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B
'''B''' = '''bê''' ''is'' = '''bêe''' ''insect''
 
'''B-sîde''', *bêeside, cf. '''besîde
 
'''bàa''' ''sheep'' = '''bàh''' ''exclamation'' = BrE '''bàr''' ''drink, chocolate, soap''
 
'''Bà'ath''' ''party'' BrE = '''bāth''' ''water'' = '''Bāth''' ''city
 
'''baboôn
 
'''bâby-boômer
 
'''Bábylón'''
 
'''Bàch''' ''music'' = '''bàch''' ''Welsh'' *Bàkh
 
'''báchelor''' ''unmarried'' = '''Bátchelor'''
 
'''backbénch''' ''adjective'' one word
 
'''báckbiting''' one word
 
'''backfîre''' one word
 
'''báckhand''' ''tennis''
 
'''back-hánded''' ''ambiguous''
 
'''bácklash''' one word
 
'''bácklog''' one word
 
'''báckstab''' one word
 
'''backyàrd''' one word
 
'''bád''' ''evil'' = '''báde''' ''asked''
 
'''bádly''' = '''Báddeley'''
 
'''Bágehot''' = '''Bádgett
 
'''Baghdád''' BrE; AmE '''Bághdad''' Bágd-
 
'''Bahàmas'''
 
'''Bahrâin''' *Bàa-râin; sometimes an [[Arabic language|Arabic]] '''h''' is sounded separately at the end of '''àh''', producing a hypercorrect [[spelling pronunciation]] '''hr''' not heard elsewhere in English—though this is comparable to people with names like '''Mahmoôd''' having their aitches pronounced
 
'''bâil''' ''law, cricket'' = '''bâle''' ''hay, parachute''
 
'''bâilie''' ''magistrate'' = '''Bâiley''' ''person'' (also '''[[Old Bailey|Ôld Bâiley]]''', London's law court)
 
'''bâit''' ''hook'' = '''bâte''' ''fury, restrain''
 
'''bâize''' ''cloth'' = '''bâys''' ''bay''
 
'''Bâkelîte''' has '''e''' as syllablic [[schwa]]: *Bâykəlite, BrE *Bâkerlîght
 
'''bâker'''
 
'''bálance''' = '''Bállance'''
 
'''Bálfour''' *Bálfer
 
'''Bálham''' *Bállum
 
'''Bàli''' ''island'' = BrE '''bàrley''' ''beer''
 
'''bålk'''
 
'''Bålkans''' cf. '''bálcony
 
'''båll''' ''game'' = '''båwl''' ''shout''
 
'''ballerìna''' cf. '''pizzerìa
 
'''bállèt''' *bállây, cf. '''bállot
 
'''Bâlliol'''
 
'''bàlm''' -àm
 
'''bàlmy''' ''sea'' = BrE '''bàrmy''' ''daft''
 
'''Båltimore
 
'''báluster''' cf. '''bánister
 
'''bamboôzle
 
'''banàl''' BrE; AmE '''bânal
 
'''banálity
 
'''banāna
 
'''bánd''' ''group'', ''round'' = '''bánned''' ''ban''
 
'''bandôneon'''
 
'''bándwagon''' one word
 
'''Bangkók''' cf. '''Háncock''', both -ngkó-
 
'''Bangladésh''' *Báng-gla-désh; *Bàng-gla-dèsh is a more local pronunciation
 
'''bánish
 
[[Barack Obama|'''Baràck''' ''Obama'']] = [[Ehud Barak|'''Baràk''' ''Ehud'']]: According to [[Michelle Obama]], "Barack-oli" sounds like '''bróccoli''' (in [[American English]], '''ó''' = '''à'''), but many British speakers routinely mispronounce it as '''bárrack'''
 
'''Bàrbara''' cf. '''Barbéra
 
'''barbãrian
 
'''barbáric
 
'''bàrbecûe''' (is *bàrbeqûe, which looks like it's pronounced "barbêek", now an acceptable alternative?)<ref>https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/may/03/jeremy-corbyn-bernie-sanders-labour-leader</ref>
 
'''Bàrça''', short for '''Barcelôna
'''barcarólle''' or '''-óle
 
'''Bàrclay''' *Bàrcly
 
'''Bàrclays''' *Bàrclyz
 
'''bàrd''' ''poet, bacon'' = '''bàrred''' ''bar''
 
'''[[Brigitte Bardot|Bardôt]]''' *Bardô makes a [[minimal pair]] with '''Bordeaux
 
'''bãre''' ''naked'' = '''béãr''' ''animal, tolerate''
 
'''bãrely
 
'''Bárenbŏim
 
'''bàrgaín''' *bàrgin
 
'''bàrley
 
'''bàrman''' one word
 
'''bàr mítzvah
 
'''bàrnacle
 
'''bàrns''' = '''Bàrnes'''
 
'''Bàrnstaple
 
'''bàrnstàr
 
'''báron''' ''nobleman'' = '''bárren''' ''bare'' = '''Bárron''' = '''Báron'''
 
'''baróque''' BrE *bərók, AmE *barôke
 
'''bárrack''', cf. '''Baràck''' = '''Baràk
 
'''bárràge''' -àzh BrE, AmE *bəràzh
 
'''bárrier
 
'''[[Durão Barroso|Barrôso]]''' -zu
 
'''bárrow''' = '''Bárrow'''
 
