''')
|-
|'''O
|'''oôze, oòmph''' #
|'''foôd, foòt, flòod, doŏr'''
|'''toô
|'''Loôe''' (= '''loô''')
|-
|'''P
|
|'''flípped
|
|'''stéppe''' ''Asia'' # (= '''stép''' ''foot'')
|-
|'''Q
|
|'''Sadìqqi''' #
|
|
|-
|'''R
|
|'''érror
|'''pürr
|
|-
|'''S
|
|'''méssy
|'''lóss
|'''crevásse
|-
|'''T
|
|'''bétter
|'''ẁatt
|'''couchétte''' -sh-
|-
|'''U
|
|'''vácuum''' # (*vákyoôm)
|
|
|-
|'''V
|
|'''révved''' #
|
|
|-
|'''W
|
|'''Lawwell''' # (accidental)
|
|
|-
|'''X
|
|'''[[Exxon|Éxxon]]''' ™ #
|'''[[Bob B. Soxx and the Blue Jeans|Bób B. Sóxx]]''' #
|
|-
|'''Y
|
|'''[[Omar Khayyam|Khayyàm]]''' #
|
|
|-
|'''Z
|
|'''fízzy
|'''búzz
|
|}


'''gèisha
==Names of the letters==
The names of the letters of the alphabet are rarely written out in English (a simple capital being the normal usage: "with a C, not a K") so that, unlike in many other languages, most of their spellings have a rather unofficial status. But they can be shown as follows, using real words where possible:


clóss- '''claustrophôbìa
'''A''': '''â''' (the indefinite article, when stressed), '''èh?''' ''what?


-íshə, rhymes with '''milítia''' -'''ícia
'''B''': '''bê''' ''exist'', '''bêe''' ''sting


'''Alícia
'''C''': occasionally '''cêe'''; '''sêe''' ''look'', '''sêa''' ''ship


'''Galìcia
'''D''': [[River Dee|'''Dêe''' ''River]], ''surname''


'''Patrícia
'''E''': '''ê''' as in '''êmail''', '''ê-mail


'''Albânia
'''F''': '''éff''' as in the euphemism '''éff óff


'''Tanzanìa
'''G''': '''gêe''' ''up, exclamation'' *jêe


'''Armênia
'''H''': '''âitch''' as in '''drópping your âitches


.*skítzô-frêniə '''schizophrênia
'''I''': '''Î''' ''me'', '''eŷe''' ''vision


'''Slovênia
'''J''': '''jây''' ''bird


'''insómnia
'''K''': '''Kây''' ''person


Wó- '''Wallônia
'''L''': '''él''' ''elevated railway'' ([[American English|AmE]])


'''ària
'''M''': '''ém''' ''dash


'''malãria
'''N''': '''én''' ''dash


'''Bavãria
'''O''': '''ôwe''' ''debt'', '''ôh!''' ''exclamation


'''Alexāndria
'''P''': '''pêa''' ''pod'', '''pêe''' ''urine'', '''p''' ''pence'' ([[British English|BrE]])


'''Lîbêria
'''Q''': '''queûe''' ''line'', '''cûe''' ''ball'', ''prompt


'''hystêria
'''R''': '''àre''' ''be'', BrE '''àh''' ''exclamation


pìts- '''pizzerìa
'''S''': occasionally '''éss


'''Victŏria
'''T''': '''têa''' ''drink'', '''têe''' ''golf'', '''tì''' ''do-re-mi


'''trattorìa
'''U''': '''yoû''' ''me'', '''eŵe''' ''sheep


.*Âyshə or *Âyzhə '''Âsia
'''V''': '''[[Bobby Vee|Vêe]]''' ''Bobby''


-zhə '''amnêsia
'''W''': "'''doúble you'''" (*dúblyu; cf. '''vácûum''', which actually does have a '''doúble Û''')


-zhə '''Indonêsia
'''X''': '''éx-''' ''past


.*Toô-nìzhə [[American English|AmE]]; [[British English|BrE]] Chû-nízìə '''Tunisia'''
'''Y''': '''whŷ''' ''reason'' (voiced '''w''', as in BrE)


-zhə '''Maláysia
'''Z''': BrE '''zéd''', AmE '''zêe


mostly -shə -'''tia
==''The Chaos''==
by Gerard Nolst Trenité


*Crôw-âyshə '''Croâtia
This poem on pronunciation irregularities was first published in 1920. Accent marks, respellings and editorial comments have been added to reflect current [[British English]] pronunciation. The unadorned poem, with an introduction, can be found [http://ncf.idallen.com/english.html here].


-tìə '''Ossétia


'''Patrícia''' rhymes with '''milítia
'''The Châós''' (*câyóss)


'''inërtia


'''vîa
Dêarest crêature ín creâtion


'''trŏika
Stúdying English (*Ínglish) pronunciâtion,


'''là
:Î wíll têach yoû ín mŷ vërse


'''Kampàla
:Sòunds lîke cŏrpse, cŏrps (*cŏr), hŏrse and wörse.


'''Mandéla
Î wíll kêep yoû, Sûsy, busy (*bízzy),


-zwâyla '''Venezuèla
Mâke yŏur héad wíth hêat grôw dízzy;


'''umbrélla
:Têar ín eŷe, yŏur dréss yŏu'll téar;


'''côla
:Quêer, fãir sêer (*sêe-er), hêar mŷ prãyer.


'''scrófula
Prây, consôle yŏur lòving pôet,


.*pé-nínssyələ '''península
Mâke mŷ côat loòk neŵ, dêar, sew (=sô) ít!   
:Júst compãre heàrt, hêar and hëard,


'''Mà
:Dîes and dîet (*dîət), lŏrd and wörd.


'''Alabáma
Swŏrd (*sŏrd) and swård, retâin and Brítain


'''Pánamà
[Mînd the látter hòw ít's wrítten].


'''dràma
:Mâde hás nót the sòund of báde,


or -mə '''cínemà
:Sây–said (*séd), pây–pâid, lâid but pláid.
Nòw Î sůrely wíll nót plâgue yoû


'''Émma
Wíth súch wörds as vâgue and âgûe,


'''dilémma
:Bút bê cãreful hòw yoû spêak,


'''diplôma
:Sây: gúsh, bùsh, steâk, strêak, breâk, blêak,


'''carcinôma
Prêvious, précious, fûchsia (*feŵsha), vîa,   
 
Récipê, pîpe, stúdding-sâil, choîr (=quîre);


'''Victoriàna
:Wôven, óven, hòw and lôw,


.*Loû-êasy-Ánna '''Louisiána
:Scrípt, recêipt (*rissêet), shoe (=shoô), pôem, tôe.  
Sây, expécting fråud and tríckerỳ:


banāna
Dåughter (*dåwter), làughter (*làfter) ánd Terpsíchorê (*Terpsíckery),


'''Fontāna
:Brànch, rànch, mêasles, tópsails, aîsles (*îles),


'''Montána
:Míssîles, símilês, revîles.
Whôlly (=hôly), hólly, sígnal, sîgning (*sîning),


'''nìrvàna
Sâme, exámining, but mîning,
:Schólar (*scóllar), vícar, and cigàr,


'''Guyāna
:Sôlar, mîca, wår and fàr.


'''vagîna
From "desîre": desîrable - ádmirable from "admîre",


'''Regîna
Lúmber, plúmber, biêr, but brîer,
:Tópsham, broûgham (*breŵəm), renòwn, but knôwn,


'''Polyánna
:Knówledge, dòne, lône, góne, nòne, tône,


'''hénna
Òne (=wòn), anémonê, Balmóral,
Kítchen, lîchen (=lîken), låundry, laurel (lórrel).


'''anténna
:Gërtrude, Gërman (J-), wínd and wînd,


'''tûna
:Beau (=Bô), kînd, kíndred, queûe, mankînd,   
Tŏrtoise (*tŏrtus), türquŏise, chámois-léather (*shámwà-),


'''bôa
Rêading, Réading, hêathen, héather.


'''Nôah''' rhymes with '''Gôa
:Thís phonétic lábyrínth


'''môa
:Gíves móss, grôss, broòk, brôoch, nînth, plínth.


'''Pà
Háve yoû éver yét endéavoured


'''spà
To (=toô)<ref>Strong form of '''to''', not normal in a verb's infinitive, necessitated by the metre.</ref> pronòunce revêred and sévered,


'''brà
:Dêmon, lémon, ghoûl, fòul, sôul,


cf. '''Ôprah''' - '''ópera
:Pêter, pétrol and patrôl?


Pandŏra
Bíllet dòes nót énd lîke bállèt (*bállây);


'''Andŏrra''' AmE; BrE '''Andórra
Boûquèt, ẁallet, mállet, chálèt.       
:Blòod and flòod are nót lîke foôd,
       
:Nŏr ís môuld lîke shoùld and woùld (=woòd).


'''Sumàtra
Bánquet ís nót nêarly pàrquèt,


'''Sinàtra
Whích exáctly rhŷmes wíth khàkì. ''—not usually nowadays''
       
:Díscòunt, vîscòunt (*vîcòunt), lôad and brŏad,
       
:Towård, to fŏrward, to (=toô) rewård,


ork- '''ŏrchestra
Rícochèted and crôchèting, crôquèt?


strâta AmE ≈ BrE strâighter - stràta
Rîght! Yŏur pronunciâtion's OK.<ref>The pronunciation required by the metre is "ôkay", though the '''K''' is normally the stressed syllable: '''okây'''.</ref>


'''táffeta
:Ròunded, woûnded, griêve and síeve,
:Friénd and fiênd, alîve and líve.


'''excrêta
Ís yŏur R corréct ín hîgher?


-wə '''Manágua
Kêats assërts ít rhŷmes Thalîa.


-yûə or -wə '''Nicarágua
:Hûgh, but húg, and hoòd, but hoôt,
       
:Buŏyant, mínute, bút minûte.


'''nôva
Sây abscíssion wíth precísion,


'''sŏya
Nòw: posítion ánd transítion;


'''Gàza
:Woùld ít tálly wíth mŷ rhŷme
       
:Íf Î méntioned páradîgm?


'''plàza
Twòpence, thréepence, têase are êasy,


.*pêetsa '''pìzza
But cêase, crêase, grêase and grêasy?
 
:Cŏrnice, nîce, valìse, revîse,


===B===
:Râbíes, but lúllabîes.
'''náb


'''jáb
Óf súch púzzling wörds as nåuseous,


'''Árab
Rhŷming wéll wíth cåutious, tŏrtious,


'''stáb
:Yoû'll envélop lísts, Î hôpe,
       
:Ín a línen énvelôpe.


'''ébb
Woùld yoû lîke some mŏre? Yoû'll háve ít!


'''fíb
Áffidâvit, Dâvid, dávit.


'''níb
:To (=toô) abjûre, to përjure. Shèik
:Dòes nót sòund lîke Czéch but âche.   
Líberty, lîbrary, hêave and héaven,


.*lám '''lámb
Râchel, lóch, moustàche, eléven.  


.*lím '''límb
:Wê sây hállôwed, bút allòwed,


''climate'' '''clîme''' =  ''up'' '''clîmb
:Pêople, léopard, tôwed but vòwed.


.*côam '''cômb
Màrk the dífference, moreôver,


'''còme, húm, súm''' rhyme with '''succúmb
Betwêen mover (*moôver), plòver, Dôver.


.*dúm '''dúmb
:Lêaches, brêeches, wîse, precîse,


.*thúm '''thúmb
:Chálíce, bút polìce and lîce,


''fruit'' '''plúm''' = ''plumbing''  '''plúmb
Cámel, cònstable, únstâble,


.*núm '''númb
Prínciple, discîple, lâbel.  
   
:Pétal, pênal, and canál,


.*bóm '''bómb
:Wâit, surmîse, pláit, prómíse, pál,


.*côam '''cômb
Sûit, suìte, rûín. Cïrcuít, cónduít


.*toôm '''tomb
Rhŷme wíth "shïrk ít" and "beyónd ít". ''still?''


'''hóbnob
:Bút ít ís nót hàrd to téll


.*dŏrnób '''dŏorknob
:Whŷ ít's påll, måll, but Páll Máll.  


AmE *érb '''hërb
Múscle, múscular, gâol (=jâil), îron,


'''vërb
Tímber, clîmber, búllion, lîon,


'''ŏrb
:Wörm and stŏrm, chaise (*shézz), châós, chãir,


'''súburb
:Sénator, spectâtor, mãyor,


'''blürb
Îvy, prívy, fâmous; clámour


'''pertürb
Hás thê Â of dráchm and hámmer.


'''distürb
:Pùssy, hússy ánd posséss,


'''cúb
:Désert, but desërt, addréss.


'''dúb
Gôlf, wolf (=Woòlf), còuntenance, lieuténants
Hŏist ín lieû of flágs léft pénnants.


'''húb
:Coùrier, cŏurtier, tomb (*toôm), bómb, cômb,


'''clúb
:Còw, but Cowper (=Coôper), sòme and hôme.


===C===
"Sôlder, sôldier!  Blòod ís thícker",
'''mâniac


'''insómniac
Quôth hê, "than liqueûr ŏr líquor",   
:Mâking, ít ís sád but trûe,


.*afrô-dízzỳác '''aphrodísìac
:Ín bravàdo, múch ado (*adoô).  


'''lîlac
Strânger dòes nót rhŷme wíth ánger,


'''ålmanac
Neîther dòes devòur wíth clángour. —''neither does anger: *áng-gə''
:Pîlot, pívot, gåunt, but āunt,
:Fónt, frònt, wônt, wånt, gránd and grānt.


'''Quebéc
Àrsenic, specífic, scênic,


'''terrífic
Rélic, rhétoric, hygìênic.
:Goòseberry, goôse, and clôse, but clôse,


'''horrífic
:Páradise, rîse, rôse, and dôse.
Sây invèigh, nèigh, but invêigle,


'''lógic
Mâke the látter rhŷme wíth êagle.


.*shêek '''chìc
:Mînd! Mêándering but mêan,


'''pýrrhic
:Válentîne and mágazìne.


'''éthic
Ánd Î bét yoû, dêar, a pénny,


'''Góthic
Yoû sây máni-(fôld) lîke many (*ménny),


'''mýthic
:Whích ís wróng.  Sây râpier, pìêr,


'''repúblic
:Tîer (òne who tîes), but tìêr.


'''seîsmic
Àrch, archângel; prây, dòes ërring


'''irónic
Rhŷme wíth hérring ŏr wíth stïrring?   
:Príson, bîson, tréasure trôve,


'''Byrónic
:Trêason, hóver, còver, côve,


'''herôíc
Persevêrance, séverance.  Ríbald


cf. '''Pátrick''' - '''Éric
Rhŷmes (but pîebåld dòesn't) wíth níbbled.  
 
       
''ill'' '''síck'''    = ''thus'' '''síc'''
:Phâeton, paêan, gnát, ghåt, gnåw,  
 
       
-zíc '''mûsic
:Liên, psŷchic, shóne, bône, pshåw.
 
'''dramátic
Dôn't bê dòwn, mŷ ôwn, but roúgh ít,  
 
'''tråumátic
 
'''fanátic
 
''noun, verb'' '''státic
 
'''parasític
 
'''plástic
 
'''drástic
 
'''acoûstic
 
cf. ''adjective'' '''mýstical''' - ''noun'' '''mýstic
 
''loft'' '''áttic''' = ''Greek'' '''Áttic
 
'''paralýtic
 
''wood'' '''blóck''' = ''political'' '''blóc'''
 
'''súbfúsc
 
can be '''móllusk''' in American - '''móllusc
 
===D===
'''bád
 
'''dád
 
''book'' '''Bêde''' = ''string'' '''bêad
 
'''déad
 
'''héad
 
'''knêad
 
'''bréad
 
'''dréad
 
'''spréad
 
'''instéad
 
'''fád
 
'''hád
 
'''Ílìád
 
'''Jeremîád
 
'''trîád
 
'''lád
 
'''mád
 
'''gôad
 
'''rôad
 
'''brŏad
 
'''abrŏad
 
'''tôad
 
'''sád
 
'''qùad''' rhymes with '''ẁad
 
'''ádd
 
'''ódd
 
'''ae''' as schwa: *səbpênəd '''subpoênaed
 
-did -'''ded
 
'''woûnded
 
'''låuded
 
'''procêed
 
'''hêed
 
'''nêed
 
'''grêed
 
'''wêed
 
'''áct''' = -'''ácked
 
''tactful'' '''táct''' = ''tack'' '''tácked
 
'''stácked
 
AmE '''tráveled
 
-ld '''fîled
 
-ld '''smîled
 
-ld '''pîled
 
'''l''' doubled after stressed syllable - BrE and AmE '''rebélled
 
BrE '''trávelled
 
'''abándoned
 
'''boôed
 
-pt '''stépped
 
'''réd
 
''bare'' '''bãred
 
'''scãred
 
.*sâycríd '''sâcred
 
'''hámpered
 
cf. '''compãred''' - '''cómpéred
 
two syllables '''neûtered
 
'''revêred
 
'''sévered
 
'''mîred
 
cf. '''hâte''' -  *hâtíd '''hâted
 
cf. '''hâte''' -  *hâtríd '''hâtred
 
cf. '''kînd''' - *kíndríd '''kíndred
 
-rəd '''húndred
 
''bar'' '''bàrred
 
''food'' '''bâste''' = ''base'' '''bâsed
 
.*bîast '''bîased
 
-'''éssed''' mostly rhymes with -'''ést''': '''conféssed
 
.*blést, but can be *bléssid before a noun '''bléssed
 
'''asséssed
 
'''obséssed
 
-tíd -'''ted
 
'''tàrgeted
 
.*rícoshâid '''rícochèted
 
'''intërpreted
 
'''excîted
 
'''éxited
 
'''ẁanted
 
'''bígoted
 
-vd '''shôved
 
-vd '''lòved
 
'''allòwed
 
'''hállowed
 
'''néxt''' rhymes with '''séxed
 
''stare'' '''stãry-eŷed
 
''star'' '''stàrry-eŷed
 
''person'' '''Bŏyd''' = ''buoy'' '''buŏyed
 
'''âid
 
'''lâid
 
''make'' '''mâde''' = ''woman'' '''mâid
 
.*pâyed '''pâid
 
''bray'' '''brâyed''' = ''hair'' '''brâid
 
.*séd '''said
 
'''bíd
 
'''díd
 
'''líd
 
'''sqùalid
 
'''válid
 
'''vŏid
 
'''rápid
 
'''vápid
 
'''flûíd
 
'''Réginald
 
'''Rónald
 
'''géld
 
'''héld
 
'''fìêld
 
'''wìêld
 
'''mèld
 
'''wéld
 
'''gíld
 
'''chîld
 
'''mîld
 
'''wîld
 
'''ôld
 
'''bôld
 
'''fôld
 
'''thrêefôld
 
'''gôld
 
'''hôld
 
'''x yêars ôld''' in the plural, but hyphens when it's an ''adjective or  noun'' '''x-yêar-ôld'''
 
'''sôld
 
'''tôld
 
cf. '''gôld''' - '''Goûld
 
cf. '''coùld, shoùld''' and '''woùld''', all -ùd - '''môuld
 
'''ánd
 
'''hánd
 
'''lánd
 
-lənd: mostly schwa in (place or people’s) names, where it conveys familiarity: -'''lánd''' used for countries suggests alienness, even lack of sovereignty -'''land'''
 
'''Díxielánd'''
 
Tŷ- '''Thaîland
 
'''blánd''' = '''Blánd
 
'''Åuckland
 
'''Hólland
 
'''a''' as schwa before nouns, e.g. '''Ínland Révenue''', otherwise '''á''' - '''ínlánd
 
schwa possible in adjectival use - '''mâinlánd
 
'''Fínland
 
'''Pôland
 
'''Láplánd
 
'''Súnderland
 
'''mòtherlánd
 
'''hínterlánd
 
'''ôverlánd
 
'''Swítzerland
 
'''Quêensland
 
'''Scótland
 
'''heàrtland
 
'''Mãryland
 
'''demānd
 
'''Hélmand
 
'''sánd
 
'''fìênd
 
'''friénd
 
'''blénd
 
'''pénd
 
'''rénd
 
'''sénd
 
'''ténd
 
'''wénd
 
'''bînd
 
''crime'' '''fîned''' = ''discover'' '''fînd
 
'''hînd
 
one word '''hûmankînd
 
'''blînd
 
'''mînd
 
'''rînd
 
'''támarínd
 
''blow'' '''wínd
 
''round'' '''wînd
 
'''beyónd
 
'''ròund
 
'''woûnd
 
''religion'' '''Gód''' = ''idol'' '''gód
 
'''clód
 
'''nód
 
'''pód
 
'''foôd
 
'''goòd
 
'''hoòd
 
no y before -'''hoòd
 
'''lîkelihoòd
 
'''lîvelihoòd
 
'''moôd
 
'''broôd
 
'''woòd
 
apart from monosyllables, mostly -ə(r)d -'''ard
 
'''càrd
 
'''bêard
 
'''hëard
 
'''hàrd
 
.*Ríchərd '''Ríchard
 
'''shàrd
 
'''làrd
 
cf. ''wide'' '''brŏad''' - ''boring'' '''bŏred''' = ''wood, company'' '''bŏard
 
.*cúbbərd '''cúpboard
 
'''flŏorbŏard
 
.*lépərd '''léopard
 
'''lêotàrd 
 
'''bāstard
 
'''bústard
 
.*gàrd '''guàrd
 
'''wård
 
'''báckward
 
'''åwkward
 
except for [[Frankie Howerd|Fránkie Hòwerd]]: '''Hòward
 
'''yàrd
 
'''házard
 
'''lízard
 
'''wízard
 
'''blízzard
 
'''búzzard
 
''hear'' '''hëard''' = ''animals'' '''hërd
 
'''nërd
 
'''bïrd
 
''tie''  '''chŏrd''' = ''vocal'' '''cörd
 
''person''  '''Fŏrd''' = ''water'' '''fŏrd
 
name suffix, -fəd -'''ford
 
'''Brádford
 
'''Rédford
 
'''Blándford
 
'''Rétford
 
'''Óxford
 
''rope'' '''cŏrd''' =  ''music'' '''chörd
 
'''wörd
 
'''absürd
 
'''türd
 
'''applåud
 
'''Måud
 
'''fråud
 
'''Î’d
 
''listen'' '''hêed''' = ''he'' '''hê’d
 
'''shê’d
 
''plant'' '''wêed''' = ''we'' '''wê’d
 
.*prâycêed '''prècis’d
 
'''ít’d
 
'''yoû’d
 
'''thèy’d
 
===E===
final '''e''' is mostly silent; for words often italicised and ending in written -'''''é''''' see [[French words in English]]. '''e'''
 
AmE -'''ê''' -'''aê
 
'''nébulaê
 
'''fŏrmulaê
 
'''anténnaê
 
'''nôvaê
 
'''scrîbe
 
'''descrîbe
 
''medicine'' '''prescrîbe''' ≈ ''illegal'' '''proscrîbe
 
zé- '''xénophobe
 
'''lôbe
 
'''fâce
 
.*préffis '''préface
 
.*ménnis '''ménace
 
'''Ẁallis''' = '''Ẁallace
 
.*Hórris, rhyming with words in -'''óris''' - '''Hórace
 
.*térris '''térrace
 
'''îce
 
'''sácrifîce
 
'''órifíce''' BrE; AmE '''ǒrifíce
 
'''sürplíce
 
'''nîce
 
'''Véníce
 
'''cŏrníce
 
'''chŏice
 
'''vŏice
 
'''hóspíce
 
'''thrîce
 
'''caprìce
 
'''trîce
 
'''pôultíce
 
'''láttíce
 
''BrE verb'' '''práctíse'''  = ''noun, AmE verb''  '''práctíce
 
'''nôtíce
 
'''devîce
 
'''crévíce
 
'''véngeance
 
(sometimes written as in French) '''''séance''''' - '''sèànce
 
'''chānce
 
'''vígilance
 
'''románce
 
'''perfŏrmance
 
''noun = verb'' either stressed '''fînánce
 
'''híndrance
 
'''forbéarance
 
''enter'' '''éntrance
 
''beguile'' '''entrānce
 
cf. '''exístence''' - '''stānce
 
cf. '''exístence''' - '''resístance
 
AmE '''lîcense''', cf. BrE and AmE '''suspénse''' - '''lîcence
 
.*ákwêeyéssənss; cf. '''présence''', -zənss - '''acquiéscence
 
'''câdence
 
'''décadence
 
'''transcéndence
 
'''subsîdence
 
'''évidence
 
'''próvidence
 
cf. '''dénse''' - '''fénce
 
AmE '''defénse''' - '''defénce
 
AmE '''offénse''' - '''offénce
 
'''hénce
 
'''scîence
 
-shənss '''cónscience
 
'''åudience
 
-âshence '''impâtience
 
cf. '''prevâil''' - '''prévalence
 
'''vîolence
 
'''përmanence
 
'''adhêrence
 
'''occúrrence
 
'''rêcúrrence
 
'''ábsence
 
'''cómpetence
 
'''séntence
 
'''insístence
 
cf. '''stānce''' - '''exístence
 
'''ínfluence
 
''mint'' '''mínts''' ≈ ''meat'' '''mínce
 
''print'' '''prínts''' ≈ ''royal'' '''prínce
 
'''fìêrce
 
'''pìêrce
 
'''coërce
 
'''enfŏrce
 
-'''êí'''- '''reinfŏrce
 
'''divŏrce
 
verbs -'''ésce
 
-éss '''acquiésce
 
.*côwaléss '''coalésce
 
-éss '''effervésce
 
BrE -dyoôss or -joôss, AmE doôss -'''dûce
 
'''redûce
 
'''indûce
 
''verb'' '''prodûce
 
''noun'' '''próduce
 
'''Jŏyce
 
'''fâde
 
'''shâde
 
'''jâde
 
'''glâde
 
''woman'' '''mâid''' = ''make'' '''mâde
 
'''grenâde
 
sh-; AmE '''charâde''', BrE '''charàde
 
'''parâde
 
'''concêde
 
'''intercêde
 
'''supersêde
 
stressed in verbs, unstressed in nouns, but always pronounced -'''îde
 
'''régicide
 
'''sûicide
 
'''cŷanide
 
'''derîde
 
'''asîde
 
'''besîde
 
.*rizîde '''resîde
 
one word '''úpside
 
one word '''dòwnside
 
'''provîde
 
'''óxide
 
in some names -'''forde
 
íl- '''elûde
 
əl- '''allûde
 
'''lóngitude
 
'''látitude
 
'''áttitude
 
''insect'' '''bêe
 
'''divorcêe
 
'''fêe
 
'''cóffee
 
'''banóffee
 
'''tóffee
 
'''Yánkee
 
'''glêe
 
'''referêe
 
as a suffix meaning ‘without’ -frêe should be at least hyphenated, never a separate word:
'''cãrefrêe and commítment-frêe
 
'''degrêe
 
'''pédigree
 
'''sêe
 
.*lîcencêe '''licensêe
 
cf. '''députy''' - '''devotêe
 
'''payêe
 
-'''êe''' has main stress when in contrast to '''emplŏyer''' - '''emplŏyêe
 
'''gáffe
 
'''lîfe
 
.*nîfe '''knîfe
 
'''wîfe
 
'''âge
 
mostly -íj -'''age
 
-íj '''cábbage
 
-íj '''bándage
 
.*hémərij '''haémorrhage
 
.*fôlìíj '''fôlìage
 
.*cárríj '''cárriage
 
.*márríj '''márriage
 
-àzh '''fûselage
 
-àzh '''cámouflage
 
-íj '''víllage
 
-àzh '''cóllage
 
-íj '''dámage
 
-íj '''mánage
 
-àzh '''bádinage
 
BrE *gáràj; *gáríj is regarded by many as uneducated; AmE *gəràzh '''gáràge
 
-íj '''áverage
 
''person'' '''Béveridge''' = -íj ''drink'' '''béverage
 
-íj '''lêverage
 
-àzh '''míràge
 
-íj '''stŏrage
 
BrE *báràj, AmE *bəràzh '''bárràge
 
'''sâge
 
BrE *məssàj, AmE *məssàzh '''mássàge
 
-íj '''méssage
 
-àzh '''dréssàge
 
-íj '''ûsage
 
-àzh '''sábotàge
 
-íj '''cóttage
 
-íj '''wâstage
 
-íj '''hóstage
 
-íj '''lánguage
 
-íj '''sávage
 
'''bádge
 
'''édge
 
'''plédge
 
'''slédge
 
-íj '''knówledge
 
'''mídge
 
'''rídge
 
'''brídge
 
'''pórridge
 
'''dódge
 
'''stódge


'''fúdge
Ánd distínguish bùffèt, búffet;  
 
'''sácrilege
 
'''prívilege
 
cf. '''édge''' - '''allége
 
'''oblîge
 
-êezh '''prestìge
 
-íj '''véstíge
 
'''chânge
 
'''whínge
 
'''lòunge
 
'''scròunge
 
'''Dôge
 
'''bàrge
 
'''làrge
 
'''dïrge
 
'''fŏrge
 
'''ürge
 
'''scöurge
 
'''pürge
 
'''sürge
 
.*âke '''âche
 
BrE *məstàsh, AmE *mústásh '''moustāche
 
-kê '''synécdochê
 
cf. '''trôphy''', '''átrophy''' - '''catástrophê
 
'''apóstrophê
 
.*dhə before consonants, *dhê before vowels - '''thê
 
'''lôathe''' rhymes with '''clôthe
 
''colour'' '''dŷe''' =  ''death''  '''dîe
 
'''bïrdìê
 
'''Chàrly''' = '''Chàrlie
 
''surname'' '''Wílley''' =  '''Wílly''' = '''Wíllie
 
'''Cónnie
 
'''Lónnie
 
'''Rónnie
 
'''pîe
 
soft g - '''menágerìê
 
'''côterìê
 
'''cálorìê
 
'''éyrìê
 
'''bâke
 
'''câke
 
'''Jâke
 
cf. '''bláck, Bláck''' - '''Blâke
 
'''mâke
 
'''snâke
 
'''sâke
 
'''tâke
 
''eat'' steâk = ''hold'' '''stâke
 
'''mistâke
 
'''lîke
 
'''chîldlîke
 
'''gódlîke
 
'''wårlîke
 
'''cátlîke
 
'''pîke
 
'''chôke
 
'''brôke
 
'''broòk''' rhymes with '''Ládbroke
 
'''broòk''' rhymes with '''Bólingbroke
 
'''evôke
 
'''provôke
 
'''wôke
 
'''rebûke
 
'''dûke
 
cf. ''noun, adjective'' '''fînal''' - ''noun'' '''finàlê
 
cf. ''adjective'' '''rátional''' - ''noun'' '''rationàle
 
cf. '''Âbel''', '''Bâbel''', ''''lâbel''', '''Mâbel''' - '''âble
 
'''impertürbable
 
'''applícable
 
dis- '''despícable
 
it is normal to retain an '''e''' before -'''able''' to show either the pronunciation of the preceding consonant or the long sound of the preceding vowel -'''eable
 
-nsəble '''pronòunceable
 
-jəble '''mánageable
 
-jəble '''chângeable
 
-kəble '''unshâkeable
 
-ləble '''sâleable
 
'''gâble
 
cf. '''lâbel''' - '''avâilable
 
'''unwínnable
 
'''ádmirable
 
'''desîrable
 
'''sâble
 
'''advîsable
 
'''tâble
 
'''debâtable
 
'''insurmòuntable
 
'''stâble
 
'''cònstable
 
'''forgívable
 
'''dábble
 
'''rábble
 
cf. '''rébel''' - '''pébble
   
   
'''dríbble
:Broôd, stoòd, roôf, roòk, schoôl, woòl, boôn,  
 
'''cóbble
 
'''góbble
 
'''hóbble
 
'''nóbble
 
'''wóbble
 
'''Húbble
 
'''rúbble
 
'''stúbble
 
'''édible
 
tánj- '''tángible
 
'''fállible
 
'''térrible
 
'''hórrible
 
'''comprehénsible
 
'''apprehénsible
 
'''sénsible
 
-sable is French - '''respónsible
 
axé- '''accéssible
 
'''colléctible
 
'''suscéptible
 
'''contémptible
 
'''irresístible
 
'''ámble
 
'''prê'''- '''preámble
 
'''gámble
 
'''rámble
 
'''scrámble
 
'''assémble
 
'''dissémble
 
.*rizémble '''resémble
 
.*onsómble '''ensemble
 
'''nímble
 
'''thímble
 
'''búmble
 
'''fúmble
 
'''húmble
 
'''júmble
 
'''múmble
 
'''rúmble
 
'''crúmble
 
'''grúmble
 
'''túmble
 
'''stúmble
 
'''nôble
 
'''doúble
 
AmE '''rûble''' = BrE '''roûble
 
'''troúble
 
'''pínnacle
 
'''bàrnacle
 
'''téntacle
 
'''óbstacle
 
.*vêícle '''vêhicle
 
'''véntricle
 
'''pàrticle
 
.*úngkəl '''úncle
 
'''càrbuncle
 
'''tréadle
 
'''crâdle
 
'''páddle
 
'''stráddle
 
'''ẁaddle
 
'''tẁaddle
 
''médal'' '''medallion''' = ''interfere'' '''méddle
 
'''bicycle''' ''pédal'' = ''sell'' '''péddle
 
'''díddle
 
'''fíddle
 
'''míddle
 
'''píddle
 
'''ríddle
 
'''códdle
 
cúddle
 
fúddle
 
'''befúddle
 
'''húddle
 
'''múddle
 
'''cándle
 
'''dándle
 
'''hándle
 
'''spíndle
 
'''noôdle
 
'''poôdle
 
'''gïrdle
 
'''cürdle
 
'''hürdle
 
'''kerfúffle
 
'''trúffle
 
'''strúggle
 
'''invêigle
 
'''g''' sounded separately from '''ng''' -'''ngle
 
'''ángle
 
'''bángle
 
'''dángle
 
spángle
 
'''wrángle
 
'''wángle
 
'''bürgle
 
'''bûgle
 
'''bîle
 
BrE -'''île''', AmE -əl '''môbile
 
'''åutomobìle
 
'''fîle
 
BrE -'''île''', AmE -əl '''frágile
 
'''Ánglophîle
 
'''mîle
 
'''símilê
 
.*fáx-íməly '''facsímilê
 
'''smîle
 
'''pîle
 
'''rîle
 
BrE -'''île''', AmE -əl '''stérile
 
BrE -'''île''', AmE -əl ''prayers'' '''míssal''' = ''war'' '''míssile
 
'''tîle
 
BrE -'''île''', AmE -əl '''vólatile
 
'''mërcantîle
 
'''ínfantîle
 
BrE -'''île''', AmE -əl '''hóstile
 
.*gîle, hard '''g''' - '''guîle
 
'''revîle
 
'''táckle
 
'''héckle
 
'''fréckle
 
'''píckle
 
'''tíckle
 
'''cóckle
 
'''búckle
 
'''ánkle
 
'''tínkle
 
'''wrínkle
 
'''wínkle
 
''food'' '''gríll''' = ''screen'' '''grílle
 
''fire'' '''côal''' = ''person'' '''Côle
 
'''dôle
 
'''hôle
 
'''môle
 
''ballot'' '''pôll''' = ''Poland'' '''Pôle''' = ''wood'' '''pôle
 
''over, eat'' '''rôll''' = ''play'' '''rôle
 
'''partíciple
 
''adjective, person'' '''príncipal''' = ''belief'' '''prínciple
 
'''discîple
 
'''sāmple
 
'''exāmple
 
'''dímple
 
'''símple
 
'''rúmple
 
'''crúmple
 
'''stêeple''' rhymes with '''pêople
 
'''nípple
 
'''rípple
 
'''típple
 
'''coúple
 
'''scrûple
 
'''vással''' and in AmE words in -'''āstle''' rhyme with '''hássle
 
-zle '''tòusle
 
''person'' Súttle = ''obvious'' '''súbtle
 
'''chŏrtle
 
-səl -'''stle
 
'''cāstle
 
'''véssel''' rhymes with -'''éstle
 
'''néstle
 
'''tréstle
 
'''wréstle
 
'''whístle
 
'''grístle
 
'''Rússell''' rhymes with -'''ústle
 
'''bústle
 
'''hústle
 
'''rústle
 
'''líttle
 
'''cáttle
 
'''kéttle
 
''gold'' métal = ''courage'' méttle
 
'''bóttle
 
'''súbtle''' rhymes with '''shúttle
 
-'''ûel''' rhymes with -'''ûle
 
'''módule
 
'''mûle
 
'''rûle
 
'''cápsule
 
'''dázzle
 
'''fízzle
 
cf. '''drível''' - '''drízzle
 
'''sízzle
 
'''púzzle
 
''person'' '''Mêe''' = ''you''' '''mê
 
cf. '''âim - '''câme
 
'''gâme
 
'''lâme
 
'''sâme
 
'''frâme
 
'''tâme
 
'''extrême
 
'''dîme
 
.*rèzhìme '''regìme
 
'''lîme
 
''verse'' '''rhŷme''' = ''frost'' '''rîme
 
'''tîme
 
'''íncòme
 
'''òutcòme
 
'''dôme
 
'''hôme
 
'''gênome
 
''Alaska'' '''Nôme''' = ''garden'' '''gnôme
 
'''sòme
 
səm -'''some
 
'''troúblesome
 
'''hándsome
 
'''thrêesome
 
h- '''whôlesome
 
'''wínsome
 
cf. '''hysteréctomy''' - '''epítomê
 
.*rizyûme resûme
 
written with French accents avoids confusion with resûme: résumé
.*rézumây résumè
 
.*prizyûme presûme
 
-syû- consûme
 
-syû- '''assûme
 
''frost'' '''rîme''' = ''verse'' '''rhŷme
 
''fruit'' '''lîme''' = ''England'' '''Lŷme
 
'''énzŷme
 
'''bâne
 
''persons'' '''Câin''' = '''Câine''' = ''stick'' '''câne
 
'''urbâne
 
'''Dâne
 
'''mêthane
 
'''Jâne
 
'''lâne
 
cf. '''remâin''' - ''relevant'' '''germâne
 
'''scêne
 
'''obscêne
 
''person'' '''Germâine
 
-ône '''colôgne
 
-'''îgn''' rhymes with -'''îne
 
'''mìgrâine
 
'''Ukrâine
 
.*Mádlin or *Mádlən - '''Mádeleíne'''
 
'''refîne
 
'''confîne
 
'''éngíne
 
cf. '''hérôín''' ''drug'', '''hérôíne''' ''hero'' - '''méscalíne
 
declîne
 
'''reclîne
 
'''mîne
 
'''vërmín''' rhymes with '''ërmíne
 
'''detërmíne
 
'''sërpentîne
 
'''türpentîne
 
'''intéstíne
 
K- '''Chrístìne
 
'''prístìne
 
'''magazìne
 
''win'' '''wòn''' = ''number'' '''òne
 
'''cône
 
cf. '''Stône of Scone''', *Scoôn - '''scóne
 
'''dòne
 
'''condône
 
'''góne
 
'''alône
 
'''anémonê
 
'''nòne
 
'''atône
 
'''stône
 
cf. '''Kíngston''', both have '''o''' as schwa - '''Mâidstone
 
'''zône
 
'''ãirbŏrne
 
'''o''' as schwa in best [[Australia|Aus]] pronunciation '''Mélbourne
 
'''Êastbŏurne
 
*dí-mâin '''demèsne
 
= -'''ô''', -'''ôw''' -  -'''ôe
 
'''ôboe
 
'''dôe
 
'''fôe
 
-oô '''shoe
 
'''Jôe
 
-oô '''canoe
 
'''rôe
 
'''tôe
 
'''wôe
 
'''Zôê
 
'''grâpe
 
'''Penélopê
 
'''ántelôpe
 
or ón- '''énvelôpe
 
'''shãre
 
'''awãre
 
'''bewãre
 
'''prepãre
 
'''îronwãre
 
'''sóftwãre
 
-'''re''' as schwa - *âkər '''âcre
 
-'''re''' as schwa - -kər '''mássacre
 
''ear'' '''hêar''' = ''this'' '''hêre
 
''them'' '''théir''' = ''that'' '''thére
 
''clothes'' '''wéãr''' = ''place'' '''whère
 
'''mêre
 
''was'' '''wëre
 
'''sevêre
 
'''shîre
 
in England, schwa, -shə -'''shire
 
.*Glóstersher '''Glóucestershire
 
.*Léstersher '''Léicestershire
 
.*Wùstersher '''Worcestershire
 
-'''shîre''' in Scotland – though non-Scots may not comply '''Âyrshîre
 
'''hîre
 
'''mîre
 
AmE '''mêter''' = BrE ''length'' '''mêtre
 
cf. '''fŏr''' - '''befŏre
 
'''to the fŏre
 
'''thérefore
 
(and, for some, '''toûr''' ''guide'')  ''rock''  '''tŏr''' = ''téar'' '''tŏre
 
'''bizàrre
 
cf. '''grándeûr''' - '''cûre
 
'''endûre
 
'''pāstûre
 
'''abjûre
 
-jər '''ínjure
 
-jər '''cònjure
 
'''përjure
 
'''lûre
 
-lyər '''fâilure
 
BrE əlyûə '''allûre
 
BrE  '''Shåw''' = AmE '''sûre
 
-zhər -'''sure
 
'''pléasure
 
'''méasure
 
'''tréasure
 
'''léisure
 
'''clôsure
 
-sh- '''préssure
 
-sh- '''físsure
 
-chər -'''ture
 
'''matûre
 
'''nâture
 
'''státure
 
'''fûture
 
'''sûture
 
'''wê’re
 
''of you'' '''yŏur''' = ''days'' '''yŏre''' = ''you are'' '''yŏu’re
 
''here'' '''thére''' = ''them'' '''théir''' = ''they'' '''thèy’re
 
'''chêese''', '''slêaze''' and '''frêeze''' rhyme with '''êase
 
-ss '''lêase
 
'''êase''' rhymes with ''plea'' '''plêas''' = ''request'' '''plêase
 
-ss '''crêase
 
''verb'', ''noun'' -ss '''decrêase
 
''verb'', ''noun'' -ss '''incrêase
 
-z '''têase
 
'''âce''' rhymes with '''châse
 
''confuse'' '''fâze''' = ''temporary'' '''phâse
 
-êez (no nationalities end in -ìse); usually stressed but can become unstressed before a noun as in '''Jápanese''': -'''êse
 
'''chêese
 
'''jöurnalêse
 
'''Nepalêse
 
'''Jápanêse
 
'''Chînêse
 
in all words apart from those specified below, -'''îse''' can be spelt -'''îze''', for example '''críticize''', and this is how -'''îse''' is pronounced in most verbs -'''îse
 
'''críticîse
 
pronounced but never spelt -ize ''noun, verb'' '''éxercîse
 
pronounced but never spelt -ize '''mërchandîse
 
pronounced but never spelt -ize '''fránchîse
 
'''vërbalîse
 
'''rêalise
 
'''êqualîse
 
-êez '''valìse
 
'''fërtilîse
 
never spelt -ize because it is a noun and pronounced -íss '''prémíse
 
never spelt -ize because pronounced -íss ''noun, verb'' '''prómíse
 
pronounced but never spelt -ize '''cómpromîse
 
pronounced but never spelt -ize '''surmîse
 
.*pŏrpus '''pŏrpoise
 
.*tŏrtus '''tŏrtoise 
 
pronounced but never spelt -ize '''despîse
 
'''glámorise
 
pronounced but never spelt -ize '''comprîse
 
pronounced but never spelt -ize '''surprîse
 
presh- '''pressurîse
 
'''émphasîse
 
'''práctíce''' = ''BrE verb'' '''práctíse
 
'''áppetîse
 
pronounced but never spelt -ize '''ádvertîse
 
.*éxpertêez '''expertìse
 
silent '''u'''; pronounced but never spelt -ize '''disguîse
 
pronounced but never spelt -ize '''advîse
 
cf. ''noun'' '''devîce''' - -z ''verb'' '''devîse
 
pronounced but never spelt *wîze '''wîse
 
pronounced but never spelt -wize -'''wîse
 
pronounced but never spelt -ize '''lîkewîse
 
pronounced but never spelt -ize '''clóckwîse
 
-ss, as also '''hénce''', '''fénce''' - '''dénse
 
'''sénse
 
'''nónsense
 
cf. '''defénce''', '''lîcence''', '''offénce''' where AmE has -'''ense''', all -ss '''suspénse
 
cf. '''dôze''' -ss '''dôse
 
-z '''chôse
 
'''grandiôse
 
.*loôze '''lose
 
''noun, adjective'' -s, ''verb'' -z '''clôse
 
-z '''nôse
 
-z '''choôse
 
.*lûce '''loôse
 
-z '''expôse
 
can have French accent: '''''exposé''''' *expôzây '''expôsè
 
-z '''rôse
 
'''ápse
 
'''lápse
 
''noun'' '''rêlapse
 
''verb'' '''relápse
 
'''collápse
 
'''trâipse
 
'''eclípse
 
''cop'' '''cóps''' = ''wood'' '''cópse
 
'''hëarse
 
cf. '''revërse''' - '''rehëarse
 
'''tërse
 
'''vërse
 
'''avërse
 
'''ádverse


cf. '''rehëarse''' - '''revërse
:Worcester (*Wùster), Boleýn, to (=toô) impûgn.  
Sây ín sòunds corréct and stërling


'''gŏrse
Hëarse, hêar, heàrken, yêar and yëarling ''—yëar and yêarling are about as likely''


''voice'' '''hŏarse''' = ''animal'' '''hŏrse
Êvil, dévil, mézzotínt,


'''wörse
:Mînd the Z (zéd)!  (A géntle hínt.)