'''bàrtender
 
'''bâse''' ''basic'' = '''bâss''' ''treble'', cf. '''báss''' ''fish'' = '''Báss''' ''person''
 
'''Bàsel''' ''Switzerland'', cf. '''Básil''' ''person
 
'''bâses''' ''base'' -ssíz = '''bâsses''' ''music''
 
'''bâsês''' ''basis'' -ssêez
 
'''bâsic''' -ss-
 
'''[[Count Basie|Bâsie]]''' -ss- cf. '''[[Shirley Bassey|Bássey]]''' ([[minimal pair]])
 
'''básil''' = '''Básil''' -z-
 
'''bâsin''' -ss-
 
'''bâsis''' -ssíss
 
'''bāsk''' ''sun'' = '''Bāsque''' ''people''
 
'''bāsketball''' one word
 
'''báss''' ''fish'' = '''Báss''' ''person''
 
'''bâss''' ''treble'' = '''bâse''' ''basic''
 
'''bassoôn''' (-'''ssoô'''-)
 
'''bâste''' ''pour, sew'' = '''bâsed''' ''located''
 
'''batállion''' cf. '''báttle
 
'''bâte''' ''anger, breath'' = '''bâit''' ''lure''
 
'''bāth''' = '''Bāth''' ''city'' cf. '''bâthe''' ''swim'', ''final e signifying voiced'' '''th
 
'''bátón''' BrE, AmE '''batón'''; one '''t''', cf. '''Pátton''', '''Hátton''' etc.
 
'''Báton Roûge''' *Bátn Rûzh
 
'''báttlefield''' one word
 
'''båuble''' ''decoration'', cf. '''búbble''' ''gas''
 
'''båulk''' (mostly British, ''billiards'' spelling of '''bålk''')
 
'''Bavãria'''
 
'''båwdy
 
'''Báx''' ''person'' = '''bácks''' ''back''
 
'''Baŷer''', '''Baŷern
 
'''bazàar''' *bəzàr, cf. '''bizàrre''', *bí-zàr
 
'''Bà’ath''' ''party'' BrE = '''bāth''' ''water''
 
'''bdéllium''' dé-
 
'''bê''' ''is'' = '''bêe''' ''insect''
 
'''bêach''' ''sand'' = '''bêech''' ''tree''
 
'''bêad''' ''string'' = '''Bêde''' ''person''
 
'''bêan''' ''eat'' = '''bêen''' ''was''
 
'''béãr''' ''tolerate, animal'' = '''bãre''' ''naked'', cf. '''bêer''' ''drink'', '''hêar''' ''listen''
 
'''bêard''' cf. '''Bãird''' ([[minimal pair]])
 
'''bêat''' ''win, hit, rhythm'' = '''bêet''' ''sugar
 
'''bêater''' ''beat'' BrE = '''bêta''' ''Greek
 
'''beatífic''' bêə-
 
'''beátify''' ''saint'' *bê-át-, cf. '''Sêáttle''' *Sê-áttle and '''beaûtify''' ''beauty'' byû-
 
'''beátitude''' bê-át-
 
'''Bêatríce''', '''Bêatrix''', '''a''' as schwa: Bêə-
 
'''beau''' ''boyfriend'' = '''Bô''' ''[[Bo Diddley|Diddley]]''
 
'''Beaûliêu''' ''England'' = '''Beŵlêy'''
 
'''beaûty''' *byûty, rhymes and forms a [[minimal pair]] with '''dûty
 
'''because''' ó
 
'''Béchèt''' *Béshây
 
'''Béckenham''' -nəm
 
'''Béckham''' -kəm
 
'''béckon'''
 
'''Bédouín
 
'''bêe''' ''insect'' = '''bê''' ''is''
 
'''bêech''' ''tree'' = '''beâch''' ''sand''
 
'''Beélzêbúb''' Bêe-él-
 
'''bêen''' ''was'' = '''bêan''' ''eat''
 
'''bêer''' ''drink'' = '''bìêr''' ''coffin''
 
'''bêet''' ''sugar'' = '''bêat''' ''hit''
 
'''Bèethôven''' *Bâitovən
 
'''bêetle''' ''insect'' = '''Bêatle''' ''[[The Beatles|Beatles]]'', cf. '''bêat''' ''rhythm'', '''Bêtelgeûse
 
'''befŏrehand''' one word
 
'''bég'''
 
'''Bègg''' = '''Bâig'''
 
'''behālf''' *bihāf
 
'''behâve
 
'''behêmoth''' *bəhêməth or '''bêhemóth''' or *bêəməth
 
'''behôve''' BrE; AmE '''behoôve
 
'''bèige''' *bâyzh
 
'''[[Beijing|Beijíng]]''' *Bây-jíng; some say 'zh' for '''j'''
 
'''bêíng''' cf. '''Bíng
 
'''Beirût''' *Bây-roôt
 
'''[[Belarus|Bélarùs]]''': once literally rendered as 'White Russia', and still 'Weißrussland' in German, this post-Soviet word should eventually regularise to *Bélərəs, comparable to Latinate names like '''Pándarus''' and '''Cërberus''', but it hasn't happened yet and the pronunciation is still in the process of shifting away from '''Belarûs''' *Bélla Roôse
 
'''Belarûsian''', '''Bélorússian''', etc.
 