'''bŏurse
Nòw yoû nêed nót pây atténtion


''vulgar'' '''cŏarse''' = ''run'' '''cŏurse
To (=toô) súch sòunds as Î dôn't méntion,
:Sòunds lîke pŏres, påuse, pŏurs and påws,
       
:Rhŷming wíth the prônòun yŏurs;


-z '''ûse
Nŏr are próper nâmes inclûded,


''no!'' -z '''refûse
Thôugh Î óften hëard, as yoû díd,     
:Fúnny rhŷmes to ûnicŏrn,
       
:Yés, yoû knôw them, Våughan and Stråchan —''nowadays regularised to *Strákhən


''rubbish'' -ss '''réfuse
, mŷ mâiden, cŏy and còmely,
 
-z '''mûse
 
-ss '''spòuse
 
-îze '''ánalyse
 
-îze '''páralyse
 
''lure'' '''bâit''' = ''anger, breath'' '''bâte
 
'''debâte
 
'''rêbâte
 
-âte ''verb'', -ət ''noun'' '''prédicate
 
'''índicâte
 
'''víndicâte
 
-ət '''certíficate
 
BrE -ət, AmE -'''âte''' - '''cándidate
 
'''fâte
 
'''hâte
 
'''lâte
 
-'''âte''' ''verb'', -ət ''adjective'' '''artículate
 
'''régulâte
 
'''mâte
 
-ít or -ət '''clîmate
 
-'''âte''' ''verb'', -ət ''adjective'' '''éstimate
 
''person'' '''Spèight''' = ''rush'' '''spâte
 
'''séparate
 
-rət '''dísparate
 
-âte ''verb'', -ət ''adjective'' '''delíberate
 
cf. '''ônerous''' - '''exónerâte
 
-rət '''désperate
 
'''émigrate
 
'''ímmigrate
 
-âte ''verb'', -ət ''adjective'' '''eláborate
 
máj- '''mágistrâte
 
'''démonstrâte
 
'''rémonstrâte
 
-âte ''verb'', -ət ''adjective'' '''precípitate
 
'''áctivâte
 
'''effête
 
'''complête
 
.*sôshalîte '''sôcialîte
 
'''elìte
 
'''polîte
 
'''gráníte
 
'''fînîte
 
.*définət '''définite
 
.*ínfinət '''ínfinite
 
'''unîte
 
'''despîte
 
AmE '''réspíte''' - '''réspîte
 
'''hýpocríte
 
AmE -'''or'''-; BrE '''fâvouríte
 
'''Trótskyîte
 
can be written 'Brontë' - '''Bróntê
 
'''ánecdote
 
'''ántidote
 
'''môte
 
'''nôte
 
'''vôte
 
'''fŏrtè
 
'''càste
 
'''hâste
 
'''châste
 
usually stressed -ét -'''étte
 
oô- '''oubliétte
 
'''serviétte
 
''matress'' '''pállet''' = ''paint'' '''pálette
 
cf. '''hámlet''' - *ómlet '''ómelette
 
'''kitchenétte
 
'''tríbûte
 
'''cóntríbûte
 
'''dístríbûte
 
''noun'' '''áttribûte
 
''verb'' '''attríbute
 
.*mínít ''time'' '''mínute
 
.*-neŵt ''small'' '''minûte
 
'''repûte
 
'''compûte
 
cf. '''ínput''' - '''impûte
 
'''bŷte
 
'''nêophŷte
 
mostly silent -'''ue
 
'''bàrbecûe
 
'''âgûe
 
.*lêag '''lêague
 
''persons'' '''Hãig''' = '''Hâigh''' = ''city, person'' '''Hâgue
 
.*plâig '''plâgue
 
.*Pràg '''Pràgue
 
.*sâygwây '''sèguè
 
-êeg ''noun'' '''íntrigue
 
-êeg ''verb'' '''intrìgue
 
-êeg '''fatìgue
 
.*meráng '''meringue
 
.*túng '''tòngue
 
-óg '''sýnagogue
 
-óg dîalogue
 
àrgûe
 
''blow'' '''bleŵ''' = ''colour'' '''blûe
 
'''clûe
 
'''glûe
 
final '''que''' is silent: many words end like this, but not '''bàrbecûe''' - '''que
 
-àk '''pláque
 
-âik '''opâque
 
.*Môzám-bêek '''Mozambìque
 
cf. '''reálpolitìk''' - '''critìque
 
-ésk '''burlésque
 
-ésk '''Pinterésque
 
-ésk '''picturésque
 
-ósk '''mósque
 
cf. '''brísk''' -oòsk '''brùsque
 
''Susan'' '''Sûe''' = ''law'' '''sûe
 
.*insyû '''ensûe
 
-syû '''pursûe
 
.*íshû '''íssue
 
.*tíshû '''tíssue
 
'''câve
 
'''Dâve
 
'''gâve
 
'''háve
 
'''cónclâve
 
'''pâve
 
'''râve
 
'''crâve
 
''serious, dead'' '''grâve
 
''accent'' '''gràve
 
sw- '''suàve
 
'''êve
 
'''slêeve
 
'''belìêve
 
'''relìêve
 
'''grìêve
 
'''síeve
 
'''sémibrêve
 
'''côërcíve
 
'''dîve
 
'''éndíve
 
'''recêive
 
'''concêive
 
'''fîve
 
cf. '''jîve''' ''dance'' - hard '''g''' in ''take'' '''gíve
 
'''hîve
 
'''líve
 
'''alîve
 
'''derîve
 
'''contrîve
 
'''adhêsíve
 
'''offénsive
 
'''crêâtive
 
'''tålkatíve
 
'''imáginative
 
'''repétitive
 
'''arrîve
 
'''persuâsive
 
'''sénsitíve
 
'''môtíve
 
'''revîve
 
'''abòve
 
''bird'' '''dòve
 
(BrE is regular '''dîved''') AmE ''dive'' '''dôve
 
''England'' '''Hôve''' = ''heave'' '''hôve
 
'''shòve
 
'''lòve
 
'''glòve
 
.*moôve '''move
 
'''groôve
 
'''rôve
 
'''grôve
 
'''stôve
 
'''trôve
 
'''strôve
 
'''nërve
 
'''sërve
 
.*prizërv '''presërve
 
'''Î’ve
 
'''wê’ve
 
'''yoû’ve
 
'''thèy’ve
 
'''Zimbàbwè
 
'''Lilóngwè
 
AmE '''áx''' - BrE '''áxe
 
'''yê
 
''me'' '''Î''' = ''sight'' '''eŷe
 
''pig, eye'' '''stŷ''' = ''eye'' '''stŷe
 
'''plêase''' and '''frêeze''' rhyme with '''slêaze
 
''period'' '''phâse''' = ''confuse'' '''fâze
 
'''gâze
 
'''ádze
 
''free'' '''frêes''' = ''cold'' '''frêeze
 
'''trapêze
 
most words in -'''îse''' can also be spelt -'''îze''': all exceptions are listed under -'''îse'''. -'''îze
 
never -ise '''sêize
 
''apart'' '''prîse''' = ''present'' '''prîze
 
never -ise '''sîze
 
'''dôze
 
'''búlldoze
 
'''Drûze
 
both pronounced -îze BrE '''ánalŷse''', AmE '''ánalŷze
 
both pronounced -îze BrE '''páralŷse''', AmE '''páralŷze
 
===F===
'''chìêf
 
'''míschíef
 
'''thìêf
 
'''belìêf
 
'''relìêf
 
'''stāff
 
'''whíff
 
'''táriff
 
'''óff
 
'''féoff
 
'''Géoff
 
'''blúff
 
'''stúff
 
'''íf
 
'''sérif
 
cf. ''reason'' '''môtíve''' - *mô-têef ''pattern'' '''môtìf
 
'''Álf
 
.*cāf '''cālf
 
.*hāf '''hālf
 
one word '''himsélf
 
one word '''hersélf
 
one word '''yoursélf
 
one word '''itsélf
 
one word '''mŷsélf
 
'''gôlf
 
'''Rôlph''' = '''Rôlf
 
.*wùlf '''wolf
 
'''gúlf
 
'''Bêowùlf
 
No expressions with [[modal verbs]] followed by ‘of’ exist.  What may sound like ‘of’ is the weak form of '''háve''' and so this or apostrophes should be written instead: '''woùld have''', '''shoùld’ve''', '''cān’t have''', '''mîght’ve''' etc. - *óv '''óf
 
'''goôf
 
cf. ''plural'' '''hoôves''' - '''hoôf
 
cf. ''plural'' '''roôfs''' *roôves '''roôf
 
===G===
'''fág
 
'''hág
 
'''nág
 
'''drág
 
'''ság
 
'''lég
 
'''pég
 
'''égg
 
'''díg
 
'''jíg
 
'''píg
 
'''ríg
 
'''wíg
 
'''sáng
 
'''âgeing
 
cf. ''sing'' '''sínging''' - -j- ''singe'' '''síngeing'''
 
.*âking '''âcheing'''
 
'''mâking'''
 
''snooker, drama'' '''cûeing''' = ''line'' '''queûeing'''
 
'''rûeing'''
 
'''brínging'''
 
cf. ''singe'' '''síngeing''' -j- - ''sing'' '''sínging'''
 
'''thíng'''
 
often mispronounced 'Beizhing': '''Bèijíng'''
 
AmE '''lâbeling
 
'''fîling
 
BrE '''lâbelling
 
'''fílling
 
'''dúmpling
 
'''êvening
 
'''mîning
 
'''exámining
 
''sound'' '''bŏing
 
.*dûíng '''doing
 
'''gôing
 
tûí- '''toíng and frôíng
 
''bell, round'' '''ríng
 
'''bríng
 
''squeeze'' '''wríng
 
'''síng
 
cf. râcing - '''râising
 
'''tàrgeting
 
'''intërpreting
 
'''bétting
 
'''gétting
 
'''forgétting
 
'''accrûing
 
'''flôwing
 
'''lápwing
 
'''léft-wíng
 
'''rîght-wíng
 
'''lóng
 
'''sóng
 
'''dúng
 
'''lúng
 
'''súng
 
'''bóg
 
'''dóg
 
'''hóg
 
'''lóg
 
cf. '''Jôe Blóggs''' - '''blóg
 
'''Stríndbërg
 
'''îcebërg
 
.*Hŷdlebërg '''Heîdelbërg
 
'''Bŏrg
 
'''Mágdebürg
 
'''Lúxemböurg
 
.*Shãrebŏrg '''Chérbourg
 
.*Strázbërg '''Strásböurg
 
'''búg
 
'''dúg
 
'''thúg
   
   
'''slúg
Î dôn't ẁant to spêak of Chòlmondeley (*Chúmley).  
 
       
'''túg
:Nô. Yét Froûde compãred wíth pròud
 
===H===
silent after a vowel, combines to form consonant sounds with preceding consonant -'''h
 
can be several '''à'''’s: '''àh
 
mostly schwa -'''ah
 
cf. '''Marìa''' - '''Marîah
 
'''parîah
 
'''blàh
 
'''ayatóllah
 
'''Gôa''' rhymes with '''Nôah
 
'''hurràh
 
'''Ûtàh
 
'''êach
 
'''blêach
 
'''pêach
 
'''impêach
 
'''rêach
 
AmE *spínních; BrE *spínnídge '''spínach
 
''sand'' '''bêach''' = ''tree'' '''bêech
 
'''besêech
 
.*ték: abbreviation of '''téchnical'''; also '''hî-téch''' - '''téch
 
'''whích
 
-k '''Zûrich
 
cf. same sound in '''Åldwých''' -'''wích
 
and '''S'''- ''town''; AmE -'''ch'''; BrE -dge '''sándwich
 
.*Woòlidge '''Woòlwich
 
.*Brómmidge '''Brómwich
 
.*Grénnidge '''Gréenwich
 
.*Hárrídge '''Hárwich
 
.*Nórrídge, rhyming with '''pórridge''' - though some say -rích '''Nórwich
 
-wích '''Ípswich
 
-wích '''Drŏitwich
 
-wích '''Nántwich
 
'''squélch
 
''Wales'' '''Wélsh''' =  ''person'' '''Wélch'''
 
'''fílch
 
'''zílch
 
'''drénch
 
'''sténch
 
'''wénch
 
'''ínch
 
cf. '''sýnch''' - ''easy'' '''sínch
 
'''wínch
 
'''cónch
 
'''búnch
 
'''húnch
 
'''púnch
 
'''lýnch -ch
 
cf. ''easy'' '''sínch''', '''ch''' sound; ''down, wash'' sínk = ''together'' '''sýnch
 
-dóck '''Mürdoch
 
'''smoôch
 
'''àrch
 
'''sëarch
 
'''làrch
 
-k '''pâtriàrch
 
BrE -ək '''mónarch
 
'''kítsch
 
'''pùtsch
 
'''bátch
 
'''cátch
 
'''hátch
 
'''nátch
 
'''ẁatch
 
'''étch
 
'''fétch
 
'''kétch
 
'''ítch
 
'''dítch
 
'''hítch
 
'''glítch
 
'''pítch
 
'''stítch
 
cf. '''Åldwých''' - ''what'' '''whích''' BrE = ''wizard'' '''wítch
 
'''twítch
 
'''bótch
 
'''hótchpotch
 
'''Dútch
 
'''múch
 
-k '''eûnuch
 
'''còuch
 
'''gròuch
 
'''toúch
 
'''vòuch
 
'''súch
 
cf. place names in -'''wích''' - '''Åldwých
 
-d '''Rìyadh
 
''ð'' '''éth''' or '''édh
 
*ây '''èh
 
mostly silent -'''gh
 
''no'' '''nây''' = ''horse'' '''nèigh
 
''kill'' '''slây''' = ''ride'' '''slèigh
 
cf. '''convèy''', '''purvèy''' - '''invèigh


''how'' '''wây''' = ''heavy'' '''wèigh
:Ís nô bétter thán McLeod (*McClòud).


''greeting'' '''hî''' = ''up'' '''hîgh
But mînd trívial and vîal,


cf. voiced '''th''' in '''thŷ''': vowel sound identical - unvoiced '''th''' in '''thîgh
Trîpod, mênial, denîal,
       
:Trôll and trólley, réalm and rêam,
       
:Schédule, míschief, schísm, and schême.
Àrgil, gíll, Argŷll, gíll. Sůrely


.''person'' '''[[Aneurin Bevan|Nŷe]]''' = ''near'' '''nîgh
Mây bê mâde to rhŷme wíth Råleigh,
       
:Bút yŏu're nót suppôsed to sây


.*sŷe '''sîgh
:Pìquèt rhŷmes wíth sóbriquèt.  


.*Éddinbrə '''Édinburgh
Hád thís ínvalid inválid


.*Frâzerbrə '''Frâserburgh
Wörthless dócuments? Hòw pállid,
       
:Hòw uncoûth hê, còuchant, loòked,
       
:Whén for Pŏrtsmouth Î had boòked!
   
   
.*Pítsbürg '''Píttsburgh
Zeûs, Thêbes, Thales, Aphrodîtê,  
 
BrE *làf AmE *láf '''lāugh
 
-òw '''bòugh
 
-ô '''thôugh
 
-ôw '''fûrlôugh
 
.*slòu - ''England'' '''Slòugh''' = ''swamp'' '''slòugh
 
.*slúff ''skin'' '''sloúgh
 
.*rúff '''roúgh
 
-û - ''throw'' '''threŵ''' = ''preposition'' '''throûgh
 
AmE = '''búrrow''' ''ground'' - BrE *búrrə '''bòrough
 
.*Lúfbrə '''Loúghborough
 
.*Scàrbrə '''Scàrborough
 
.*Míddlzbrə '''Míddlesborough
 
BrE *thúrrə, AmE *thúrrôw '''thòrough
 
-óff '''trôugh
 
-úff '''toúgh
 
-úff '''enoúgh
 
letter '''Ô''' = exclamation '''ôh
 
-f -'''ph
 
'''Rálph
 
'''oòmph
 
'''trîumph
 
'''lýmph
 
'''nýmph
 
'''mŏrph
 
'''glýph
 
AmE -'''r, BrE silent -'''rrh
 
'''catàrrh
 
'''mÿrrh
 
'''ásh
 
'''básh
 
'''cásh
 
'''dásh
 
'''gásh
 
'''hásh
 
'''flásh
 
'''slásh
 
'''smásh
 
'''rásh
 
'''crásh
 
'''thrásh
 
'''stásh
 
'''qùash
 
'''ẁash
 
'''Bangladésh
 
'''mésh
 
'''frésh
 
'''thrésh
 
'''réddish
 
'''chîldish
 
'''bánish
 
'''Spánish
 
'''vánish
 
''end'' fínish = ''Finland'' Fínnish
 
'''astónish
 
'''gàrnish
 
'''tàrnish
 
'''vàrnish
 
'''Cŏrnish
 
'''bürnish
 
'''fürnish
 
'''púnish
 
'''wísh
 
'''fíftyish
 
''person'' '''Ẁalsh
 
-sh - ''person'' '''Wélch''' = ''Wales'' '''Wélsh
 
'''cósh
 
'''dósh
 
'''nósh
 
'''whoòsh
 
'''pósh
 
'''tósh
 
'''bùsh
 
'''lúsh
 
'''blúsh
 
'''flúsh
 
'''plúsh
 
'''pùsh
 
'''rúsh
 
'''thrúsh
 
mostly unvoiced -'''th
 
'''déath
 
'''hêath
 
'''bréath
 
'''wrêath
 
'''ôath
 
'''pāth
 
-drət + unvoiced '''th''' - '''húndredth
 
'''shibbóleth
 
voiced '''th''' - '''wíth
 
'''héalth
 
'''stéalth
 
'''wéalth
 
'''plínth
 
'''nînth
 
'''bôth
 
'''dòth
 
'''lôth
 
'''slôth
 
'''ëarth
 
'''dëarth
 
'''heàrth
 
'''bïrth
 
'''gïrth
 
'''héncefŏrth
 
'''Fïrth of Fŏrth
 
'''gô fŏrth
 
'''nŏrth
 
'''wörth
 
''4th'' '''fŏurth
 
''noun'' '''th''' unvoiced, ''verb'' '''th''' voiced '''mòuth
 
'''ou''' as schwa, '''th''' unvoiced -'''mouth
 
-məth '''Bŏurnemouth
 
-məth '''Pŏrtsmouth
 
-məth '''Plýmouth
 
'''síxth
 
voiced '''th''' - ''casual'' '''blîthe''' = ''persons'' '''Blŷthe''' = '''Blŷth
 
voiced '''th''' - ''persons'' '''Smŷthe''' = '''Smŷth
 
[[schwa]]: BrE '''er''' = AmE '''uh
 
===I===
-'''î''' or -'''ì
 
'''Dubaî
 
'''h''' sounded '''Shanghaî
 
'''Ábu Dhàbì
 
'''rábbî
 
'''álibî
 
'''Sàùdì
 
likewise other plurals of -'''us''' - '''nûclêî
 
'''Hawàìì
 
'''Isrâeli
 
'''Disrâeli
 
.*sémmy  '''sémi
 
''eat'' '''pîe''' =  ''number'' '''pî
 
girls’ names tend to end in -'''i''' or -'''ie''', boys’ in -'''y''' - '''Térrì
 
.*paparatsy - '''paparázzi
 
===J, K===
-zh '''Ràj
 
-zh ''Mahal''  '''Tàj
 
-dj '''hàjj
 
-'''que''' = -'''k
 
''vegetable'' '''lêek''' = ''liquid'' '''lêak
 
'''blêak
 
'''spêak
 
''car'' '''brâke''' = ''pieces'' '''breâk
 
'''strêak
 
'''têak
 
''money, wood'' '''stâke''' = ''meat'' '''steâk
 
''days'' '''wêek''' = ''feeble'' '''wêak
 
'''flák
 
'''ánorák
 
'''háck
 
'''sáck
 
'''déck
 
'''líck
 
'''gímmick
 
'''hŏick
 
'''bríck
 
'''síck
 
'''tíck
 
'''Pàrtick
 
cf. '''Éric''' - '''Pátrick
 
'''Bûíck
 
'''quíck
 
'''wíck
 
.*Wórrick '''Ẁarwick
 
.*Bérrick '''Bérwick
 
'''w''' sounded in '''Lërwick
 
.*Kézzíck '''Késwick
 
.*Smédhík (voiced '''th''' sound) '''Sméthwick
 
cf. '''Bangkók''' - '''cóck
 
'''dóck
 
'''lóck
 
'''wédlock
 
'''flóck
 
'''wårlock
 
.*nóck '''knóck
 
'''sóck
 
'''dúck
 
'''lúck
 
''liquid'' '''lêak''' = ''vegetable'' '''lêek
 
'''mêek
 
'''rêek
 
'''sêek
 
''feeble'' '''wêak''' = ''days'' '''wêek
trék
 
cf. '''sqwåwk''' - -åwk -'''ålk
 
or '''båulk''' -  -åwk '''bålk
 
-åwk '''chålk
 
cf. ''talcum powder'' '''tálc''', '''l''' sounded - -åwk ''speak'' '''tålk
 
-åwk ''bird'' '''stŏrk''' BrE = ''plant, follow'' '''stålk
 
-åwk '''wålk
 
'''whélk
 
.*fôk '''fôlk
 
-fək '''Nŏrfolk
 
-fək '''Súffolk
 
''ox'' '''yôke''' = ''egg'' '''yôlk
 
'''bánk
 
'''sánk
 
'''tánk
 
'''thánk
 
'''dránk
 
''person'' '''Fránk''' = ''honest'' '''fránk
 
'''thínk
 
'''rínk
 
'''drínk
 
'''shrínk
 
'''sínk
 
'''hónk
 
'''plónk
 
'''mònk
 
'''hónky-tónk
 
'''dúnk
 
'''fúnk
 
'''Bángkók
 
'''noòk
 
'''spoôk
 
'''roòk
 
'''broòk
 
'''wók
 
'''pàrk
 
'''jërk
 
'''bersërk
 
'''smïrk
 
'''shïrk
 
'''kïrk
 
'''quïrk
 
'''wörk
 
'''lürk
 
'''Türk
 
'''āsk
 
'''bāsk
 
'''flāsk
 
'''tāsk
 
'''désk
 
''record'' '''dísc''' = ''computer'' '''dísk
 
'''whísk
 
'''óbelisk
 
'''rísk
 
'''ásterisk
 
'''dúsk
 
'''músk
 
'''túsk
 
'''åuk
 
'''squåwk
 
===L===
'''lógical
 
'''mýthical
 
'''puritánical
 
'''histórical
 
'''hystérical
 
'''thê'''- '''theátrical
 
'''mûsical
 
'''práctical
 
'''scéptical
 
'''mýstical
 
'''nåutical
 
'''quízzical
 
'''fôcal
 
'''lôcal
 
'''vôcal
 
''interfere'' '''méddle''' = ''coin'' '''médal
 
''sell'' '''péddle''' = ''bicycle'' '''pédal
 
rhyming with '''cándle''', '''hándle''' - '''scándal
 
rhyming with above '''sándal
 
'''concêal
 
'''repêal
 
'''squêal
 
'''vêal
 
'''revêal
 
'''lêgal
 
'''illêgal
 
'''rêgal
 
'''Bengål
 
.*commërshal '''commërcial
 
'''denîal
 
'''mênial
 
.*pàrshal '''pàrtial
 
'''ânal
 
AmE '''bânal''' - BrE '''banàl
 
'''canál
 
'''phenómenal
 
'''diágonal
 
'''hexágonal
 
-shənəl -'''tional
 
'''nátional
 
'''rátional
 
'''nôtional
 
'''hôle''' rhymes with '''gôal
 
'''shôal
 
cf. ''main, headteacher'' '''prínciple''' - ''basic, credo'' '''príncipal
 
'''quadriláteral
 
'''âmóral
 
'''immóral
 
-zəl '''apprâisal
 
cf. '''véssel''' - '''hássle''' rhymes with '''vással
 
'''ántênâtal
 
'''pôstnâtal
 
''quality'' '''méttle''' = ''iron'' '''métal
 
.*péttle '''pétal
 
AmE '''inståll''' - BrE '''instål
 
-zhəl '''cásual
 
-kchəl '''áctual
 
'''evéntual
 
''belly-button'' '''nâvel''' = ''ship'' '''nâval
 
cf. '''êvil''' - *medêvəl or '''medìêval
 
*Mŷcle '''Mîchael
 
'''Ráphâél
 
a common mistake is to write 'Isreal' - '''Ísrâel
 
= ''capable'' '''âble''', cf. '''tâble, stâble''' - ''person'' '''Âbel
 
cf. '''bábble''' - '''Bâbel
 
'''lâbel
 
'''Mâbel
 
''noun'' '''rébel
 
''verb'' '''rebél
 
'''excél
 
'''módel
 
'''yôdel
 
'''êel
 
'''fêel
 
'''pêel
 
'''fálafel
 
''air'' '''ãerial''' = ''person'' '''Ãriel
 
'''Mûriel
 
cf. '''lôcal, vôcal''' - '''yokel
 
cf. '''përsonal''' - '''personnél
 
'''repél
 
'''compél
 
'''dispél
 
'''expél
 
'''appárel
 
'''cóckerel
 
'''bárrel
 
'''mínstrel
 
'''wâstrel
 
'''êasel
 
'''wêasel
 
words in -'''éstle''' rhyme with '''véssel
 
'''hô'''- '''hotél
 
cf. '''módel''' - '''mô'''- '''motél
 
'''cartél
 
-'''ûle''' rhymes with -'''ûel
 
''two'' '''dûal''' = ''fight'' '''dûel
 
'''fûel
 
'''crûel
 
'''grûel
 
''navy'' '''nâval''' = ''stomach'' '''nâvel
 
'''Ravél
 
'''unrável
 
'''trável
 
cf. '''drízzle''' - '''drível
 
'''swível
 
'''hóvel
 
'''shòvel
 
'''nóvel
 
'''bòwel
 
'''tròwel
 
'''tòwel
 
'''vòwel
 
'''píxel
 
'''TÉFL
 
'''fâil
 
'''avâil
 
'''prevâil
 
'''vèil
 
AmE '''fulfíll''', BrE '''fulfíl
 
'''níl
 
'''fŏil
 
'''êvil
 
'''dévil
 
'''Brazíl
 
'''åll
 
'''båll
 
'''cåll
 
'''fåll
 
'''tåll
 
'''wåll
 
'''béll
 
'''déll
 
'''féll
 
'''héll
 
'''nútshell
 
'''péll-méll
 
'''séll
 
'''téll
 
'''quéll
 
'''wéll
 
'''fíll
 
'''píll
 
'''tíll
 
'''quíll
 
'''dóll
 
cf. ''parrot'' '''póll''', ''elect'' '''pôll
 
''part'' '''rôle''' = ''along'' '''rôll
 
'''drôll
 
'''strôll
 
'''tôll
 
'''bùll
 
'''cúll
 
'''dúll
 
but the suffix is -'''fùl - '''fùll
 
''city'' '''Húll''' = ''boat'' '''húll
 
'''lúll
 
''island'' '''Múll''' = ''over'' '''múll'''
 
''and void'' '''núll
 
'''anúll
 
'''pùll
 
'''hê’ll
 
'''shê’ll
 
'''wê’ll
 
'''Î’ll
 
'''ít’ll
 
'''yoû’ll''' or '''yoù’ll''' or '''yŏu’ll
 
'''thèy’ll
 
'''prôtocol
 
'''álcohol
 
'''coôl
 
'''foôl
 
.*skoôl '''schoôl
 
'''poôl
 
'''spoôl
 
'''toôl
 
'''woòl
 
AmE '''enróll''', BrE '''enrôl
 
'''patrôl
 
'''pétrol
 
cf. '''rôll''' - '''contrôl
 
'''párasól
 
-təl '''pístol
 
'''gïrl
 
'''whïrl
 
'''twïrl
 
'''whŏrl
 
'''fürl
 
'''Gåul
 
'''måul
 
'''Påul
 
'''Såul '''cáterwåul
 
cf. ''word'' '''fùll''' ''suffix'' -'''fùl
 
'''hôpeful
 
'''cãreful
 
'''beaûtiful
 
'''dûtiful
 
''noun'' '''spoônful
 
'''wònderful
 
'''stréssful
 
'''àrtful
 
'''jŏyful
 
''bird'' '''fòwl''' = ''bad'' '''fòul
 
'''ghoûl
 
''only'' '''sôle''' = ''Korea'' '''Seôul''' = ''spirit'' '''sôul
 
'''åwl
 
'''båwl
 
'''cråwl
 
''all meanings'' '''bôwl
 
''bird'' '''fòwl
 
'''hòwl
 
'''y''' as schwa - '''Síbyl
 
'''y''' as schwa - '''Béryl
 
===M===
'''glêam
 
'''rêam
 
'''drêam
 
''appear'' '''sêem''' = ''thread, coal'' '''sêam
 
'''stêam
 
'''scrêam
 
'''drêam
 
'''strêam
 
'''hám
 
BrE '''h''' silent, '''a''' as schwa, -əm; AmE -'''hám
 
'''h''' silent, '''g''' not sounded separately '''Búckingham
 
'''h''' silent, '''g''' not sounded separately '''Bïrmingham
 
-nəm '''Twíckenham
 
-nəm '''Chéltenham
 
.*Tótnəm '''Tóttenham
 
.*Méppəm '''Méopham
 
-səm '''Tópsham
 
-təm '''Stréatham
 
-təm '''Chátham
 
-təm '''Éltham
 
-təm '''Wåltham
 
unvoiced '''th''' sound '''Bôtham
 
unvoiced '''th''' sound '''Gótham
 
.*Rûtəm '''Wrotham
 
'''Wést Hám
 
'''môdém
 
'''dêem
 
''group'' '''têam''' = ''pour'' '''têem
 
'''hém
 
'''ahém
 
'''Béthlehém
 
sounding like -um '''thêorem
 
'''stém
 
-ám '''dîaphragm
 
.*flém '''phlégm
 
-îm '''páradigm
 
'''rhýthm
 
'''âim
 
'''mâim
 
'''dím
 
'''dénim''' rhymes with '''Blénheim
 
'''whím
 
'''Kím
 
'''skím
 
'''dénim
 
'''mínim
 
BrE and AmE -àm '''bàlm
 
BrE and AmE -àm '''càlm
 
BrE and AmE -àm '''quàlm
 
'''tálcum''' rhymes with *Málcum '''Málcolm
 
''dwell'' '''hôme''' = ''oak, islet'' '''hôlm
 
'''frêedom
 
'''bŏredom
 
'''kíngdom
 
'''slàlom
 
'''Tóm
 
'''árm
 
'''fàrm
 
'''hàrm
 
cf. '''wörm, wårn''' - '''wårm
 
pák- '''páchydërm
 
j- '''gërm
 
'''spërm
 
'''tërm
 
'''fïrm
 
'''fŏrm
 
'''nŏrm
 
cf. ''heat'' '''wårm''' - ''animal'' '''wörm
 
'''ŏrgasm
 
.*kázəm '''chásm
 
-zəm '''spásm
 
-ízəm; never stressed -'''ísm
 
'''âthêísm
 
'''Bùddhism
 
'''existéntialism
 
shôv- '''chauvinism
 
'''térrorism
 
'''mîcrocosm
 
'''tálcum
 
'''memorándum
 
'''referéndum
 
'''glúm
 
'''húm
 
'''válium
 
'''thállium
 
'''gerânium
 
'''aquãrium
 
'''delírium
 
'''drúm
 
'''húmdrúm
 
'''conúndrum
 
'''gymnâsium
 
'''fŏrum
 
'''vácûum
 
'''gỳm
 
''name'' -'''ným
 
syû- '''pseûdonym
 
'''hómonym
 
'''sýnonym
 
'''ántonym
 
'''Î’m
 
===N===
'''bán
 
'''ürban
 
'''türban
 
'''cán
 
'''Gŏrdon''' rhymes with '''Jŏrdan
 
-tion '''crustâcean
 
'''lôtion''' rhymes with '''ôcean
 
'''dêan
 
'''clêan
 
'''mêan
 
-ìən '''epicûrêan
 
'''fán
 
'''Ìan
 
-íshən -'''ícian
 
'''technícian
 
'''patrícian
 
.*Óstrâlìən in rapid speech ends like '''míllion''' etc., -lyən -
'''Austrâlian
 
-íshən ''abstract'' -'''ítion'''  = ''person'' -'''ícian
 
'''logícian
 
'''patrícian
 
'''politícian
 
'''mathematícian
 
'''reptílian
 
'''civílian
 
'''Brazílian
 
'''Gíllian
 
'''nonagenãrian
 
'''quinquagenãrian
 
'''septuagenãrian
 
'''sexagenãrian
 
'''octogenãrian
 
'''lîbrãrian
 
'''sectãrian
 
'''vegetãrian
 
'''libertãrian
 
no words end in *-erian
 
'''histŏrian
 
from -'''sia''' + '''n''', = -'''sion''', mostly -zh- -'''sian
 
-zh- '''Âsian
 
-zh- '''Caucâsian
 
-zh- '''Frêsian
 
AmE -izh-, BrE -ízì- '''Parísian
 
-shən = -'''tion -'''tian
 
'''Dalmâtian
 
'''nâtion''' rhymes with '''Crôâtian
 
'''Alsâtian
 
'''Títian
 
-bîzh- '''Azerbaijàn
 
'''mán
 
.*Îləv-Mán '''Îsle of Mán
 
mostly -mən -'''man
 
'''pâcemán
 
'''polìceman
 
'''hénchman
 
'''Omàn
 
'''Sûpermán
 
'''gásmán
 
'''ómbùdsman
 
'''Cóngressman
 
'''bátman
 
'''Bátmán
 
'''táxmán
 
'''Nŷman
 
-ən '''[[Kofi Annan|Kôfi Ànnan]]'''
 
'''môan
 
''alone'' '''lône''' = ''lend'' '''lôan
 
'''grôan
 
''god'' '''Pán''' = ''food'' '''pán
 
'''tán
 
'''Tîtan
 
'''Spàrtan
 
'''tàrtan
 
can be stressed in any word depending on speaker -'''stān 
 
usually second syllable stressed '''Uzbékistan
 
'''Tajíkistan
 
'''Afghánistan
 
'''Manháttan
 
ván
 
ẁan
 
Tŷ- Taiwàn
 
= ón ''French'' en
 
''letter'' én
 
dén
 
wîden
 
cf. Lòndon, both -dən - Cámden
 
sêen
 
splêen
 
shêen
 
grêen
 
fén
 
hén
 
dh- thén
 
léngthen
 
stréngthen
 
'''âlien
 
'''tâken
 
'''wêaken
 
'''brôken
 
'''tôken
 
'''wôken
 
'''dàrken
 
'''heàrken
 
'''póllen
 
'''swôllen
 
'''mén
 
-mən in most words -'''men
 
'''Yémen
 
'''spŏrtsmen
 
'''spécimen
 
'''chíldren
 
'''bréthren
 
'''wörsen
 
'''léssen
 
'''delicatéssen
 
'''bêaten
 
.*sóffən '''sóften
 
.*fāssən '''fāsten
 
.*hâyssən '''hâsten
 
.*líssən '''lísten
 
.*glíssən '''glísten
 
''bird'' '''bíttërn ≈ ''bite'' bítten
 
'''íll-gótten
 
'''héaven
 
'''hâven
 
'''êven
 
'''eléven
 
'''séven
 
'''òven
 
'''còven
 
or prû- '''prôven
 
'''wôven
 
'''Ôwen
 
'''óxen
 
'''yén
 
'''Zén
 
-n -'''gn
 
'''campâign
 
'''vèin''' rhymes with '''dèign
 
''would''  '''fâin''' = ''pretend'' '''fèign
 
''wet'' râin  = ''monarch'' rèign
 
.*sóvrin sóvereign
 
-lîne malîgn
 
-nîne benîgn
 
signal = sîne maths - sîgn
 
-zîne desîgn
 
-zîne resîgn
 
-sîne énsîgn
 
-pyûne impûgn
 
''pub'' ínn = ''out'' ín
 
Câin
 
disdâin
 
gâin
 
.*əgén; some regularise to agâin - again
 
slâin
 
explâin
 
mâin
 
cf. germâne ''relevant'' = Germâine ''person'' - remâin
 
brâin
 
Bahrâin
 
trâin
 
retâin
 
Bríton ''person''  = ''country'' Brítain
 
-tín cáptain
 
dín
 
skèin
 
[[Elmer Bernstein|''Elmer'' Bërnstêin]]
 
[[Leonard Bernstein|''Leonard'' Bërnsteîn]]
 
thín
 
detërmine rhymes with vërmin
 
pín
 
sín
 
bâsin
 
tín
 
-m -mn
 
''condemn''  dám = ''water''  dámn
 
condémn
 
sólemn
 
cólumn
 
åutumn
 
''man'' hím = ''church''  hýmn
 
''out'' ín = ''pub'' ínn
 
ón
 
mostly schwa, as are Cámden, Màrsden, Hámpden = Hámpton -on
 
càrbon
 
''university, clothing'' dón
 
Héndon
 
Lòndon
 
cŏrdon
 
cf. gàrden – Gŏrdon
 
curmúdgeon
 
pígeon
 
-njən '''dúngeon
 
-jən '''sürgeon
 
-jən '''stürgeon
 
-nchən '''trúncheon
 
'''bandôneon
 
'''Lêón
 
.*kəmêlêən; AmE -mê-; in fast speech -lyən, like '''míllion, Austrâlian''' - '''chamaêlêon
 
'''Napôleon
 
'''nêón
 
'''péntagon
 
'''bándwagon
 
'''àrgón
 
BrE *pólygən, AmE '''pólygón
 
'''îón
 
-yən -'''ion
 
most words spelt thus in Spanish are -'''tion''' in English -'''cion
 
-sh- '''suspícion
 
'''Asunción
 
-sh- '''côërcion
 
'''rêgion
 
'''lêgion
 
'''relígion
 
'''fáshion
 
cf. percússion, also -sh- - cùshion
 
vermílion
 
'''gálleon''' rhymes with '''stállion
 
'''bíllion
 
'''míllion
 
'''tríllion
 
'''búllion
 
ònion
 
ûnion
 
Orîon
 
centûrion
 
-zhən after vowels; -shən after consonants, including another s and, in BrE, r -sion
 
lêsion
 
vísion
 
télevision
 
revísion
 
scánsion
 
expánsion
 
-éntion -énshən = -énsion
 
comprehénsion
 
'''pénsion
 
'''suspénsion
 
'''ténsion
 
'''preténsion
 
'''exténsion
 
'''avërsion
 
'''dîvërsion
 
'''convërsion
 
'''excürsion
 
'''dîgréssion
 
'''séssion
 
'''míssion
 
ím- '''emíssion
 
əm- '''omíssion
 
-sh- '''percússion
 
'''fûsion
 
'''delûsion
 
'''illûsion
 
'''intrûsion
 
mostly -shən –'''tion
 
'''inundâtion
 
'''foundâtion
 
'''creâtion
 
'''installátion
 
'''constellátion
 
'''nâtion
 
'''rátion
 
vî- '''vibrâtion
 
mî- migrâtion
 
-kshən -ction
 
áction
 
afféction
 
conféction
 
BrE can be -éxion - refléction
 
colléction
 
BrE can be -éxion - connéction
 
eréction
 
'''diréction
 
'''contradíction
 
.*sángktchən '''sánction
 
.*úngktchən '''únction
 
.*fúngktchən '''fúnction
 
.*júngktchən '''júnction
 
.*cəmpúngkshən '''compúnction
 
'''complêtion
 
'''discrétion
 
'''definítion
 
'''preposítion
 
'''proposítion
 
'''opposítion
 
'''competítion
 
'''frûítion
 
= -'''énsion''', -énshən -'''éntion
 
'''méntion
 
'''deténtion
 
'''inténtion
 
'''atténtion
 
prevéntion
 
absŏrption
 
erúption
 
abŏrtion
 
contŏrtion
 
contribûtion
 
distribûtion
 
pollûtion
 
'''solûtion'''
 
'''éxion''' is, except for '''compléxion''', BrE only: other words end in -'''éction''' - '''éxion'''
 
so AmE, BrE ''refléction'' = BrE only '''refléxion'''
 
cf. '''conféction''' - *compléction '''compléxion'''
 
cf. '''convíction''' - '''crucifíxion'''
 