'''Bélfāst
 
'''[[Belgium|Bélgium]]''' *Béljəm ''country'' forms a [[minimal pair]] with '''Bélgian''' ''nationality
 
'''belîe''' cf. '''relŷ''', '''belŷing''', '''lîe
 
'''belìêve
 
'''béll''' ''ring'' = '''bélle''' ''woman''
 
'''Béllevûe
 
'''béllicôse
 
'''bellígerent''' -j-
 
'''béllow''' ''shout, bellows'' cf. '''belôw''' ''under''
 
'''bélly
 
'''Bélvedêre
 
<nowiki>*</nowiki>belŷ '''belîe'''
 
'''bêma'''
 
'''Bénaud''' *Bénnô
 
'''bénchmark''' one word
 
'''bénefit
 
'''Bénettón
 
'''benévolent
 
'''Bengåli'''
 
'''benîgn''' -nîne
 
'''benígnant''' -nígnənt
 
'''Benìn''' -nêen
 
'''Beninêse'''
 
'''Bénjamin
 
'''Bénnett''' = '''Bénnet''' ''[[Jane Austen]]'' = '''Bénet'''
 
'''Bénzedrìne
 
'''bérèt''' *bérrây
 
'''bërk''' ''insult'' = '''Bürke''' ''person''
 
'''Bërkelêy''' ''California'' cf. '''Bàrclaỳ''' ''person'' = BrE '''Berkeley''' ''person''
 
'''Bërkshîre''' AmE; BrE *Bàkshə, as with '''bàrk''' ''dog, tree'', '''Bàrking''' ''town''
 
'''Berlín''' but usually transferred stress in '''Bërlin Wåll
 
'''Bërnard''' BrE; AmE '''Bernàrd'''
 
'''Bérne''' ''Switzerland'' = '''bãirn''' ''baby'', or = '''bürn''' ''fire, brook
 
'''Bërnsteîn''' ''Leonard'', '''Bërnstêin''' ''Elmer'', ''Carl''
 
'''bérry''' ''fruit'' = '''bury''' ''ground'' = '''Bury''' ''town'' = '''Bérry''' ''person
 
'''bërth''' ''ship'' = '''bïrth''' ''born
 
'''bêsom'''
 
'''bêta''' BrE; AmE '''bèta
 
'''Bêtelgeûse''' *Bêetlejûice, *Bétlgëz
 
'''Bétjeman''' *Bétcheman
 
'''Bétte''' ''Midler'' = '''bét'''; '''Béttê''' ''Davis'' = '''Bétty'''
 
'''béverage''' = '''Béveridge
 
'''Béverley''' ''England, etc.'' = '''Béverly''' ''Hills, etc.
 
'''bewãre''' one word, cf. '''bê awãre
 
'''bewíldered''' BrE *biwíldəd, AmE *bêwíldərd
 
'''bezìque''' *bəzêek
 
'''Bèzôs''' ''Jeff'' (BrE '''Bèzós''')
 
'''Bhutàn'''
 
'''Bhutanêse'''
 
'''Bhùtto''': this is the family's pronunciation, with the vowel sound of '''pùt''', but since the death of [[Benazir Bhutto|Benazir]] the BBC and other broadcasters have taken to saying "Boôto"
 
'''bî-''' ''two'' = '''bŷ''' ''preposition'' = '''bŷ-''' ''extra'' = '''bŷe''' ''cricket, goodbye'' = '''buŷ''' ''sell'' = '''bî''' ''bisexual''
 
'''bîas''' (plural '''bìases''' *bîəsíz) = '''Bŷas'''
 
'''bîased''' (one '''s''')  *bîəst
 
'''bíb''' ''cloth'' = '''bíbb''' ''lettuce''
 
'''Bícester''' *Bíster
 
'''bìdet''' *bêedây
 
'''bìêr''' ''corpse'' = '''bêer''' ''drink''
 
'''bîght''' ''loop'' = '''bîte''' ''teeth'' = '''bŷte''' ''computer''
 
'''bígot''' rhymes with '''[[Lester Piggott|Píggott]]
 
'''[[Bilawal Bhutto Zardari|Bilàwal Bhùtto Zardàri]]'''
 
'''Billerícay''' -rícky
 
'''Bíllie''' ''female'' = '''Bílly''' ''male'' = '''bílly''' ''goat''
 
'''bíllôw''', cf. '''belôw'''
 
'''bîô-
 
'''biógraphy
 
'''biólogy
 
'''bîôpic''', '''biópic
 
'''Bïrmingham''' BrE *Bïrmingəm, AmE *Bïrming-hám, '''g''' not sounded separately
 
'''bïrthdate''' one word
 
'''bïrthplace''' one word
 
'''Bíscay'''
 
'''bíscuit''' *bísket makes a minimal pair with '''bāsket
 
'''bîson''' cf. '''bâsin
 
'''bísque''' *bísc
 
'''bít''', past tense of '''bîte''', as well as a noun meaning ''piece''
 