'''nŷlón'''
 
dêmon
 
lémon
 
Sólomon
 
Lébanon
 
cánnon
 
Shánnon
 
moôn
 
buffoôn
 
balloôn
 
lampoôn
 
harpoôn
 
cf. càrton - càrtoôn
 
upón
 
''person''  Bárron = ''lord'' báron
 
''person'' Sháron
 
''person'' AmE Sharôn, BtE Sharón
 
sáffron
 
eléctrón
 
neûtrón
 
sh- chévrón
 
''boy'' sòn
 
bîson
 
Áshton
 
Élton
 
Lýttelton
 
prôtón
 
càrton
 
Nŏrton
 
''east'' êastern BrE = ''person'' Êaston
 
''west'' wéstern BrE = ''person'' Wéston
 
cf. Féatherstone, etc. Ålston
 
Màrston
 
Rŏyston
 
bútton
 
mútton
 
Sútton
 
wòn
 
cf. Jáckson, Híckson, etc. Díxon
 
Níxon
 
Ríxon
 
bàrn
 
'''dàrn
 
'''ëarn
 
'''lëarn
 
cf. '''wårm''', '''wörm''': ''wear'' '''wŏrn''' = ''person'' '''Wårne''' =  ''warning'' '''wårn
 
'''yàrn
 
''direction'' '''türn'''  = ''bird'' '''tërn
 
'''lántern
 
'''stërn
 
'''astërn
 
''persons'' '''Pátten''' = '''Pátton''' = BrE ''arrange'' '''páttern
 
bŏrn
 
cŏrn
 
cf. ''wriggly'' wörm - ''warning'' wårn = ''wear'' wŏrn
ürn
 
bürn
 
chürn
 
''round'' türn
 
fún
 
gún
 
nòun
 
''shine'' sún
 
Whítsun
 
dåwn
 
påwn
 
spåwn
 
pråwn
 
heŵn
 
'''gòwn
 
'''blôwn
 
'''môwn
 
'''renòwn
 
.*nôan '''knôwn
 
'''bròwn
 
'''cròwn
 
'''grôwn
 
'''tòwn
 
===O===
mostly '''ô'''; never -ó -'''o
 
'''placêbô
 
usually *ənkô - '''& cô''', '''and cô
 
'''stúccô
 
'''flaméncô
 
-û '''do
 
'''vídêo
 
'''Montevidèo
 
'''Lêo
 
'''Clìo''' = '''Clêo
 
'''Galilèo
 
'''gô
 
'''lumbâgo
 
'''dóggô
 
'''vërtigo
 
'''Djángo
 
'''lôgô
 
'''Tôgo
 
'''mácho
 
.*sŷko '''psŷcho
 
.*Tŷko '''Tŷcho
 
-shô '''braggadôcio
 
'''portfôlio
 
'''pôlio
 
-ss- '''impresàrio
 
-shô '''râtio
 
-shô '''Horâtio
 
'''nô
 
'''taboô
 
'''gôo
 
'''ígloô
 
'''Wåterloô
 
'''shampoô
 
'''kangaroô
 
'''woô
 
.*Búrə - it means Míddlesbrough, which doesn’t have the '''ò''' - ends in schwa - '''Bòro
 
'''prô
 
cf. '''bûreau''' - '''pólitburo
 
'''sô
 
'''Plâto
 
AmE '''tomâto''' BrE '''tomàto
 
'''potâto
 
f- '''phôto
 
'''Plûto
 
''at'' '''to''' = ''also, many'' '''toô''' = ''2'' '''tŵo
 
'''émbrỳo
 
===P===
'''cáp
 
'''gáp
 
'''snáp
 
'''táp
 
'''stép
 
'''híp
 
'''friéndship
 
'''kíngship
 
'''crāftsmanship
 
'''shôwmanship
 
'''wörship
 
'''kíp
 
'''skíp
 
'''líp
 
'''clíp
 
'''flíp
 
'''slíp
 
'''whíp
 
'''gríp
 
'''tríp
 
'''stríp
 
'''whélp
 
'''kélp
 
'''cámp
 
'''dámp
 
'''lámp
 
'''rámp
 
'''crámp
 
'''trámp
 
'''hémp
 
'''ímp
 
'''skímp
 
'''límp
 
'''pímp
 
'''wímp
 
'''búmp
 
'''dúmp
 
'''thúmp
 
'''júmp
 
'''lúmp
 
'''slúmp
 
'''frúmp
 
'''trúmp
 
'''devélop
 
cf. ''noun'' '''énvelôpe''' - ''verb'' '''envélop
 
'''flóp
 
'''póp
 
'''sóp
 
'''désktóp
 
'''láptóp
 
'''hoôp
 
'''droôp
 
'''troôp
 
'''loôp
 
'''sloôp
 
'''stoôp
 
'''càrp
 
'''hàrp
 
'''wårp
 
'''bürp
 
'''slürp
 
'''clāsp
 
'''rāsp
 
'''grāsp
 
'''crísp
 
'''wísp
 
'''cúsp
 
'''úp
 
'''cùp
 
''bird'' '''coô''' = ''overthrow'' '''coûp
 
.*rêcoôp '''recoûp
 
.*groôp '''groûp
 
'''gåwp
 
===Q, R===
'''Iràq
 
where unstressed, schwa -'''ar
 
'''bazàar
 
'''bàr
 
'''càr
 
'''râdàr
 
'''cálendar
 
'''êar
 
cf. ''drink'' '''bêer''' - ''animal, tolerate'' '''béãr
 
cf. ''risk'' '''dãre''' - ''animal'' '''dêer''' = ''beloved, expensive'' '''dêar
 
'''fêar
 
'''gêar
 
''there'' '''hêre''' = ''ear'' '''hêar
 
''look'' '''lêer''' = ''person'' '''Lêar
 
'''clêar
 
'''unclêar
 
.*nûclêə(r) '''nûclear
 
'''smêar
 
'''yêar''' or '''yëar
 
cf. '''búgger''' - '''béggar
 
though contemporaries pronounced it ending in schwa - '''[[Edward Elgar|Élgàr]]
 
sh- '''sùgar
 
'''buŷer, flŷer''' and '''trîer''' rhyme with '''lîar
 
'''brîar
 
'''jàr
 
'''símilar
 
'''píllar
 
'''cáterpillar
 
'''cóllar
 
'''hóller''' rhymes with '''dóllar
 
sk- '''schólar
 
'''môlar
 
'''múscular
 
'''régular
 
'''júgular
 
'''grámmar
 
-z- '''quâsàr
 
'''púlsàr
 
'''Qátàr
 
'''néctar
 
'''scímitàr
 
'''sítàr
 
''change'' '''ålter''' = ''church'' '''åltar
 
'''mŏrtar
 
'''stàr
 
schwa:  AmE  '''uh'''  = BrE '''er
 
mostly schwa; stressed -'''ër''' in some words;  some AmE -'''er''' words are -'''re''' in BrE. -'''er
 
'''câber
 
silent '''b''': *clîmer '''clîmber
 
'''tímber
 
'''encúmber
 
'''cûcumber
 
'''lúmber
 
silent '''b''': *plúmmer '''plúmber
 
'''cáncer
 
'''dāncer
 
'''cîder
 
'''glîder
 
'''spîder
 
''person'' '''Rŷder''' = ''ride'', ''logic'' '''rîder
 
'''insîder
 
''bold'' '''bôlder''' = ''rock'' '''bôulder
 
'''shôulder
 
'''propagánda''' rhymes with BrE '''gánder
 
'''Lê'''- '''Leánder
 
'''mê'''- '''meánder
 
cf. '''sqùalor''' - '''sqùander
 
'''ẁander
 
'''wònder
 
'''yónder
 
'''enginêer
 
'''pîonêer
 
iléc- '''electionêer
 
cf. ''wither'' '''sêar''', one diphthong, one syllable - *sêeər, two syllables ''see'' '''sêer
 
'''voluntêer
 
'''defër
 
'''confër
 
'''refër
 
'''prefër
 
'''óffer
 
'''próffer
 
'''cónifer
 
'''pílfer
 
hard '''g''' - '''làger
 
-j- '''mánager
 
cf. '''béggar''' - '''dágger
 
'''bígger
 
'''lógger
 
'''blógger
 
.*Nizhãir '''Nigér
 
hard '''g''' - '''tîger
 
hard '''g''' pronounced separately: áng-ger '''ánger
 
.*dânjer '''dânger
 
'''g''' not pronounced separately from -'''ng'''-; ''aeroplane'' '''hángar''' = ''coat'' '''hánger
 
.*mânjer '''mânger
 
.*strânjer '''strânger
 
.*jínjer '''gínger
 
hard '''g''' sounded separately: líng-ger '''línger
 
no '''g''' sound '''sínger
 
no '''g''' sound '''wínger
 
hard '''g''' sounded separately *mòng-ger -'''mònger
 
'''físhmònger
 
'''warmonger
 
hard '''g''' sounded separately: *stróng-ger - '''strónger
 
'''àrcher
 
'''màrcher
 
'''cátcher
 
'''decîpher
 
'''gôpher
 
or '''cîpher''' - '''cŷpher
 
usually voiced '''th''' and schwa -'''ther
 
'''bâther
 
'''féather
 
'''héather
 
'''léather
 
''climate'' '''wéather
 
''BrE far'' '''fàrther''' = ''AmE as well as BrE dad'' '''fàther
 
cf. AmE '''fàther''' - AmE '''láther''' - '''lāther
 
'''bláther
 
cf. AmE '''fàther''' - AmE '''ráther''' - '''rāther
 
unvoiced '''th''' - '''êther
 
'''togéther
 
''if'' '''whéther
 
'''téther
 
for most speakers ''where'' '''whíther''' = ''decay'' '''wíther
 
'''òther
 
'''bóther
 
'''smòther
 
'''mòther
 
one word '''anòther
 
'''bròther
 
'''fàrther
 
'''fürther
 
'''idéntifîer
 
'''supplîer
 
'''ëarlier
 
''person'' '''Crŷer''' = ''cry, town'' '''crîer
 
'''pìêr
 
silent French '''r''' - '''dóssièr
 
''cry'' '''têar''' = ''level'' '''tìêr
 
'''jôker
 
'''hoòker
 
'''snoôker
 
'''pôker
 
'''bàrker
 
'''wörker
 
'''hándler
 
'''tóddler
 
'''jâiler
 
'''tåller
 
'''dóllar''' rhymes with '''hóller
 
'''rôller
 
'''stámmer
 
''baseball'' '''hômer''' = ''person'' '''Hômer
 
'''wårmer
 
'''fŏrmer
 
'''góner
 
'''lôner
 
'''kêeper
 
'''léper
 
.*loôzer '''loser
 
'''câter
 
'''lâter
 
'''wåter
 
cf. '''áctor''' - k- '''cháracter
 
'''detër
 
cf. BrE '''mêtre''', AmE '''mêter''' distance, rhythm - '''parámeter
 
'''perímeter
 
'''thermómeter
 
'''Pêter
 
'''trúmpeter
 
.*dåwter '''dåughter
 
'''āfter''' rhymes with '''lāughter
 
.*slåwter '''slåughter
 
'''wâiter
 
''church'' '''åltar''' = ''change'' '''ålter
 
'''fålter
 
Wålter
 
'''shélter
 
'''helter-skélter
 
'''wélter
 
'''promôter
 
'''hélicopter
 
'''stàrter
 
'''disāster
 
'''Chéster
 
'''Mánchester
 
'''Dŏrchester
 
or -'''or''': '''protéster
 
'''gángster
 
'''yoúngster
 
'''blíster
 
'''síster
 
'''hípster
 
'''bátter
 
'''fátter
 
'''hátter
 
'''mátter
 
'''pátter
 
'''bétter
 
'''bítter
 
'''lítter
 
'''hótter
 
'''tótter
 
'''bútter
 
'''stútter
 
'''commûter
 
'''compûter
 
.*lácker '''lácquer
 
'''avër
 
'''hâver
 
'''brâver
 
'''quâver
 
'''wâver
 
'''fêver
 
'''whichéver
 
AmE '''léver''' - BrE '''lêver
 
'''cléver
 
'''whenéver
 
.*hû-éver '''whoéver
 
'''wheréver
 
.*wót-éver '''whatéver
 
'''hòwéver
 
'''fîver
 
líver
 
ríver
 
''arrow, shake'' '''quíver
 
'''ôver
 
'''còver
 
'''Dôver
 
'''hóver
 
'''lòver
 
'''plòver
 
''art'' '''dråw''' ≈ ''desk'' '''dråwer
 
'''bòwer
 
'''flòwer
 
'''glòwer
 
'''pòwer
 
'''tòwer
 
cf. '''lãir''' - *lãyə '''lâyer
 
.*plâyə(r) plâyer
 
.*prãir prãyer
 
.*fŏyây fŏyèr
 
låwyer rhymes with emplŏyer
 
buŷer
 
.*lŏyer låwyer
 
thére *thãir rhymes with ãir
 
hãir
 
despãir
 
fïr
 
-vwàr réservoir
 
tâpìr
 
stïr
 
bestïr
 
mostly schwa, as also -er, -our -or
 
ráncor
 
córridŏr
 
cóndŏr
 
fŏr
 
abhŏr
 
ultêrior
 
antêrior
 
postêrior
 
ánchor
 
cf. sqùander - sqùalor
 
''person'' Tâylor = ''clothes'' tâilor
pállor
 
chāncellor
 
trémor
 
gòvernor
 
dŏor
 
pŏor
 
térror
 
hórror
 
spónsor
 
''téar'' tŏre = ''crag'' tŏr
 
álligâtor
 
flagellâtor
 
órator
 
colláborator
 
narrâtor
 
spectâtor
 
áctor
 
léctor
 
Selécter ''band'' = seléctor
 
colléctor
 
protéctor
 
véctor
 
dóctor
 
proprîetor
 
trâitor
 
méntŏr
 
protéster is much more common than protéstor
 
invéstor
 
resístor
 
transístor
 
impóstor
 
whïrr
 
Cŏrr
 
fürr
 
pürr
 
occür
 
incür
 
concür
 
.*gránjə grándeur
 
frottëur
 
longuëur
 
voyëur
 
für
 
AmE Darfùr BrE Darfůr
 
AmE súlfur BrE súlphur
 
demür
 
fêmur
 
lêmur
 
mürmur
 
when unstressed, schwa; -or in AmE -our
 
''we'' òur = ''time'' hòur
 
doûr
 
AmE -or - hàrbour
 
scòur
 
''preposition'' fŏr = ''4'' fŏur
 
cf. ''petal'' flòwer - ''dough'' flòur
 
BrE *cúlə; AmE -or - còlour
 
BrE *glámə; AmE -or - glámour
 
BrE *hûmə; AmE -or - hûmour
 
BrE *ónə; AmE -or - hónour
 
sòur
 
''téar'' tŏre = ''hill'' tŏr = ''travel'' for some speakers toûr
 
nón séquitur
 
-ə -yr
 
zéphyr
 
màrtyr
 
===S===
.*áz '''ás
 
.*(h)w(é)əráz '''whereás
 
.*ház '''hás
 
.*Cánzus '''Kánsas
 
-såw '''Årkansås
 
.*wóz '''ẁas
 
AmE *ërbs '''hërbs
 
'''thêátrics
 
-x '''athlétics
 
-x '''gymnástics
 
-x '''logístics
 
'''Nétherlands
 
-dz '''fŏrwards
 
words from Greek, etc: -êz -'''ês
 
'''Ándês
 
'''antípodês
 
'''côdes
 
-íz '''édges
 
-íz '''lódges
 
-íz '''Hódges
 
''hew'' '''heŵs''' = ''person'' '''Hûghes
 
'''lúllabîes
 
-íz '''râbíes
 
.*síəríz '''sêríes
 
-íz AmE '''wörríes''', BrE  '''wòrríes
 
Lós = '''lóss''' ''lose''; -íz '''Lós Ángeles
 
''distance'' '''mîles''' = ''person'' '''Mîles
 
[[minimal pair]]: cf. '''shékels''' - '''sháckles
 
-z '''Hërculês
 
-nz '''Bàrnes
 
'''Jóhn Mâynard Kèynes
 
'''Mílton Kêynes
 
.*dúzz '''dòes
 
.*gôze '''gôes
 
'''hêroes
 
.*tôze '''tôes
 
-tôze '''potâtoes
 
plural of -'''sís''' in Greek-derived words (see [[English irregular nouns]]) -'''sês
 
'''parénthesês
 
cf. '''prîces''' *prîsíz - *crŷsêez '''crîsês
 
.*loôziz '''loses
 
glāsses
 
-zíz hòuses
 
-ssíz spòuses
 
'''Sócratês
 
'''hêaves
 
''leave, leaf'' '''lêaves
 
''have-nots'' '''háves
 
'''shâves
 
'''wâves
 
''thief'' '''thìêves
 
'''Îves
 
'''gíves
 
-k- '''àrchîves
 
''plural noun'' '''lîves
 
''singular verb'' '''líves
 
''knife'' '''knîves
 
'''arrîves
 
'''môtíves
 
''wife'' '''wîves
 
''calf'' '''càlves
 
''valve'' '''válves
 
''elf'' '''élves
 
''delve'' '''délves
 
''shelf'' '''shélves
 
''self'' '''sélves
 
one word, as with following: *òursélvz '''oursélves
 
.*yŏrsélvz '''yoursélves
 
.*dhəmsélvz '''themsélves
 
.*wùlvz '''wolves'''
 
cf. '''dòves''' - '''drôves
 
''hoof'' '''hoôves
 
''scarf'' '''scàrves
 
.*yéss '''yés
 
'''hoôves''' rhymes with '''roôfs
 
-gz '''dógs
 
'''parîahs
 
''big'' '''sîze''' = ''sigh'' '''sîghs
 
-āffs lāughs
 
-óffs cóughs
 
.*íz ís
 
.*híz '''hís
 
plurals, no apostrophes, -íz '''Bangladéshis
 
-íz '''Bengålis
 
-íz '''Nepålis
 
-íz '''Isrâelis
 
-iz ''semifinals'' '''sémis
 
-əss '''pênis
 
-íz '''Sùnnis
 
-nŏy '''Íllinois
 
-íss '''Páris
 
'''Hórace''' and '''Mórris''' = BrE '''Maurice''' rhyme with '''Bóris''' and '''Dóris
 
'''Hárris
 
'''térrace''' rhymes with '''Férris
 
rhyming with '''Hórace''', BrE '''Maurice''' = '''Mórris
 
'''Nórris
 
'''thêsis
 
Greek-derived words in -'''sís''', *síss, have -'''sês''', *sêez, to mark their plurals (see [[English Irregular Nouns]]) '''sýnthesis
 
'''némesis
 
-íss '''Dâvis
 
-íss '''Mâvis
 
-íss '''Trávis
 
'''Élvis
 
'''pélvis
 
-íss '''áxis
 
'''léxis
 
*nóx '''knócks
 
'''loòks
 
'''spoôks
 
-z '''sélls
 
-z '''húms
 
words from Greek: -óss -'''ós
 
*kâyós '''châos
 
''insect'' '''lòuse''' = ''nation'' '''Làos
 
-dôz '''tornâdos'''
 
-pss '''hélps
 
'''schnápps
 
''heart'' '''cŏre''' = ''army'' '''cŏrps
 
-z '''stàrs
 
'''lîars, trîers''' and '''buŷers''' rhyme with '''plîers
 
'''bôres''', BrE '''påuse''', and '''påws''' rhyme with '''dŏors
 
mostly -íss -'''ess
 
.*áxéss '''áccéss
 
'''góddéss
 
'''cãreless
 
'''ûseless
 
'''hápless
 
'''hélpless
 
'''t''' can be silent in '''lístless
 
'''t''' can be silent in '''réstless
 
méss
 
goòdness
 
lîonéss
 
cf. '''clêan''' - '''cléanliness
 
'''clúmsiness
 
'''nāstiness
 
'''shŷness
 
'''dréss
 
'''áctress
 
'''stréss
 
'''headmístress
 
cf. '''áccess''' *áxéss - '''asséss
 
silent '''u''' - '''guéss
 
'''kíss
 
'''míss
 
'''lóss
 
'''grôss
 
'''cúss
 
-tss '''cáts
 
'''Kêats
 
'''Yâtes''' = '''Yeâts
 
''it is'' '''ít’s''' = ''of it'' '''íts
 
mostly -əss -'''us
 
-ss '''bús
 
'''ábacus
 
'''fôcus
 
-oôz '''Híndûs
 
-kəss '''Bácchus
 
'''Sibèlius
 
'''Dêlius
 
'''Jûlius
 
j-; cf. ''adjective'' '''ingênious''' - ''noun'' '''gênius
 
'''ignorâmus
 
j- '''gênus
 
-yoôz '''ménûs
 
for adjectives = -'''us''' mostly for nouns: -əss –'''ous
 
'''cåucus''' rhymes with '''råucous
 
-dəss - only found in the following five words -'''dous
 
'''treméndous
 
'''stûpendous
 
'''horréndous
 
jép- '''jéopardous
 
'''házardous
 
-jəss '''outrâgeous
 
-jəss '''gŏrgeous
 
'''simultâneous
 
'''pugnâcious
 
-êsh- '''spêcious
 
-ésh- '''précious
 
-ísh- '''vícious
 
'''uncónscious
 
'''relígious''' rhymes with '''sacrilegious
 
cf. ''noun'' '''gênius''' - ''adjective'' '''ingênious
 
'''pîous
 
'''censŏrious
 
kyù- '''cùrious
 
-ísh- '''fictítious
 
'''óbvious
 
'''prêvious
 
.*ánkshus '''ánxious
 
'''jéalous
 
'''zéalous
 
'''màrvellous
 
'''ridículous
 
'''fâmous
 
ínfə- '''ínfamous
 
'''ánimus''' cf. '''ûnánimous
 
cf. '''vërtigo''', hard '''g''' - '''g''' as '''j''' in '''vertíginous
 
'''glûtinous
 
'''glúttonous
 
'''scábrous
 
'''wòndrous
 
'''slānderous
 
'''thúnderous
 
'''mürderous
 
'''nûmerous
 
from BrE -our (AmE -or) - -'''orous
 
'''vígorous
 
'''glámorous
 
'''hûmorous
 
díz- '''disàstrous
 
'''mónstrous
 
'''vácûous
 
'''fátûous
 
'''nërvous
 
.*Bélla-Roôse '''Belarûs
 
cf. '''prósperous''' - '''phósphorus
 
'''rhêsus
 
'''cénsus
 
'''consénsus
 
'''sánctus
 
'''ríctus
 
-z '''jåws
 
irregular: *séz '''says
 
regular: *stâze '''stâys
 
-âze '''sîdeways
 
never used to form plurals: either a singular possessive or an abbreviation of '''ís''' - ''''s
 
w-, plural '''ònes''' = possessive '''òne’s
 
or *híz '''hê’s
 
or *shíz '''shê’s
 
'''chíldren’s
 
''of it'' '''íts''' = ''it is'' '''ít’s
 
===T===
'''át
 
'''cát
 
'''bêat
 
'''hêat
 
'''chêat
 
'''plêat
 
'''nêat
 
'''fát
 
voiced '''th''' - '''thát
 
'''slát
 
''ash'' '''grâte''' = ''big'' '''greât
 
'''swéat
 
'''bôat
 
'''côat
 
'''flôat
 
'''glôat
 
'''môat
 
'''Crôát
 
'''thrôat
 
.*dét '''débt
 
.*dòut '''dòubt
 
''touch'' '''afféct
 
''emotion'' '''áffect
 
result í- '''efféct
 
''adjective'' '''përfect
 
''verb'' '''perféct
 
''thing'' '''óbject
 
''disagree'' '''objéct
 
''matter'' '''súbject
 
''cruel'' '''subjéct
 
''verb'' '''rejéct
 
''noun'' '''rêjéct
 
'''colléct
 
'''connéct
 
'''áspect
 
'''respéct
 
.*éxtradîte '''éxtradîct
 
''person'' '''áddict
 
''verb'' '''addíct
 
'''êdict
 
.*indîte '''indîct
 
'''vërdict
 
''person'' '''cónvict
 
''verb'' '''convíct
 
mostly -ít (-ət in Australasian English), but some have French -ây -'''et
 
BrE '''Hërbert''' rhymes with '''shërbet
 
'''t''' sounded ''hit'' '''búffet
 
.*bùffây ''food'' '''bùffèt
 
.*crôshây '''crôchet
 
'''rátchet
 
'''crótchet
 
'''thícket
 
'''pícket
 
'''crícket
 
'''wícket
 
'''màrket
 
-lây '''chálèt
 
cf. -'''létte''' - *boòklít; these words are -lət in Australasian English - '''boòklet
 
'''píglet
 
.*bállây '''bállèt
 
'''mállet
 
'''ẁallet
 
'''bíllet
 
'''tríplet
 
BrE, '''u''' as schwa - '''qùadruplet, quíntuplet, séxtuplet, séptuplet, óctuplet
 
AmE - '''qùadrûplet, quíntûplet, séxtûplet, séptûplet, óctûplet
 
'''stàrlet
 
'''Jánet
 
'''plánet
 
'''gánnet
 
'''cŏrnet
 
'''límpet
 
-rây '''bérèt
 
'''å''' - '''quartét
 
'''bánquet
 
-kây '''crôquèt
 
-kây '''sóbriquèt
 
BrE *pàhkây, AmE *parkây '''pàrquèt
 
.*boô-kây '''bouquèt
 
'''déft
 
'''héft
 
'''léft
 
'''beréft
 
'''míffed''' rhymes with '''ríft
 
'''dríft
 
'''shríft
 
'''lóft
 
.*yót '''yacht
 
mostly silent '''gh''' -'''ght
 
'''èight
 
'''heîght
 
'''frèight
 
wèight
 
fîght
 
lîght
 
delîght
 
plîght
 
cf. sleîght-of-hánd ''little'' slîght
 
nîght
 
rîght
 
frîght
 
tîght
 
''correct, left'' rîght  = maker -wrîght
 
.*plâywrîte plâywrîght
 
cópyrîght
 
any = ŏught should åught
 
cåught
 
drāft = drāught
 
fråught
 
''any'' åught = ''should'' ŏught
 
bŏught
 
fŏught
 
nŏught
 
brŏught
 
dròught
 
wrŏught
 
ít
 
-ate rhymes with -âit
 
''breath'' bâte = ''catch'' bâit
 
gâit
 
wâit
 
awâit
 
bít
 
inhábit
 
prohíbit
 
déficit
 
còunterfeít
 
fŏrfeít
 
sürfeít
 
Fáhrenheît
 
befít
 
fít
 
hít
 
kít
 
lít
 
admít
 
commít
 
ômít
 
vómit
 
sít
 
-kít cïrcuit
 
-skít bíscuit
 
cóndûít
 
quít
 
-roôt recrûit
 
.*froòt frûit
 
cf. soòt - *sût or *syût sûit
 
Jésûít
 
-syoôt pursûit
 
quít
 
wít
 
dímwit
 
outwít
 
côbålt
 
hålt
 
målt
 
bélt
 
K- Célt
 
n- knélt
 
félt
 
jílt
 
kílt
 
sílt
 
tílt
 
.*bílt buílt
 
wílt
 
fåult
 
cúlt
 
only word ending in -mt (cf. prómpt) - dréamt
 
'''ánt
 
''AmE cannot'' '''cán’t''' = ''philosopher'' '''Kánt''' = ''words'' '''cánt
 
'''signíficant
 
'''descéndant
 
'''deféndant
 
''adjective'' '''depéndent''' = ''person'' '''depéndant
 
BrE *pànshàn, AmE '''pénchant
 
'''trénchant
 
'''clâimant
 
'''dŏrmant
 
'''còvenant
 
cf. '''próminent''' - '''dóminant
 
'''rámpant
 
'''árrant
 
'''érrant
 
''now'' cúrrent = ''eat'' cúrrant
 
pléasant
 
incéssant
 
blâtant
 
hésitant
 
contéstant
 
resístant
 
rélevant
 
sërvant
 
ẁant
 
''send'' sént =  ''money'' cént
 
.*áxent áccent
 
dêcent
 
rêcent
 
magníficent
 
ascént
 
dént
 
précedent
 
anticêdent
 
áxi- áccident
 
óxi- óccident
 
résident
 
président
 
''person'' depéndant = ''adjective'' depéndent
 
'''indepéndent
 
j- ''man'' (abbreviation of '''géntleman''') '''gént
 
'''stríngent
 
'''púngent
 
hard '''G'''-  ''Belgium'' '''Ghént
 
'''obêdient
 
''Christian'' '''Lént''' = ''lend'' '''lént
 
'''éxcellent
 
'''repéllent
 
'''fråudulent
 
cf. ''mean'' '''méant''' - ''suffix'' -'''ment
 
'''engâgement
 
'''mánagement
 
séttlement
 
-tíssm- advërtisement
 
âilment
 
gòvernment
 
pâyment
 
përmanent
 
cf. dóminant - próminent
 
përtinent
 
oppônent
 
pãrent
 
appárent
 
transpárent
 
dífferent
 
inhérent
 
cohêrent
 
réverent
 
irréverent
 
''eat'' cúrrant = ''now'' cúrrent
 
''money'' cént = ''send'' sént
 
tént
 
cómpetent
 
inadvërtent
 
consístent
 
persístent
 
nón-exístent
 
vént
 
fërvent
 
línt
 
flínt
 
glínt
 
mínt
 
pînt
 
frònt
 
dåunt
 
gåunt
 
håunt
 
''verb'' discòunt
 
''noun'' díscount
 
vîc- vîscount
 
blúnt
 
rúnt
 
stúnt
 
gót
 
.*éscàr-gô escargôt
 
Màrgo = Màrgôt
 
hót
 
lót
 
''no'' nót = ''tie'' knót
 
boôt
 
hoôt
 
foòt
 
loôt
 
roôt
 
soòt
 
pót
 
rót
 
árrow rhymes with tárôt
 
''gold'' cárat = ''eat'' cárrot
 
párrot
 
tót
 
ápt
 
léapt
 
accépt
 
excépt
 
képt
 
slépt
 
wépt
 
unkémpt
 
exémpt
 
''noun'' éxcërpt
 
íx- ''verb'' excërpt
 
àrt
 
pàrt
 
depàrt
 
impàrt
 
wårt
 
dïrt
 
flïrt
 
fŏrt
 
shŏrt
 
repŏrt
 
''noun'' ímport
 
''verb'' impŏrt
 
sŏrt
 
''verb'' consŏrt
 
cf. cóncert - noun cónsŏrt
 
cürt
 
hürt
 
'''êast
 
'''bêast
 
'''fêast
 
'''lêast
 
'''bréast
 
'''yêast
 
'''fāst
 
'''lāst
 
'''māst
 
'''vāst
 
'''stréssed''' rhymes with -'''est
 
'''bést
 
'''íncést
 
.*hŷíst '''hîghest
 
.*drŷíst '''drîest
 
'''priêst
 
'''jést
 
'''lést
 
'''nést
 
'''vést
 
'''wést
 
'''lôwest
 
'''ángst
 
'''râcist
 
.*fáshist fáscist
 
líst
 
sôshə- sôcialist
 
týpist
 
gríst
 
K- Chrîst
 
-k- Gílchríst
 
insíst
 
consíst
 
persíst
 
exíst
 
whîlst
 
cóst
 
''dusty'' dúst = ''archaic do'' dòst
 
hôst
 
ghôst
 
lóst
 
fŏremôst
 
úppermôst
 
òutermôst
 
pôst
 
fïrst
 
thïrst
 
wörst
 
cürsed rhymes with bürst
 
hürst
 
búst
 
lôcust
 
lúst
 
trúst
 
cýst
 
ánalýst
 
cátalýst
 
more common in family names like Péttitt and Sénnett (= sénate house) than in ordinary words: -tt
 
ẁatt
 
''head'' bútt
 
Àrgonaut
 
cóz- cósmonaut
 
ástronaut
 
júggernaut
 
''however'' bút
 
cút
 
jút
 
glút
 
slút
 
nút
 
òut
 
gòut
 
clòut
 
pòut
 
tòut
 
.*impùt ínput
 
rút
 
neŵt
 
nòwt
 
séxed rhymes with néxt
 
téxt
 
cān’t
 
shān’t
 
hádn’t
 
nêedn’t
 
dídn’t
 
.*cùdənt coùldn’t
 
.*shùdənt shoùldn’t
 
.*wùdənt woùldn’t
 
àren’t
 
dãren’t
 
wëren’t
 
háven’t
 
âin’t
 
dôn’t
 
''habit'' wônt = ''will'' wôn’t
 
.*házzənt hásn’t
 
.*wózzənt ẁasn’t
 
.*dúzzənt dòesn’t
 
.*ízzənt ísn’t
 
.*åwtənt ŏughtn’t
 
.*mússənt mústn’t
 
.*mîtənt mìghtn’t
 
===U, V, W===
.*táblô '''tábleau
 
.*byoôrô '''bûreau
 
.*troôssô '''troûsseau
 
.*pláttô '''pláteau
 
silent '''u''' in '''Guinea'''; -ssòw '''Guínea Bíssàù'''
 
''illness'' '''flû
 
.*êemyoô '''êmû
 
'''cáriboû
 
'''gùrû
 
-óff '''Gorbachev
 
-nyéff '''Brézhnev
 
along with many other such Slavonic names, -'''ov''' as -óff (such words were once spelt -off) '''Chékhov
 
'''guffåw
 
'''jåw
 
'''låw
 
'''clåw
 
''animal'' '''påw
 
'''dråw
 
''see, wood'' '''såw
 
''little'' '''feŵ''' = ''relief'' '''pheŵ
 
'''Jeŵ
 
'''neŵ
 
''therefore'' '''sô''' =  ''needle'' '''sew
 
'''dreŵ
 
''me'' '''yoû'''  = ''sheep''  '''eŵe''' = ''tree''  '''yeŵ
 
''Street'' '''Bôw''' = ''ribbon'' '''bôw
 
''incline'' '''bòw
 
'''còw
 
(some say -'''òw''') '''Móscôw
 
'''Dòw
 
'''wíndôw
 
'''hòw
 
'''lôw
 
'''belôw
 
'''flôw
 
'''allòw
 
-'''llôw
 
'''fállow
 
'''ẁallow
 
'''sẁallow
 
'''béllow
 
'''féllow
 
'''méllow
 
'''yéllow
 
'''bíllow
 
'''píllow
 
'''fóllow
 
'''hóllow
 
'''môw
 
'''nòw
 
''negative'' '''nô''' = ''knowledge'' '''knôw
 
''line'' '''rôw
 
''argue'' '''ròw
 
'''grôw
 
'''thrôw
 
'''pròw
 
'''árrôw
 
'''bárrôw
 
'''fárrôw
 
'''hárrôw
 
'''nárrôw
 
'''spárrôw
 
''needle'' '''sew''' = ''seeds'' '''sôw
 
''pig'' '''sòw
 
''foot'' '''tôe''' = ''pull'' '''tôw
 
'''stôw
 
'''bestôw
 
'''vòw
 
===X===
''data'' '''fácts''' = ''machine'' '''fáx
 
''hasn’t'' '''lácks''' = ''careless'' '''láx
 
'''côax
 
'''hôax
 
'''wáx
 
''dúst'' '''flécks'''  = ''cord'' '''fléx
 
'''rêflex
 
'''cïrcumflex
 
'''véx
 
'''fíx
 
'''míx
 
'''síx
 
''high'' '''jínks''' = ''curse'' '''jínx
 
'''mínx
 
'''quíncunx
 
'''lýnx
 
'''phárynx
 
'''óx
 
'''bóx
 
''person'' '''Cóx''' = ''boat'' '''cóx
 
'''páradóx
 
'''ŏrthodóx
 
'''flúmmox
 
''plural'' -lôz '''tábleaux
 
''plural'' -rôz '''bûreaux
 
'''flúx
 
'''crúx
 
===Y===
after a consonant, mostly -'''ỳ'''
 
as a suffix, may be pronounced -dỳ in days of the week such as '''Mònday''' - '''dây
 
'''bïrthday
 
'''hóliday
 
'''Frîday
 
'''wêekday
 
'''wörkday
 
'''Mònday
 
'''Súnday
 
'''todây
 
'''yésterday


'''Sáturday
Páramour, enámoured, flîghty, 
:Épisôdes, antípodês,
       
:Ácquiésce, and óbsequies.


''doom'' '''doômsday''' = ''book'' '''Domesday
Plêase dôn't mònkey wíth the gêyser,


'''Wédnesday
Dôn't pêel 'tâters wíth mŷ râzor,


'''Tûesday
:Rāther sây ín áccents pûre:
       
:Nâture, státure ánd matûre.


'''Thürsday
Pîous, ímpìous, límb, clîmb, glúmly,


'''Mâyday
Worsted (wùsted), wörsted, crúmbly, dúmbly,
 
:Cónquer, cónquest, vàse, phâse, fán,
       
:Ẁan, sedán and àrtisan.
The TH (*têe-âitch) wíll sůrely troúble you


'''hèyday
Mŏre than R, CH ŏr W (*àh, cêe-âitch ŏr doúble-û)


''elf'' '''fèy''' = ''person'' '''Fây
:Sây thén thêse phonétic géms:
       
:Thómas, thŷme, Therêsa, Thames (*Témz).


'''gây
Thómpson, Chátham, Wåltham, Stréatham,


'''hây
Thére are mŏre but Î forgét 'em -
       
:Wâit! Î've gót ít: Ánthony,
       
:Lîghten yŏur anxîety.


'''clây
Thê archâíc wörd ålbêít


'''delây
Does nót rhŷme wíth èight - yoû sêe ít; 
 
:Wíth and fŏrthwith, òne hás vŏice,  
'''plây
 
'''displây
 
''verb'' '''mây''' = ''month'' '''Mây
 
'''sây
 
.*Línzy '''Líndsay
 
'''daresây
 
'''hêarsay
 
'''stây
 
cf. place names in -'''aî''' - *Páragwŷe '''Páraguaŷ
 
.*Yûrəgwŷe '''Ûruguaŷ
 
''weight'' '''wèigh''' = ''how'' '''wây
 
'''awày
 
verb is two words '''breâkaway
 
verb is two words '''rúnaway
 
verb is two words '''gétaway
 
'''Gålway
 
''cricket, farewell'' '''bŷe''' = ''2'' '''bî'''- = ''preposition'' '''bŷ
 
'''bâby
 
'''cábbie''' and words in -'''ábby''' rhyme with '''Gáby
 
'''lúllabŷ
 
''abbot'' '''ábbey''' = ''persons'' '''Àbbey''' = '''Ábby
 
'''shábby
 
'''flábby
 
'''tábby
 
'''lóbby
 
'''lâybŷ
 
''sight'' '''sêe''' = -'''sỳ''' = -'''cỳ
 
'''Mâcy
 
'''râcy
 
cf. '''hypócrisy''' - '''thêócracy'''
 
cf. '''hypócrisy''' - '''demócracy'''
 
.*byurócracy '''bureaucracy
 
'''áccuracy
 
cf. ''verb'' '''próphesŷ''' - ''noun'' '''próphecỳ
 
'''nŏrmalcy
 
'''fáncy
 
'''chāncy
 
'''nécrománcy
 
''person'' Náncy
 
''France'' Nàncy
 
'''discrépancy
 
'''téndency
 
'''cúrrency
 
'''constítuency
 
'''shâdy
 
'''lâdy
 
'''trágedy
 
'''cómedy
 
'''përfidy
 
'''súbsidy
 
''persons'' Àbbey = Ábby = ''abbot'' '''ábbey
 
'''obèy
 
''person'' '''Fây''' = ''whimsy'' '''fèy
 
'''Hárringây''' = '''Háringèy'''
 
'''thèy
 
'''whèy
 
'''kêy
 
cf. '''lúcky''' - '''láckêy
 
'''hóckey
 
'''dónkêy
 
'''mònkêy
 
'''lèy
 
állêy
 
válley
 
trólley
 
fólly rhymes with vólley
 
jóckêy
 
dónkêy
 
mònkêy
 
''nest, cart'' = drây ''cart'' drèy
 
Jéffrêy
 
ósprêy or ósprèy
 
cf. invèigh - convèy
 
purvèy
 
'''Hàrvêy
 
-zy '''Jërsêy
 
'''íffy
 
'''jíffy
 
'''stúffy
 
'''símplifŷ
 
'''mágnifŷ
 
'''vérifŷ
 
'''goôfy
 
'''dódgy
 
'''pódgy
 
-jy '''strátegy
 
'''fóggy
 
-njỳ -'''ngy
 
-jy '''mângy
 
-jy '''díngy
 
-ləjỳ -'''logy
 
jêó- '''geólogy
 
sôsh- '''sociólogy
 
-jy '''astrólogỳ
 
-jy '''énergy
 
-jy '''sýnergy
 
-jy '''líturgy
 
.*díng-y '''dínghy
 
.*dôwy '''dôughy
 
jó- '''geógraphy
 
cf. '''catástrophê''', '''apóstrophê''' - '''trôphy
 
'''átrophy
 
voiced '''th''', cf. '''thîgh''', unvoiced, same vowel sound '''thŷ
 
telépathy
 
sýmpathy
 
lêaky
 
tácky
 
cf. '''jóckey''' - '''lúcky
 
'''plúcky
 
'''pôky
 
'''âbly
 
próbably
 
regréttably
 
nó- knóbbly
 
fêebly
 
vísibly
 
respónsibly
 
''dumb'' *dúmly dúmbly
 
''crumble'' crúmbly
 
nôbly
 
cf. bâsically - públicly
 
admíttedly
 
'''lîkely
 
two '''l'''s pronounced - '''sôlely
 
'''delíberately
 
'''complêtely
 
'''prîmãrily
 
'''necessãrily
 
'''temporãrily
 
'''militãrily
 
'''momentãrily
 
-z- '''êasily
 
'''quíckly
 
cf,'''állêy''' - '''állŷ
 
cf. '''públicly''' - '''económically
 
'''tópically
 
'''bâsically
 
'''mûsically
 
'''illêgally
 
'''víscerally
 
'''incidéntally
 
'''tôtally
 
''mostly female'' '''Bíllie''' = ''either'' '''Bílly
 
two '''l'''’s pronounced '''shrílly
 
'''sílly
 
[[minimal pair]]: '''vólley''' rhymes with '''fólly
 
two '''l'''’s pronounced '''whôlly
 
two '''l'''’s pronounced '''coôlly
 
two '''l'''’s pronounced '''dúlly
 
'''fùlly
 
'''replŷ
 
'''ëarly
 
'''dêarly
 
'''nêarly
 
'''pëarly
 
'''cléverly
 
'''fãirly
 
'''bürly
 
'''vígorously
 
AmE evidéntly BrE évidently
 
'''áptly
 
'''trûly
 
'''Âmy
 
'''astrónomy
 
'''gá'''- '''gastrónomy
 
'''autónomy
 
cf. '''epítomê''' - '''hysteréctomy
 
.*énny '''any
 
.*ménny '''many
 
'''zâny
 
'''prógeny
 
'''shîny
 
'''Plíny
 
cf. ''tin'' '''tínny''' - ''small'' '''tîny
 
'''whîny
 
'''Jénnie''' = '''Jénny
 
'''Kénny
 
'''Lénnie''' = '''Lénny
 
'''Pénny''' = '''pénny
 
'''Jóhnnie''' = '''Jóhnny
 
'''Dónny
 
'''fúnny
 
'''súnny
 
BrE '''o''' as schwa, AmE -'''môny
 
BrE *hígémony (hard '''g'''), AmE *héjəmôny '''hegemony
 
'''îrony
 
'''pôny
 
'''Tôny
 
'''misógyny
 
'''bŏy
 
'''jŏy
 
'''tŏy
 
'''álloy
 
'''annŏy
 
'''háppy                                                                           
 
AmE, when stressed syllable does not come immediately before it, -'''ãry''' or -éry, cf. -'''ery'''; BrE '''a''' as AmE or as schwa or silent; see also -'''ory''' - -'''ary
      
      
'''Cãry
:Òne hás nót, yoû mâke yŏur chŏice.