'''bîte''' ''food'' = '''bŷte''' ''computer'' = '''bîght''' ''loop''
 
'''bizàrre''' *bí-zàr, cf. '''bazàar''' *bəzàr
 
'''bláckcurrant''' cf. '''cúrrent
 
'''bláckguard''' rhymes with '''lággard'''
 
'''bláckmail
 
'''blàh blàh blàh
 
'''blānch''' ''white'' = '''Blānche''' ''person''
 
'''blancmange''' *bləmónzh
 
'''blãre''' ''noise'' = '''Blãir''' ''person''
 
'''blasphême''', '''blasphêmer''', '''blásphemy'''
 
'''blâtant''' rhymes with '''pâtent
 
'''bléssed''' *blést; but mostly as attributive adjective: '''a''' *bléssíd '''thíng
 
'''blóc''' ''grouping'' = '''blóck''' ''prevent, wood, building''
 
'''Bloemfontein''' *Blùmfontâyn
 
'''blónd''' ''male person, male and female adjective'' = '''blónde''' ''female person''
 
'''blòod''' *blúdd
 
'''blòodstained''' one word
 
'''blòodthirsty''' one word
 
'''blûe''' ''colour'' = '''bleŵ''' ''blow''
 
'''blûeprint''' one word
 
'''blürred''' cf. '''cûred
 
'''Bǒ Xilaî''' *Båw-Shilî
 
'''bŏard''' ''wooden, directors'' = '''bŏred''' ''boring'', cf. '''brŏad''' ''wide''
 
'''bŏarder''' ''boarding'' = '''bŏrder''' ''edge''
 
'''bôast
 
'''bôat''' makes a [[minimal pair]] with '''vôte'''
 
'''Boàteng''' Bwà-
 
'''bódíce'''
 
'''bódy'''
 
'''[[John Boehner|Boèhner]]''' *Bâyner cf. '''[[Matt Groening|Groèning]]''' *Grâyning
 
'''Bôeing''' ''person'' = '''bôwing''' ''music''
 
'''Boer''' *Bùer or = '''bŏre'''
 
'''bôgey''' ''golf, ghost'' = '''bôgie''' ''trolley, truck'' = '''Bôgey''' ''Bogart
 
'''''Bogotá''''' Spanish accent usually written; pronounced *Bogətàh
 
'''Bŏisê''' *Bŏicey
 
'''Bóko Haràm''', or '''Bôko''', or '''Harám''', cf. '''Prôcol Hàrum'''
 
'''bôld''' ''brave'' = '''bôwled''' ''bowl
 
'''bôlder''' ''bold'' = '''bôulder''' ''rock
 
'''bôle''' ''tree'' = '''bôwl
 
'''Boleýn'''
 
'''Bólingbroke''' ends like '''broòk
 
'''Bóllywood'''
 
'''bôlt''' ''metal'' = '''Bôlt''' = '''Bôult''' ''persons
 
'''Bólton''' ''city, person'' = '''Bôulton''' ''person
 
'''bómb''' *bóm
 
'''bombàrd'''
 
'''bombardìer'''
 
'''Bombây'''
 
'''bómbing''' *bómming
 
'''bôna fîdê
 
'''bonhomìê''', '''bonhommìê''' *bónóm-êe
 
'''Bóno'''
 
'''bónobo''', '''bonôbo'''
 
'''boôgie-woôgie
 
'''boòk''' cf. '''búck
 
'''boòkcase''' one word: extended '''k''' sound
 
'''boòkkeeper''' one word: extended '''k''' sound
 
'''boòkshop''' one word
 
'''boôm''' (though usually '''boòm boòm''')
 
'''boôn''' = '''Boône
 
'''boor''' ''rude'' = '''Boer''' ''South Africa'' *bùer or '''bŏre''' ''boring
 
'''boôs''' ''boo'' = '''boôze''' ''drink''
 
'''boôst
 
'''[[Bootes|Boôtes]]''' *Bwôtêz often has a diaeresis: '''Boötes
 
'''boôth''' = '''Boôth''' = '''Boôthe'''
 
'''boôty''' ''spoils'' = '''boôtie''' ''boot
 
'''boôze''' ''drink'' = '''boôs''' ''boo
 
'''Bordeaux''' *Bŏr-dô, *Bŏre-dôe, *Bŏre-dôugh, cf. '''Bardôt''', *Bardô, same stress pattern, [[minimal pair]]
 
'''bŏrder''' ''edge'' = '''bŏarder''' ''boarding''
 
'''bŏre''' ''boring, carried'' = '''bŏar''' ''animal''
 
'''bŏred''' ''boring'' = '''bŏard''' ''wooden, directors
 
'''bŏredom''' *bŏrdum
 
'''Bŏrgia''' *Bŏrjə
 
'''bŏrn''' ''birth'' = '''bŏrne''' ''wind, out'' = '''bŏurn''' ''stream
 
'''bòrough''' ''town'' BrE -rə (*búrra), AmE = '''búrrow''' ''earth'', cf. '''bórrow''' ''lend''
 
'''bosom''' *bùzəm
 
'''Bósporus''', or '''Bósphorus''' = '''phósphorus'''
 
'''bôth
 
'''bóttleneck
 
'''Bôtóx'''
 