'''Gáry
Shoes (=shoôs), gôes, dòes. Nòw fïrst sây: fínger;
Thén sây: sínger, gínger, línger.
       
:Rêal, zêal, mauve (*môv), gåuze and gâuge,
       
:Márríage, fôlìage, mìràge, âge,


-shəry '''judíciary
Hêro, héron, quêry, véry,


'''vocábulary
Párry, tárry, fûry, bury,
     
:Dòst, lóst, pôst, and dòth, clóth, lôth,
       
:Jób, Jôb, blóssom, bosom (*bùzm), ôath.
Fåugh, oppúgnant, kêen oppûgners,


'''canãry
Bòwing, bôwing, bánjo-tûners


'''gránary
:Hôlm yoû knôw, but nôes, canoes (*canoôz),


'''díctionary
:Pûisnê (*poôny), trûísm, ûse (*yoûss), to ûse (*yoûz)?


lîbrary
Thôugh the dífference sêems líttle,


nécessary
Wê sây áctual, but víctual,


líterary
Sêat, swéat, châste, càste, Lêigh, èight, heîght,
       
:Pùt, nút, gránite, ánd unîte.


suppleméntary
:Rêefer dòes nót rhŷme wíth déafer,


documéntary
Féoffer dòes, and zéphyr, héifer.     
       
:Dúll bùll Géoffrey, Geŏrge ate (*ét) lâte,
       
:Hínt, pînt, sénate, but sedâte.


Jánuary
Gáelic, Árabic, pacífic, —''Scottish; or regular Gâelic if Irish


Fébruary
Scîence, cónscience, scientífic;
       
:Toûr, but òur, doûr, súccour, fŏur,


vãry
:Gás, alás, and Àrkansås.


wãry
Sây manoeûvre, yacht (*yót) and vómit,


crŷ
Néxt omít, whích díffers fróm ít


'''gímmickry''' rhymes with '''mímicry
:Bôna fîdê, álibî


drŷ
:Gŷrate, dòwry ánd awrŷ.
   
Sêa, idêa, guínea, ãrêa,


tåwdry
Psàlm, Marìa, bút malãria.


mostly e as schwa: can sound like -ry in BrE -ery
:Yoûth, sòuth, soúthern, cléanse and clêan,


físhery
:Dóctrine, türpentine, marìne.


fîery
Compãre âlien wíth Itálian,


bâkery
Dándelîon wíth battálion,


coòkery
:Rálly wíth állŷ; yeâ, yê,
 
:Eŷe, Î, ây, aŷe, whèy, kêy, quaỳ! ''—ây mê, archaic expression of sadness, ây = èh


sh- chicânery
Sây avër, but éver, fêver,


''paper'' stâtionary = ''stop'' stâtionery
Neîther, léisure, skèin, recêiver.     
:Néver guéss - ít ís nót sâfe,
     
:Wê sây càlves, válves, hālf, but Râlf.


conféctionery
Stàrry, gránary, canãry,


míz- '''mísery
Crévice, but devîce, and éyrie,
       
:Fâce, but préface, thén grimâce,


'''cürsory''' rhymes with '''nürsery
:Phlégm, phlegmátic, áss, glāss, bâss.


'''cémetery
Báss, làrge, tàrget, gín, gíve, vërging,


'''quêry
Ŏught, òust, jòust, and scòur, but scoürging;


'''véry
:Êar, but ëarn; and ére and téar


'''brâvery
:Do (*doô=) nót rhŷme wíth hêre but héir.       
Mînd thê Ô of óff and óften


'''recòvery
Whích mây bê pronòunced as ŏrphan, ''—scarcely heard nowadays
       
:Wíth the sòund of såw and såuce;


'''discòvery
:Ålsô sóft, lóst, clóth and cróss.


'''quêry
Pùdding, púddle, pùtting. Pútting?


'''frŷ
Yés: at gôlf ít rhŷmes wíth shútting.


'''bélfry
:Réspîte, spîte, consént, resént.
       
:Lîable, but Pàrliament.


'''ángry
Séven ís rîght, but sô ís êven,


'''húngry
Hŷphen, roúghen, néphew, Stêphen,     
       
:Mònkey, dónkey, clerk (=Clàrk) and jërk,
       
:Ásp, grāsp, ẁasp, demèsne, cŏrk, wörk.


'''mímicry''' rhymes with '''gímmickry
 of válour, vápid vâpour,


'''gŏry
S of neŵs (-z) (compãre neŵspâper (-ss-)),
       
:G of gíbbet (j-), gíbbon, gíst (j-),
       
:Î of ántichrîst and gríst,


'''glŏry
Díffer like divërse and dîvers,


compúlsory
Rívers, strîvers, shívers, fîvers.


nürsery rhymes with cürsory
:Ònce, but nónce, tôll, dóll, but rôll,


Tŏry
:Pólish, Pôlish, póll and pôll.  
 
usually pronounced -trỳ in BrE -tory
Pronúnciation - thínk of Psŷchê! -
 
oblígatory
Ís a pâling, stòut and spîky.  
 
       
óratory
:Wôn't ít mâke yoû lose (=loôs) yŏur wíts
 
       
AmE láboratŏry, BrE labóratory
:Wrîting grôats and sâying 'gríts'? —''no longer
 
satisfáctory
 
réctory
 
diréctory
 
trajéctory
 
dŏrmitory
 
stŏry
 
hístory
 
prŷ
 
Bárry
 
''person'' Cárrie = ''fetch'' cárry
 
Hárry
 
márry
 
''earth'' burỳ = ''fruit'' bérry
 
as suffix, AmE -bérry, BrE -brêe bláckberry
 
blûeberry
 
AmE rázb-, BrE ràzb- rāspberry
 
stråwberry
 
lórry
 
sórry
 
AmE '''wörry''', BrE '''wòrry
 
'''cúrry
 
'''fürry
 
'''húrry
 
'''trŷ
 
'''påltry
 
'''pléasantry
 
'''péasantry
 
'''bígotry
 
'''áncestry
 
'''sóphistry
 
ké- '''chémistry
 
''fruit'' '''bérrỳ''' = ''earth'' '''bury
 
'''Dûry
 
'''Drûry
 
'''lúxury
 
mostly = -'''cỳ''' -'''sỳ
 
-zêe '''êasy
 
-sêe '''grêasy
 
-zêe '''quêasy
 
like '''demócracy, thêócracy''' all -ssy '''idiosýncrasy
 
-sêe '''écstasy
 
-zêe '''chêesy
 
cf. ''noun'' '''próphecỳ''' -sêe - ''verb'' '''próphesŷ
 
-sêe '''héresy'''
 
'''demócracy''' and '''thêócracy''' rhyme with '''hypócrisy
 
'''léprosy
 
-sêe '''émbassy
 
-sêe '''fússy
 
'''dízzy''' rhymes with *bízzy '''busy
 
-sêe '''jéalousy
 
-zêe '''Sûzy''' = '''Sûsie''' = '''Sûzie''' = '''Sûsy
 
entîrety
 
cíty
 
felícity
 
stupídity
 
reálity
 
cf. spécialty - speciálity
 
mentálity
 
facílity
 
relîabílity
 
flexibílity
 
celébrity
 
iníquity
 
antíquity
 
fêalty
 
cf. speciálity - spécialty
 
lŏyalty
 
rŏyalty
 
crûelty
 
silent h - hónesty
 
thïrsty
 
Kïrsty
 
''goodbye, cricket'' bŷe = ''preposition'' bŷ = ''money'' buŷ
 
nâvy
 
wâvy
 
bévy
 
cf. lévêe, Lêvî - Lêvy
 
îvy
 
prívy
 
'''ánchovy
 
'''scürvy
 
'''sávvy
 
'''cívvy
 
'''skívvy
 
deŵy
 
wáxy
 
fóxy
 
slêazy
 
dâzy
 
hâzy
 
lâzy
 
crâzy
 
whêezy
 
dízzy
 
===Z===
'''bíz'''
 
'''whízz''' or '''whíz'''
 
'''quíz'''
 
'''Óz'''
 
'''jázz'''
 
'''razzmatázz'''
 
'''pizzázz'''
 
'''fízz'''
 
'''búzz'''
 
'''fúzz'''
 
'''zzzz'''
 
==Double letters==
The following alphabetical table shows examples of how letters can be doubled in English.
 
Double letters before suffixes are used to preserve short vowel sounds as in flípped (not *flîped), rebélled (not *rebêled) and pégged (not pêged, which would probably in any case be pronounced pêjed).  Compare scrâped, past of scrâpe, and scrápped, from scráp. In the case of t, doubling it after an unstressed vowel and before a suffix seems unnecessary, but in some cases it doubles before -ed: either tàrgeted or tàrgetted.
 
The sign # indicates a double letter that is rare in that position; capital-letter words indicate that the double letter in this position is only found in names. An asterisk (*) indicates a respelling to show pronunciation and an equals sign (=) introduces a [[homophone]].
{|class="wikitable"
|-
!letter
!initial
!medial
!final
!final + silent e
|-
|a
|àardvark #<ref>'''àardvark''' and '''Transvàal''' are from '''[[Afrikaans|Afrikàans]]''', itself a further example.</ref>
|Transvàal #
|bàa #
|
|-
|b
|
|ríbbon
|ébb #
|Crábbe
|-
|c
|
|sóccer (*sócker), accépt (*əxépt)
|
|
|-
|d
|
|hídden
|ádd
|
|-
|e
|êel
|bêen
|sêe
|
|-
|f
|
|éffort
|clíff
|Clíffe
|-
|g
|
|aggréssion
|égg #
|Légge (= lég)
|-
|h
|
|hítchhike # (accidental)
|
|
|-
|i
|
|skìíng #
|Hawàìi #
|
|-
|j
|
|
|hàjj # (also spelt hàdj)
|
|-
|k
|
|púkka #<ref> Also accidental in '''boòkkeeper''', with a pause to indicate both k’s are pronounced.</ref>
|
|
|-
|l
|llàma #
|fílling
|wéll
|bélle
|-
|m
|
|súmmer
|Crámm
|grámme
|-
|n
|
|dínner
|ínn # ''pub''
|Ánne (= Ánn)
|-
|o
|oôze, oòmph #
|foôd, foòt, flòod, [[British English|BrE]] doŏr
|toô
|Loôe (= loô)
|-
|p
|
|flípped
|
|
|-
|q
|
|Sadìqqi #
|
|
|-
|r
|
|érror
|pürr
|
|-
|s
|
|méssy
|lóss
|crevásse
|-
|t
|
|bétter
|ẁatt
|couchétte -sh-
|-
|u
|
|vácuum # (*vákyoôm)
|
|
|-
|v
|
|flívver #
|
|
|-
|w
|
|
|
|
|-
|x
|
|[[Exxon|Éxxon]] ™ #
|[[Bob B. Soxx and the Blue Jeans|Bób B. Sóxx]] #
|
|-
|y
|
|[[Omar Khayyam|Khayyàm]] #
|
|
|-
|z
|
|fízzy
|búzz
|
|}
 
==Table of accents==
These accents are intended to show the pronunciation while retaining the spelling: they are not part of the language. Those on '''i''' and '''y''' show the same sound; similarly with '''u''', '''oo''' and '''w'''.  Accented vowels are stressed ('''ỳ''' is normally unstressed, as in '''háppy''').  '''ā''', not in the table, means that the sound is '''à''' in British English and '''á''' in American.
{|class="wikitable"
|rowspan=2|
|colspan=3 align=center|'''Front vowels
|colspan=5 align=center|'''Back vowels
|-
!e
!i       
!y<ref>When not accented, it is usually the semi-consonant of '''yoû''' and '''yés'''.</ref>
!a
!o
!u
!oo
!w<ref>When not accented, it is usually the semi-consonant of '''wê''' and '''wíll'''.</ref>
|-
|width=36%|The typical short sound:
|width=8%|pét
|width=8%|pít
|width=8%|crýpt
|width=8%|cát
|width=8%|dóg<ref>In American English this short British sound is replaced by the longer '''à''' in most positions, and by '''ŏ''' before '''r'''.</ref>
|width=8%|nút
|width=8%|
|width=8%|
|-
|The typical long sound, corresponding to the names of the letters A, E, I, O and U:
|sêe
|nîce
|mŷ
|nâme
|nôse
|tûne
|toô
|neŵ
|-
|The 'third' sound ('''ẁ'''- and '''qù'''- indicate the ó sound of the following '''a''', '''ẁad''' rhyming with '''qùad'''; '''òu''' and '''òw''' are diphthongs sounding like '''àù''' in '''àùtobahn''': '''nòw''' has this '''sòund'''):
|èight
|machìne
|quaỳ ''water'' = keỳ (kêy) ''lock''
|àre
|òther
|fùll, qùantity
|foòt
|ẁant<ref>Grave accents on '''w''' and on a '''u''' following a '''q''' indicate the sound of the following '''a''': '''à''' in American English, but in British the extra sound '''ó''' as in the British pronunciation of '''hót'''.</ref>
|-
|The '''ër''' sound, as in '''ër, Î dôn’t thínk sô''':
|përson
|bïrd
|mÿrtle
|
|wörd
|pürr
|
|
|-
|The '''ŏr''' sound, as in '''thís ŏr thát''' (also used for '''cŏin''' and '''jŏy'''):
|
|
|
|såw
|mŏre
|(for some BrE speakers) sůre
|
|
|-
|The '''ãir''' sound, as in '''frésh ãir''':
|(thére)
|
|
|stãre
|
|
|
|
|-
|Irregular (with respelling):
|sęw (ô)
|merįngue (á)
|
|becąuse (ó)
|wǫman (ù)
|bųsiness (í)
|
|
|}
===Example sentences===
''Words without accents have the [[schwa]] sound, a neutral grunt.''
 
''The usual short sound:''
 
The gínger cát was jéalous of the bláck cát: howéver, the tábby was a véry dífferent mátter - the stúff of réveries, ín fáct.
 
''The usual long sound:''
 
Sây mŷ nâme thrêe tîmes with stŷle and Î’ll gô and fînd a tûne to plây for yoû.
 
''The third sound:''


Christìna Grèy shoùld lòve her mòther and fàther (and dòes).
Ìt's a dàrk abýss ŏr túnnel


''The ‘ër’ sound:''
Streŵn wíth stônes lîke rôwlock, gúnwale,


But fïrst, Mÿrtle, fürther dïrty, ïrksome and distürbing wörk for the nürses.
:Íslington, and Îsle of Wîght,  
       
:Hòusewîfe, vërdíct and indîct.  


''The ‘ŏr’ sound (sůre here is with [[British English|British]] pronunciation = Shåw):''
Dôn't yoû thínk sô, rêader, ràther,


Sůre yoû ŏught to cråwl ón åll fŏurs, m’lŏrd?
Sâying làther, bâther, fàther?     
       
:Fînally, whích rhŷmes wíth enoúgh,
       
:Thôugh, throûgh, bòugh, cóugh, hóugh, sòugh, toúgh??  


''Irregular, with respelling:''
Hiccoúgh hás the sòund of súp.


Many women? Any woman! (pronounced: *Ménny *wímmin? *Énny *wùman!)
Mŷ advîce ís: GÍVE ÍT ÚP!


==Notes==
==Notes==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}

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A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Use in English
Alphabetical word list
Retroalphabetical list  
Common misspellings  

English is notorious for its many varied, inconsistent and irregular spellings. This can be seen at its most extravagant in the field of proper nouns—for example, simply adding an 'h' to 'Maria' to make it rhyme with 'pariah', or calling oneself 'Cholmondeley Featherstonehaugh' while pronouncing it 'Chumley Fanshaw'. An example of a common misspelling is 'disasterous' for 'disastrous', retaining the 'e' of 'disaster'. Many words do not turn out to have the pronunciation they appear to have: 'do' and 'to' do not rhyme with 'go' and 'no', while 'seismic', instead of being 'seezmic' or 'sayzmic', or even 'sayizmic', is in fact 'size-mic'. The above grid (reproduced and explained below) provides links to three lists and a cluster of articles devoted to these things.

To show pronunciation, these articles use correct spellings with added accent marks, instead of relying on the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). In some cases incorrect respellings are placed next to the correct ones, signalled by a preceding asterisk, like thís *thíss. The accent marks show pronunciation, thús. A table of these accents (which are not part of the language[1]) can be found below; there is also an IPA key at English phonemes. Where there is more than one accent, the first is stressed, and the same is true after a hyphen, so in the respelling of Tchaikóvsky, *Chŷ-kóffskỳ, it is 'kóff' that has the main stress. (Another way of showing new stress is with a bar: Tchaî|kóvsky.) A sentence from the preceding paragraph can thus be rewritten as follows: "An example of a common misspelling is *disāsterous for disāstrous, retaining the E of disāster." Respelling may be used to exemplify an incorrect spelling, or show a correct pronunciation, or a bit of both. Unlike the IPA, where there can only be one version per pronunciation, as there must be an unambiguous one-to-one correspondence, there can be many respellings: if *disāsterous for disāstrous is a common mistake, we can also represent the pronunciation as *dizāstrus or *dizāstrous or *dizāstrəss (with 'ə', a special character – the only one used – for schwa); or we can contrast British English *dizàstrus with American *dizástrus.

Particular attention is given to homophones, words with the same pronunciation but different meanings. English is rich in homophones, many of which are also homonyms, having also the same spelling, as, for example, cán able, tin (the italicised words suggest meanings, in this case two); while homographs are words with the same spelling whose meanings are distinguished by different pronunciations.

Also of special note are words that many writers incorrectly divide. ôver and dûe, for example, combine to form overdûe, without a space in the middle. Such examples are included with ‘one word’ alongside them: alongsîde one word.

An equals sign = is placed between homophones (in some cases the approximately equals sign ≈ is more appropriate). Homographs and other similar-looking words are included after 'cf.' (Latin conferre, 'compare').

Some words from other languages, in most cases French, may sometimes appear in English with accents from those languages. Here, such spellings are shown using bold italics: touchè may be written with a French accent: touché *tooshây.

The apostrophe is an important part of spelling and so it is treated as a letter, with its own place at the end of the alphabet.

Fragments of words are in bold when correctly spelt: Ukrâine has -âine, not -âne.

Words in italics are used to suggest meanings (e.g. sêa water = sêe vision, where the equals sign denotes identical pronunciation). Words beginning with an initial capital may have no word in italics following: these are names of people, either personal or family, and/or commercial or place names. Such words are included because they often contrast with the spellings of homophones: a bank clerk might be named Clàrk or Clàrke, but probably not 'Clerk' (though BrE clerk = Clàrk/Clàrke). Unusual spellings can be explained by regular ones: Cloúgh = Clúff. An American called Maurìce Mŏrris could just as well be called Mórris Maurice ("Morris Morris") in Britain, where Maurice = Mórris (although it would be putting the conventional surname before the conventional given name).

Links to letter articles and lists

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Use in English
Alphabetical word list
Retroalphabetical list  
Common misspellings  

In the navigation table above (reproduced at the top of each article in the cluster) the cells in each row link as follows:

  • Top row: articles on each letter and its use in English. There are similar articles on GH, the apostrophe and the hyphen.
  • Second row: alphabetical lists of of commonly misspelt and/or mispronounced words, alongside more regular words they may be confused with (words beginning with an apostrophe are here). Some incorrect spellings are also listed, signalled by an asterisk: *dispánd disbánd means that the word is 'disband'. (The bottom row is devoted entirely to misspellings and typos.)
  • Third row: retroalphabetical lists, arranged alphabetically according to the final letter of the word and continuing backwards through it:
In the retroalphabetical lists the headword is on the right. In this way, suffixes and other word endings can be seen grouped together, just as prefixes can be seen in normal alphabetical order. So, instead of ádd båll coúsin, we have réplicA fláB plástiC; and so for mûsiC, see under -C, for mûsicaL, see under -L, for pàrticlE, see under -E, and so on.
Some suffixes are included separately; their pronunciation may or may not apply to following words ("always -ãrian" means there is no other pronunciation of -ãrian).
Throughout, the apostrophe is treated as the last letter, after Z. (Words ending in an apostrophe are also here.)
For clarity, italic association words are to the left of the example word:
woman mâid = make mâde
Some incorrect spellings are listed retroalphabetically, in which case the misspelling goes on the right, just as in the alphabetical list:
wêasel *wêasal
  • Bottom row: common misspellings including typos (blue-linked for checking purposes), followed by the correct versions.

Two main varieties are distinguished: British English (BrE), that of the UK and much of the Commonwealth (see also Commonwealth English), and American English (AmE), that of the USA and Canada (without the cåught = cót merger that has occurred in some parts of North America).