'''boûgainvillea''' *bûgənvília
 
'''bòugh''' ''tree'' = '''bòw''' ''low, ship
 
'''Bóugh''' *Bóff
 
'''böught''' *båwt
 
'''bôulder''' ''rock'' = '''bôlder''' ''bold'' = '''Bôulder''' ''Colorado
 
'''Boûléz''', '''z''' sounded
 
'''Boulogne''' *Bəlŏin
 
'''böurbon
 
'''bŏurgeois''' bŏrzhwà
 
'''bourgeoisìê''' bŏrzhwà-zêe
 
'''bŏurne''' ''stream'' = '''bŏrn''' ''birth'' = '''bŏrne''' ''carried
 
'''Bŏurnemouth''' *Bŏrnməth
 
'''bòw''' ''low, ship'' = '''bòugh''' ''tree
 
'''bôw''' ''knot'', ''music'', ''arrow'' = '''Bôw''' ''London'' = '''Bô'''
 
'''bòwel
 
'''bòwer''' ''tree'' = '''bàuer''' ''euchre
 
'''[[David Bowie|Bôwie]]''' ''David''
 
'''bôwl''' ''all other meanings'' = '''bôle''' ''tree
 
'''bóxing''' ''sport'' = '''Bóxing''' ''Day
 
'''bŏycott''' = '''Bŏycott'''
 
'''Bŏyd''' = '''buŏyed''' ''lifted
 
'''brâe''' ''hill'' = '''brây''' ''donkey''
 
'''brâin''' ''head'' cf. '''Brîan''' ''person''
 
'''brâinchîld''' one word
 
'''brâinwash''' one word
 
'''bránd'''
 
'''Brándeîs''' ends with '''îce'''
 
'''Brasília''' with an '''s''' pronounced '''z''', '''Brazíl''' with a '''z''': both have a buzzing '''s''' in the original [[Portuguese language|Portuguese]], but the former, a later import, preserves the original spelling
 
'''Brazíl''' ''country'' = '''Brazíle'''
 
'''Brazílian'''
 
'''bréad''' ''food'' = '''bréd''' ''breed''
 
'''breâk''' ''smash, interval'' = '''brâke''' ''car''
 
'''breâkaway''' ''adjective'' cf. '''breâk awây''' ''verb''
 
'''breâkdown''' ''noun'' cf. '''breâk dòwn''' ''verb''
 
'''bréakfast
 
'''breâkthroûgh''' ''noun'' *brâkethrû; cf. '''breâk throûgh''' ''verb''
 
'''bréast''' = '''Brést
 
'''bréath''' ''noun'' unvoiced '''th''', '''brêathe''' ''verb'' voiced '''th''', cf. '''mòuth''', same noun-verb distinction in pronunciation of the '''th''', but always the same spelling, no *mòuthe
 
'''bréathtaking''' ''adjective'' one word
 
'''Brécon''' ''Wales'' cf. '''brácken''' ''plant'' ([[minimal pair]])
 
'''bréd''' ''breed'' = '''bréad''' ''food''
 
'''brêed''' ''animal'' cf. '''bréad''' ''food''
 
'''Breîtbart''' *Brîghtbart
 
'''Breîvik''' (*Brŷvik) is closest to the native pronunciation of [[Anders Behring Breivik]], but most English speakers say "Brèivik" (*Brâyvik)
 
'''bréthren''' -dhrən
 
'''breŵ
 
'''Bréxit'''
 
'''Bréxiter''', or '''Brexitêer''', after '''musketêer''' ('''''The Thrêe Musketêers''''')
 
'''Brextrêmist'''
 
'''Brîan''' = '''Brŷan''', cf. '''brâin''', '''O'Brîen''' (one is more likely to meet a Brian O'Brien than a Brien O'Brian)
 
'''brìêf
 
'''Brídget''' makes a [[minimal pair]] with '''Brígid'''
 
'''brîght''' -ît
 
'''brîghten''' = '''Brîghton'''
 
'''Brísbane''' *Brízbən, rhymes with '''Lísbon
 
'''Brítain''' ''country'' -tən; = '''Bríton''' ''citizen'', '''Brítten''', '''Brítton''', '''Bríttain''' ''persons''
 
'''Bríttany''' ''France'' ≈ '''Brítney''' ''person''
 
'''brŏad''' *bråwd, cf. '''bŏard''' = '''bŏred''', [[minimal pair]]s
 
'''bróccolì''' *bróckəlêy
 
'''brôchure''' BrE *brôsher, '''brochûre''' AmE *brô-shûre
'''Brómwich''' *Brómmidge
 
'''Brónte''' *Brónty; often written '''''Brontë''''' (some say "Bróntây")
 
'''broôch'''  ''pin'' AmE; BrE = '''brôach''' ''speak''
 
'''broôm''' ''sweep'' = '''brûme''' ''mist''
 
'''bróthel''' unvoiced '''th
 
'''bròther''' voiced '''th''', making a [[minimal pair]] with its [[cockney]] equivalent, '''brúvver
 
'''Bròúgh''' *Brúff
 
'''broûgham''' ''carriage'' = '''broôm''' ''sweep''; or -'''gha'''- as schwa, *brûəm
 
'''broûhàhà
 
'''bròw
 
'''bròwbeat
 
'''bròwse''' rhymes with '''ròuse''' -z
 
'''Brûges''' = '''Brûgge''' *Brûzh
 
'''brûise''' ''contusion'' *brûze = '''breŵs''' ''beer''
 
'''brûsque''' *broôsk
 
'''Bruneî
 
'''Brunél
 
'''Brússels
 
'''Brzezínski''' ''Zbigniew'' *Brzinski
 
'''Búchan''' *Búkhən
 
'''Buchánan''' *Bùkánan
 
'''Bucharést''' *Bùkerést
 
'''búck''' = '''Búck''' cf. '''boòk''', '''búxom
 
'''búd''' = '''Búd
 
'''Budapést''' *Bùdapést
 
'''búddy''' = '''Búddy
 
'''Bùddha''' -ùdə (cf. original spelling of '''[[Buddha Records|Bùddah Récords]]''')
 
'''Bùddhist''' -ùdi-
 
'''Buénos Aîres''' ''Argentina'' –ríz or '''Ãires''' *Ãríz, cf. '''Ãries''' ''Ram''
 
'''búffalo''' = '''Búffalo
 
'''bùffèt''' ''eat'' *bùffây
 
'''búffet''' ''hit'', '''t''' sounded
 
'''buffoôn''' -'''ffoô'''-
 
'''Bûíck
 
'''buíld''' *bíld
 
'''buílding''' *bílding
 
'''Bulawâyo
 
'''Bulgãria
 
'''bùll
 
'''bùlldôzer
 
'''bùlletin
 
'''bùllshit''' one word
 
'''bùlwark
 
'''búmblebee''' cf. '''Dímbleby
 
'''búmf
 
'''Búnsen bürner
'''buŏy''' ''sea'' BrE = '''bŏy''' ''child''; '''bûoy''' ''sea'' AmE *bûêe
 
'''buŏyant''' *bŏyant
 
'''bürden''' ''load'' = '''Bürdon''' ''person
 
'''bûreau''' *byûrô, plural '''bûreaux''', *byûrôz, cf. '''pólitburo
 
'''bureaucracy''' *byû-rócracy
 
'''bureaucrátic''': -'''eau'''- as schwa: *byurəcrátic
 
'''bürger''' ''hamburger'' = '''bürgher''' ''business'' = '''Bërger''' ''person''
 
'''bürgeoning
 
'''burial''' *bérrial, from '''bury'''
 
'''Burkìna Fáso''' -ss-
 
'''[[Burma|Bürma]]
 
'''bürn''' ''fire, stream'' = '''Bÿrne''' ''name'' cf. '''Bérne''' ''Switzerland
 
'''bürqa''' cf. '''bürger''', BrE [[minimal pair]]
 
'''búrrow''' ''ground'' = AmE '''bòrôugh''' ''town'' cf. '''Búrrôughs''' ''person''
 
'''bury''' ''ground'' = '''bérry''' ''tree'' = '''Bury''' ''England
 
'''bús''' ''transport'' = '''búss''' ''kiss''
 
'''búsed''' ''driven'' or '''bússed''' = '''búst''' ''bosom, broke''
 
'''búses''' ''plural, verb'' *bússes
 
'''bùsh
 
'''búsing''' -ss-
 
'''business''' *bízniss, cf. '''bíz''', '''busy-ness, busyness''' ''being busy''
 
'''businessman''' one word, bíz-
 
'''bússed''' or '''búsed''' ''driven'' = '''búst''' ''bosom, broken''
 
'''busy''' bíz-
 
'''busybody''' *bízzybódy-, one word
 
'''busy-ness, busyness''' ''busy'' cf. '''business''' ''affair, money'', both bíz-
 
'''bûte''' ''drug'' = '''beaût''' ''beautiful'' = '''Bûte''' ''Scotland
 
'''bútler''' = '''Bútler''' = '''Búttler'''
 
'''bútt''' ''head, joke, buttocks'' = '''bút''' ''however''
 
'''bútterfly
 
'''bútton'''
 
'''búxom'''
 
'''buŷ''' ''sell'' = '''bŷ''' ''preposition'' = '''bŷ-''' ''incidental'' = '''bŷe''' ''cricket'' = '''bî-''' ''two'' = '''bî''' ''bisexual'' = '''[[Evan Bayh|Baŷh]]'''
 
'''bwàna
 
'''bŷe-bye! 
 
'''bŷ-election
 
'''bŷ-product
 
'''Bÿrd''' ''person'' = '''bïrd''' ''fly''
 
'''bŷte''' ''computer'' = '''bîte''' ''teeth'' = '''bîght''' ''bay''
 
'''Býzantîne''', '''Býzantìne''', *Bŷ-zántîne, *Bŷ-zántíne; can be '''b'''- when meaning ''intricate
 
'''Byzántìum''' *Bŷ-zántìəm

Latest revision as of 12:34, 27 July 2017

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  


This page lists pronunciations of English words that begin with B. To see a different letter navigate with the table above. The apostrophe is treated as the last letter of the alphabet, after Z.