Unlike dictionaries, the lists include personal and place names for their own sake and for contrast.

Table of accents

These accents are intended to show the pronunciation while retaining the spelling: they are not part of the language. Those on i and y show the same sound; similarly with u, oo and w. Accented vowels are stressed ( is normally unstressed, as in háppy). ā, not in the table, means that the sound is à in standard British and Commonwealth pronunciations but á in American and other British and Commonwealth speech.

Front vowels Back vowels
e i y[2] a o u oo w[3]
The typical short sound, never occurring at the end of a word (acute accent) pét pít crýpt cát dóg[4] nút
The typical long sound, corresponding to the names of the letters A, E, I, O and U (circumflex accent) sêe nîce nâme nôse rûle toô neŵ
Sounds shown with the grave accent (- and - indicate the BrE ó sound of the following a, ẁad rhyming with qùad; òu and òw are diphthongs sounding like àù in àùtobahn: nòw has this sòund) èight (= â) machìne (= ê) quaỳ water = kêỳ lock
(= ê)
àre òther, blòod
(= ú)
fùll (= oò), qùantity (= w) foòt (= ù) ẁant (= wó)[5]
The ër sound (umlaut accent) përson bïrd mÿrtle (ëarth) wörd pürr
The åw/ŏr sound (ring accent)[6] (cŏin) (jŏy) åll mŏre (for some BrE speakers) sůre
The ãir sound (tilde accent) (thére) (ãir = Ãyr) stãre
Irregular (respelling needed) sew (= ) meringue (*məráng) because (*bikóz) woman (*wùmən), women (*wímən) business (*bízníss)

Example sentences

These sentences show how the accents may be used, for example, when teaching pronunciation. Words without accents are monosyllables with the schwa sound, a neutral grunt.

The usual short sound, acute accent:

The gínger cát was jéalous of the bláck cát: howéver, the tábby was a véry dífferent mátter - the stúff of réveries, ín fáct.

The usual long sound, circumflex accent:

Sây mŷ nâme thrêe tîmes with stŷle and Î’ll gô and fînd a tûne to plây for yoû.

The third sound, grave accent:

Christìna Grèy shoùld (and dòes?) lòve her mòther and fàther.

The ër sound, umlaut:

But fïrst, Mÿrtle, fürther dïrty, ïrksome and distürbing wörk for the nürses.

The ŏr sound (sůre here is with British pronunciation = Shåw), the ring, or half-ring:

Sůre yoû ŏught to cråwl ón åll fŏurs, m’lŏrd?

Irregular, without accent, instead with respelling:

Many women? Any woman! (pronounced: *Ménny wímmin? Énny wùman!)

Double letters

The following alphabetical table shows examples of how letters can be doubled in English.

Double consonant letters before suffixes are used (as often elsewhere) to preserve short vowel sounds, as in flípped (not *flîped), rebélled (not *rebêled) and pégged (not *pêged, which if regular would in any case be pronounced *pêjed). Compare scrâped, past of scrâpe, and scrápped, from scráp. In the case of t, doubling it after an unstressed vowel and before a suffix may seem unnecessary, but in some cases it can be doubled before -ed: either tàrgeted or tàrgetted (but always commítted).

The sign # indicates a double letter that is rare in that position; capital-letter words indicate that the double letter in this position is only found in names. An asterisk (*) indicates a respelling to show pronunciation, and an equals sign (=) introduces a homophone.

letter initial medial final final + silent e
A àardvark #[7] bazàar # bàa #
B ríbbon ébb # Crábbe (= cráb)
C sóccer (*sócker), accépt (*əxépt)
D hídden ádd
E êel bêen sêe
F Ffoùlkes éffort óff Clíffe (= clíff)
G aggréssion (-g-), exággerate (-j-) égg # Légge (= lég)
H hítchhike # (accidental)
I skìíng # Hawàìi #
J hàjj # (also spelt hàdj)
K púkka; boòkkeeper (accidental)[8] #
L llàma[9] # fílling wéll bélle beauty (= béll ring)
M súmmer Crámm (= crám) grámme (= grám)
N dínner ínn # pub Ánne (= Ánn)
O oôze, oòmph # foôd, foòt, flòod, doŏr toô Loôe (= loô)
P flípped stéppe Asia # (= stép foot)
Q Sadìqqi #
R érror pürr
S méssy lóss crevásse
T bétter ẁatt couchétte -sh-
U vácuum # (*vákyoôm)
V révved #
W Lawwell # (accidental)
X Éxxon ™ # Bób B. Sóxx #
Y Khayyàm #
Z fízzy búzz

Names of the letters

The names of the letters of the alphabet are rarely written out in English (a simple capital being the normal usage: "with a C, not a K") so that, unlike in many other languages, most of their spellings have a rather unofficial status. But they can be shown as follows, using real words where possible:

A: â (the indefinite article, when stressed), èh? what?

B: exist, bêe sting

C: occasionally cêe; sêe look, sêa ship

D: Dêe River, surname

E: ê as in êmail, ê-mail

F: éff as in the euphemism éff óff

G: gêe up, exclamation *jêe

H: âitch as in drópping your âitches

I: Î me, eŷe vision

J: jây bird

K: Kây person

L: él elevated railway (AmE)

M: ém dash

N: én dash

O: ôwe debt, ôh! exclamation

P: pêa pod, pêe urine, p pence (BrE)

Q: queûe line, cûe ball, prompt

R: àre be, BrE àh exclamation

S: occasionally éss

T: têa drink, têe golf, do-re-mi

U: yoû me, eŵe sheep

V: Vêe Bobby

W: "doúble you" (*dúblyu; cf. vácûum, which actually does have a doúble Û)

X: éx- past

Y: whŷ reason (voiced w, as in BrE)

Z: BrE zéd, AmE zêe

The Chaos

by Gerard Nolst Trenité

This poem on pronunciation irregularities was first published in 1920. Accent marks, respellings and editorial comments have been added to reflect current British English pronunciation. The unadorned poem, with an introduction, can be found here.


The Châós (*câyóss)


Dêarest crêature ín creâtion

Stúdying English (*Ínglish) pronunciâtion,

Î wíll têach yoû ín mŷ vërse
Sòunds lîke cŏrpse, cŏrps (*cŏr), hŏrse and wörse.

Î wíll kêep yoû, Sûsy, busy (*bízzy),

Mâke yŏur héad wíth hêat grôw dízzy;

Têar ín eŷe, yŏur dréss yŏu'll téar;
Quêer, fãir sêer (*sêe-er), hêar mŷ prãyer.

Prây, consôle yŏur lòving pôet,

Mâke mŷ côat loòk neŵ, dêar, sew (=sô) ít!

Júst compãre heàrt, hêar and hëard,
Dîes and dîet (*dîət), lŏrd and wörd.

Swŏrd (*sŏrd) and swård, retâin and Brítain

[Mînd the látter hòw ít's wrítten].

Mâde hás nót the sòund of báde,
Sây–said (*séd), pây–pâid, lâid but pláid.

Nòw Î sůrely wíll nót plâgue yoû

Wíth súch wörds as vâgue and âgûe,

Bút bê cãreful hòw yoû spêak,
Sây: gúsh, bùsh, steâk, strêak, breâk, blêak,

Prêvious, précious, fûchsia (*feŵsha), vîa,

Récipê, pîpe, stúdding-sâil, choîr (=quîre);

Wôven, óven, hòw and lôw,
Scrípt, recêipt (*rissêet), shoe (=shoô), pôem, tôe.

Sây, expécting fråud and tríckerỳ:

Dåughter (*dåwter), làughter (*làfter) ánd Terpsíchorê (*Terpsíckery),

Brànch, rànch, mêasles, tópsails, aîsles (*îles),
Míssîles, símilês, revîles.

Whôlly (=hôly), hólly, sígnal, sîgning (*sîning),

Sâme, exámining, but mîning,

Schólar (*scóllar), vícar, and cigàr,
Sôlar, mîca, wår and fàr.

From "desîre": desîrable - ádmirable from "admîre",

Lúmber, plúmber, biêr, but brîer,

Tópsham, broûgham (*breŵəm), renòwn, but knôwn,
Knówledge, dòne, lône, góne, nòne, tône,

Òne (=wòn), anémonê, Balmóral,

Kítchen, lîchen (=lîken), låundry, laurel (lórrel).

Gërtrude, Gërman (J-), wínd and wînd,
Beau (=Bô), kînd, kíndred, queûe, mankînd,

Tŏrtoise (*tŏrtus), türquŏise, chámois-léather (*shámwà-),

Rêading, Réading, hêathen, héather.

Thís phonétic lábyrínth
Gíves móss, grôss, broòk, brôoch, nînth, plínth.

Háve yoû éver yét endéavoured

To (=toô)[10] pronòunce revêred and sévered,

Dêmon, lémon, ghoûl, fòul, sôul,
Pêter, pétrol and patrôl?

Bíllet dòes nót énd lîke bállèt (*bállây);

Boûquèt, ẁallet, mállet, chálèt.

Blòod and flòod are nót lîke foôd,
Nŏr ís môuld lîke shoùld and woùld (=woòd).

Bánquet ís nót nêarly pàrquèt,

Whích exáctly rhŷmes wíth khàkì. —not usually nowadays

Díscòunt, vîscòunt (*vîcòunt), lôad and brŏad,
Towård, to fŏrward, to (=toô) rewård,

Rícochèted and crôchèting, crôquèt?

Rîght! Yŏur pronunciâtion's OK.[11]

Ròunded, woûnded, griêve and síeve,
Friénd and fiênd, alîve and líve.

Ís yŏur R corréct ín hîgher?

Kêats assërts ít rhŷmes Thalîa.

Hûgh, but húg, and hoòd, but hoôt,
Buŏyant, mínute, bút minûte.

Sây abscíssion wíth precísion,

Nòw: posítion ánd transítion;

Woùld ít tálly wíth mŷ rhŷme
Íf Î méntioned páradîgm?

Twòpence, thréepence, têase are êasy,

But cêase, crêase, grêase and grêasy?

Cŏrnice, nîce, valìse, revîse,
Râbíes, but lúllabîes.

Óf súch púzzling wörds as nåuseous,

Rhŷming wéll wíth cåutious, tŏrtious,

Yoû'll envélop lísts, Î hôpe,
Ín a línen énvelôpe.

Woùld yoû lîke some mŏre? Yoû'll háve ít!

Áffidâvit, Dâvid, dávit.

To (=toô) abjûre, to përjure. Shèik
Dòes nót sòund lîke Czéch but âche.

Líberty, lîbrary, hêave and héaven,

Râchel, lóch, moustàche, eléven.

Wê sây hállôwed, bút allòwed,
Pêople, léopard, tôwed but vòwed.

Màrk the dífference, moreôver,

Betwêen mover (*moôver), plòver, Dôver.

Lêaches, brêeches, wîse, precîse,
Chálíce, bút polìce and lîce,

Cámel, cònstable, únstâble,

Prínciple, discîple, lâbel.

Pétal, pênal, and canál,
Wâit, surmîse, pláit, prómíse, pál,

Sûit, suìte, rûín. Cïrcuít, cónduít

Rhŷme wíth "shïrk ít" and "beyónd ít". —still?

Bút ít ís nót hàrd to téll
Whŷ ít's påll, måll, but Páll Máll.

Múscle, múscular, gâol (=jâil), îron,

Tímber, clîmber, búllion, lîon,

Wörm and stŏrm, chaise (*shézz), châós, chãir,
Sénator, spectâtor, mãyor,

Îvy, prívy, fâmous; clámour

Hás thê Â of dráchm and hámmer.

Pùssy, hússy ánd posséss,
Désert, but desërt, addréss.

Gôlf, wolf (=Woòlf), còuntenance, lieuténants

Hŏist ín lieû of flágs léft pénnants.

Coùrier, cŏurtier, tomb (*toôm), bómb, cômb,
Còw, but Cowper (=Coôper), sòme and hôme.

"Sôlder, sôldier! Blòod ís thícker",

Quôth hê, "than liqueûr ŏr líquor",

Mâking, ít ís sád but trûe,
Ín bravàdo, múch ado (*adoô).

Strânger dòes nót rhŷme wíth ánger,

Neîther dòes devòur wíth clángour. —neither does anger: *áng-gə

Pîlot, pívot, gåunt, but āunt,
Fónt, frònt, wônt, wånt, gránd and grānt.

Àrsenic, specífic, scênic,

Rélic, rhétoric, hygìênic.

Goòseberry, goôse, and clôse, but clôse,
Páradise, rîse, rôse, and dôse.

Sây invèigh, nèigh, but invêigle,

Mâke the látter rhŷme wíth êagle.

Mînd! Mêándering but mêan,
Válentîne and mágazìne.

Ánd Î bét yoû, dêar, a pénny,

Yoû sây máni-(fôld) lîke many (*ménny),

Whích ís wróng. Sây râpier, pìêr,
Tîer (òne who tîes), but tìêr.

Àrch, archângel; prây, dòes ërring

Rhŷme wíth hérring ŏr wíth stïrring?

Príson, bîson, tréasure trôve,
Trêason, hóver, còver, côve,

Persevêrance, séverance. Ríbald

Rhŷmes (but pîebåld dòesn't) wíth níbbled.

Phâeton, paêan, gnát, ghåt, gnåw,
Liên, psŷchic, shóne, bône, pshåw.

Dôn't bê dòwn, mŷ ôwn, but roúgh ít,

Ánd distínguish bùffèt, búffet;

Broôd, stoòd, roôf, roòk, schoôl, woòl, boôn,
Worcester (*Wùster), Boleýn, to (=toô) impûgn.

Sây ín sòunds corréct and stërling

Hëarse, hêar, heàrken, yêar and yëarling —yëar and yêarling are about as likely

Êvil, dévil, mézzotínt,

Mînd the Z (zéd)! (A géntle hínt.)

Nòw yoû nêed nót pây atténtion

To (=toô) súch sòunds as Î dôn't méntion,

Sòunds lîke pŏres, påuse, pŏurs and påws,
Rhŷming wíth the prônòun yŏurs;

Nŏr are próper nâmes inclûded,

Thôugh Î óften hëard, as yoû díd,

Fúnny rhŷmes to ûnicŏrn,
Yés, yoû knôw them, Våughan and Stråchan —nowadays regularised to *Strákhən

Nô, mŷ mâiden, cŏy and còmely,

Î dôn't ẁant to spêak of Chòlmondeley (*Chúmley).

Nô. Yét Froûde compãred wíth pròud
Ís nô bétter thán McLeod (*McClòud).

But mînd trívial and vîal,

Trîpod, mênial, denîal,

Trôll and trólley, réalm and rêam,
Schédule, míschief, schísm, and schême.

Àrgil, gíll, Argŷll, gíll. Sůrely

Mây bê mâde to rhŷme wíth Råleigh,

Bút yŏu're nót suppôsed to sây
Pìquèt rhŷmes wíth sóbriquèt.

Hád thís ínvalid inválid

Wörthless dócuments? Hòw pállid,

Hòw uncoûth hê, còuchant, loòked,
Whén for Pŏrtsmouth Î had boòked!

Zeûs, Thêbes, Thales, Aphrodîtê,

Páramour, enámoured, flîghty,

Épisôdes, antípodês,
Ácquiésce, and óbsequies.

Plêase dôn't mònkey wíth the gêyser,

Dôn't pêel 'tâters wíth mŷ râzor,

Rāther sây ín áccents pûre:
Nâture, státure ánd matûre.

Pîous, ímpìous, límb, clîmb, glúmly,

Worsted (wùsted), wörsted, crúmbly, dúmbly,

Cónquer, cónquest, vàse, phâse, fán,
Ẁan, sedán and àrtisan.

The TH (*têe-âitch) wíll sůrely troúble you

Mŏre than R, CH ŏr W (*àh, cêe-âitch ŏr doúble-û)

Sây thén thêse phonétic géms:
Thómas, thŷme, Therêsa, Thames (*Témz).

Thómpson, Chátham, Wåltham, Stréatham,

Thére are mŏre but Î forgét 'em -

Wâit! Î've gót ít: Ánthony,
Lîghten yŏur anxîety.

Thê archâíc wörd ålbêít

Does nót rhŷme wíth èight - yoû sêe ít;

Wíth and fŏrthwith, òne hás vŏice,
Òne hás nót, yoû mâke yŏur chŏice.

Shoes (=shoôs), gôes, dòes. Nòw fïrst sây: fínger;

Thén sây: sínger, gínger, línger.

Rêal, zêal, mauve (*môv), gåuze and gâuge,
Márríage, fôlìage, mìràge, âge,

Hêro, héron, quêry, véry,

Párry, tárry, fûry, bury,

Dòst, lóst, pôst, and dòth, clóth, lôth,
Jób, Jôb, blóssom, bosom (*bùzm), ôath.

Fåugh, oppúgnant, kêen oppûgners,

Bòwing, bôwing, bánjo-tûners

Hôlm yoû knôw, but nôes, canoes (*canoôz),
Pûisnê (*poôny), trûísm, ûse (*yoûss), to ûse (*yoûz)?

Thôugh the dífference sêems líttle,

Wê sây áctual, but víctual,

Sêat, swéat, châste, càste, Lêigh, èight, heîght,

Pùt, nút, gránite, ánd unîte.
Rêefer dòes nót rhŷme wíth déafer,

Féoffer dòes, and zéphyr, héifer.

Dúll bùll Géoffrey, Geŏrge ate (*ét) lâte,
Hínt, pînt, sénate, but sedâte.

Gáelic, Árabic, pacífic, —Scottish; or regular Gâelic if Irish

Scîence, cónscience, scientífic;

Toûr, but òur, doûr, súccour, fŏur,
Gás, alás, and Àrkansås.

Sây manoeûvre, yacht (*yót) and vómit,

Néxt omít, whích díffers fróm ít

Bôna fîdê, álibî
Gŷrate, dòwry ánd awrŷ.

Sêa, idêa, guínea, ãrêa,

Psàlm, Marìa, bút malãria.

Yoûth, sòuth, soúthern, cléanse and clêan,
Dóctrine, türpentine, marìne.

Compãre âlien wíth Itálian,

Dándelîon wíth battálion,

Rálly wíth állŷ; yeâ, yê,
Eŷe, Î, ây, aŷe, whèy, kêy, quaỳ! —ây mê, archaic expression of sadness, ây = èh

Sây avër, but éver, fêver,

Neîther, léisure, skèin, recêiver.

Néver guéss - ít ís nót sâfe,
Wê sây càlves, válves, hālf, but Râlf.

Stàrry, gránary, canãry,

Crévice, but devîce, and éyrie,

Fâce, but préface, thén grimâce,
Phlégm, phlegmátic, áss, glāss, bâss.

Báss, làrge, tàrget, gín, gíve, vërging,

Ŏught, òust, jòust, and scòur, but scoürging;

Êar, but ëarn; and ére and téar
Do (*doô=) nót rhŷme wíth hêre but héir.

Mînd thê Ô of óff and óften

Whích mây bê pronòunced as ŏrphan, —scarcely heard nowadays

Wíth the sòund of såw and såuce;
Ålsô sóft, lóst, clóth and cróss.

Pùdding, púddle, pùtting. Pútting?

Yés: at gôlf ít rhŷmes wíth shútting.

Réspîte, spîte, consént, resént.
Lîable, but Pàrliament.

Séven ís rîght, but sô ís êven,

Hŷphen, roúghen, néphew, Stêphen,

Mònkey, dónkey, clerk (=Clàrk) and jërk,
Ásp, grāsp, ẁasp, demèsne, cŏrk, wörk.

 of válour, vápid vâpour,

S of neŵs (-z) (compãre neŵspâper (-ss-)),

G of gíbbet (j-), gíbbon, gíst (j-),
Î of ántichrîst and gríst,

Díffer like divërse and dîvers,

Rívers, strîvers, shívers, fîvers.

Ònce, but nónce, tôll, dóll, but rôll,
Pólish, Pôlish, póll and pôll.

Pronúnciation - thínk of Psŷchê! -

Ís a pâling, stòut and spîky.

Wôn't ít mâke yoû lose (=loôs) yŏur wíts
Wrîting grôats and sâying 'gríts'? —no longer

Ìt's a dàrk abýss ŏr túnnel

Streŵn wíth stônes lîke rôwlock, gúnwale,

Íslington, and Îsle of Wîght,
Hòusewîfe, vërdíct and indîct.

Dôn't yoû thínk sô, rêader, ràther,

Sâying làther, bâther, fàther?

Fînally, whích rhŷmes wíth enoúgh,
Thôugh, throûgh, bòugh, cóugh, hóugh, sòugh, toúgh??

Hiccoúgh hás the sòund of súp.

Mŷ advîce ís: GÍVE ÍT ÚP!

Notes

  1. A few different accents, mostly from French, sometimes crop up in English, however; see French words in English.
  2. When not accented, y is usually the semi-consonant of yoû and yés.
  3. When not accented, w is usually the semi-consonant of and wíll.
  4. In American English this short British sound is replaced by the longer à in most positions, and by ŏ before r.
  5. Grave accents on w and on a u following a q indicate the sound of the following a: à in American English, but in British the extra sound ó as in the British pronunciation of hót.
  6. å and ŏ show the same sound: ideally the o too would have a ring over it, but this symbol is not available, so ŏ is used instead.
  7. àardvark and Transvàal are from Afrikàans, itself a further example.
  8. With a pause to indicate both k’s are pronounced.
  9. Also representing a Welsh sound in place names like Llandudno (-dídno) and Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwrndrobllllantysiliogogogóch.
  10. Strong form of to, not normal in a verb's infinitive, necessitated by the metre.
  11. The pronunciation required by the metre is "ôkay", though the K is normally the stressed syllable: okây.