For a pronunciation key, click on the blue "Catalogs" link below the article title.[e]

B = bê is = bêe insect

B-sîde, *bêeside, cf. besîde

bàa sheep = bàh exclamation = BrE bàr drink, chocolate, soap

Bà'ath party BrE = bāth water = Bāth city

baboôn

bâby-boômer

Bábylón

Bàch music = bàch Welsh *Bàkh

báchelor unmarried = Bátchelor

backbénch adjective one word

báckbiting one word

backfîre one word

báckhand tennis

back-hánded ambiguous

bácklash one word

bácklog one word

báckstab one word

backyàrd one word

bád evil = báde asked

bádly = Báddeley

Bágehot = Bádgett

Baghdád BrE; AmE Bághdad Bágd-

Bahàmas

Bahrâin *Bàa-râin; sometimes an Arabic h is sounded separately at the end of àh, producing a hypercorrect spelling pronunciation hr not heard elsewhere in English—though this is comparable to people with names like Mahmoôd having their aitches pronounced

bâil law, cricket = bâle hay, parachute

bâilie magistrate = Bâiley person (also Ôld Bâiley, London's law court)

bâit hook = bâte fury, restrain

bâize cloth = bâys bay

Bâkelîte has e as syllablic schwa: *Bâykəlite, BrE *Bâkerlîght

bâker

bálance = Bállance

Bálfour *Bálfer

Bálham *Bállum

Bàli island = BrE bàrley beer

bålk

Bålkans cf. bálcony

båll game = båwl shout

ballerìna cf. pizzerìa

bállèt *bállây, cf. bállot

Bâlliol

bàlm -àm

bàlmy sea = BrE bàrmy daft

Båltimore

báluster cf. bánister

bamboôzle

banàl BrE; AmE bânal

banálity

banāna

bánd group, round = bánned ban

bandôneon

bándwagon one word

Bangkók cf. Háncock, both -ngkó-

Bangladésh *Báng-gla-désh; *Bàng-gla-dèsh is a more local pronunciation

bánish

Baràck Obama = Baràk Ehud: According to Michelle Obama, "Barack-oli" sounds like bróccoli (in American English, ó = à), but many British speakers routinely mispronounce it as bárrack

Bàrbara cf. Barbéra

barbãrian

barbáric

bàrbecûe (is *bàrbeqûe, which looks like it's pronounced "barbêek", now an acceptable alternative?)[1]

Bàrça, short for Barcelôna

barcarólle or -óle

Bàrclay *Bàrcly

Bàrclays *Bàrclyz

bàrd poet, bacon = bàrred bar

Bardôt *Bardô makes a minimal pair with Bordeaux

bãre naked = béãr animal, tolerate

bãrely

Bárenbŏim

bàrgaín *bàrgin

bàrley

bàrman one word

bàr mítzvah

bàrnacle

bàrns = Bàrnes

Bàrnstaple

bàrnstàr

báron nobleman = bárren bare = Bárron = Báron

baróque BrE *bərók, AmE *barôke

bárrack, cf. Baràck = Baràk

bárràge -àzh BrE, AmE *bəràzh

bárrier

Barrôso -zu

bárrow = Bárrow

bàrtender

bâse basic = bâss treble, cf. báss fish = Báss person

Bàsel Switzerland, cf. Básil person

bâses base -ssíz = bâsses music

bâsês basis -ssêez

bâsic -ss-

Bâsie -ss- cf. Bássey (minimal pair)

básil = Básil -z-

bâsin -ss-

bâsis -ssíss

bāsk sun = Bāsque people

bāsketball one word

báss fish = Báss person

bâss treble = bâse basic

bassoôn (-ssoô-)

bâste pour, sew = bâsed located

batállion cf. báttle

bâte anger, breath = bâit lure

bāth = Bāth city cf. bâthe swim, final e signifying voiced th

bátón BrE, AmE batón; one t, cf. Pátton, Hátton etc.

Báton Roûge *Bátn Rûzh

báttlefield one word

båuble decoration, cf. búbble gas

båulk (mostly British, billiards spelling of bålk)

Bavãria

båwdy

Báx person = bácks back

Baŷer, Baŷern

bazàar *bəzàr, cf. bizàrre, *bí-zàr

Bà’ath party BrE = bāth water

bdéllium dé-

bê is = bêe insect

bêach sand = bêech tree

bêad string = Bêde person

bêan eat = bêen was

béãr tolerate, animal = bãre naked, cf. bêer drink, hêar listen

bêard cf. Bãird (minimal pair)

bêat win, hit, rhythm = bêet sugar

bêater beat BrE = bêta Greek

beatífic bêə-

beátify saint *bê-át-, cf. Sêáttle *Sê-áttle and beaûtify beauty byû-

beátitude bê-át-

Bêatríce, Bêatrix, a as schwa: Bêə-

beau boyfriend = Bô Diddley

Beaûliêu England = Beŵlêy

beaûty *byûty, rhymes and forms a minimal pair with dûty

because ó

Béchèt *Béshây

Béckenham -nəm

Béckham -kəm

béckon

Bédouín

bêe insect = bê is

bêech tree = beâch sand

Beélzêbúb Bêe-él-

bêen was = bêan eat

bêer drink = bìêr coffin

bêet sugar = bêat hit

Bèethôven *Bâitovən

bêetle insect = Bêatle Beatles, cf. bêat rhythm, Bêtelgeûse

befŏrehand one word

bég

Bègg = Bâig

behālf *bihāf

behâve

behêmoth *bəhêməth or bêhemóth or *bêəməth

behôve BrE; AmE behoôve

bèige *bâyzh

Beijíng *Bây-jíng; some say 'zh' for j

bêíng cf. Bíng

Beirût *Bây-roôt

Bélarùs: once literally rendered as 'White Russia', and still 'Weißrussland' in German, this post-Soviet word should eventually regularise to *Bélərəs, comparable to Latinate names like Pándarus and Cërberus, but it hasn't happened yet and the pronunciation is still in the process of shifting away from Belarûs *Bélla Roôse

Belarûsian, Bélorússian, etc.

Bélfāst

Bélgium *Béljəm country forms a minimal pair with Bélgian nationality

belîe cf. relŷ, belŷing, lîe

belìêve

béll ring = bélle woman

Béllevûe

béllicôse

bellígerent -j-

béllow shout, bellows cf. belôw under

bélly

Bélvedêre

*belŷ belîe

bêma

Bénaud *Bénnô

bénchmark one word

bénefit

Bénettón

benévolent

Bengåli

benîgn -nîne

benígnant -nígnənt

Benìn -nêen

Beninêse

Bénjamin

Bénnett = Bénnet Jane Austen = Bénet

Bénzedrìne

bérèt *bérrây

bërk insult = Bürke person

Bërkelêy California cf. Bàrclaỳ person = BrE Berkeley person

Bërkshîre AmE; BrE *Bàkshə, as with bàrk dog, tree, Bàrking town

Berlín but usually transferred stress in Bërlin Wåll

Bërnard BrE; AmE Bernàrd

Bérne Switzerland = bãirn baby, or = bürn fire, brook

Bërnsteîn Leonard, Bërnstêin Elmer, Carl

bérry fruit = bury ground = Bury town = Bérry person

bërth ship = bïrth born

bêsom

bêta BrE; AmE bèta

Bêtelgeûse *Bêetlejûice, *Bétlgëz

Bétjeman *Bétcheman

Bétte Midler = bét; Béttê Davis = Bétty

béverage = Béveridge

Béverley England, etc. = Béverly Hills, etc.

bewãre one word, cf. bê awãre

bewíldered BrE *biwíldəd, AmE *bêwíldərd

bezìque *bəzêek

Bèzôs Jeff (BrE Bèzós)

Bhutàn

Bhutanêse

Bhùtto: this is the family's pronunciation, with the vowel sound of pùt, but since the death of Benazir the BBC and other broadcasters have taken to saying "Boôto"

bî- two = bŷ preposition = bŷ- extra = bŷe cricket, goodbye = buŷ sell = bî bisexual

bîas (plural bìases *bîəsíz) = Bŷas

bîased (one s) *bîəst

bíb cloth = bíbb lettuce

Bícester *Bíster

bìdet *bêedây

bìêr corpse = bêer drink

bîght loop = bîte teeth = bŷte computer

bígot rhymes with Píggott

Bilàwal Bhùtto Zardàri

Billerícay -rícky

Bíllie female = Bílly male = bílly goat

bíllôw, cf. belôw

bîô-

biógraphy

biólogy

bîôpic, biópic

Bïrmingham BrE *Bïrmingəm, AmE *Bïrming-hám, g not sounded separately

bïrthdate one word

bïrthplace one word

Bíscay

bíscuit *bísket makes a minimal pair with bāsket

bîson cf. bâsin

bísque *bísc

bít, past tense of bîte, as well as a noun meaning piece

bîte food = bŷte computer = bîght loop

bizàrre *bí-zàr, cf. bazàar *bəzàr

bláckcurrant cf. cúrrent

bláckguard rhymes with lággard

bláckmail

blàh blàh blàh

blānch white = Blānche person

blancmange *bləmónzh

blãre noise = Blãir person

blasphême, blasphêmer, blásphemy

blâtant rhymes with pâtent

bléssed *blést; but mostly as attributive adjective: a *bléssíd thíng

blóc grouping = blóck prevent, wood, building

Bloemfontein *Blùmfontâyn

blónd male person, male and female adjective = blónde female person

blòod *blúdd

blòodstained one word

blòodthirsty one word

blûe colour = bleŵ blow

blûeprint one word

blürred cf. cûred

Bǒ Xilaî *Båw-Shilî

bŏard wooden, directors = bŏred boring, cf. brŏad wide

bŏarder boarding = bŏrder edge

bôast

bôat makes a minimal pair with vôte

Boàteng Bwà-

bódíce

bódy

Boèhner *Bâyner cf. Groèning *Grâyning

Bôeing person = bôwing music

Boer *Bùer or = bŏre

bôgey golf, ghost = bôgie trolley, truck = Bôgey Bogart

Bogotá Spanish accent usually written; pronounced *Bogətàh

Bŏisê *Bŏicey

Bóko Haràm, or Bôko, or Harám, cf. Prôcol Hàrum

bôld brave = bôwled bowl

bôlder bold = bôulder rock

bôle tree = bôwl

Boleýn

Bólingbroke ends like broòk

Bóllywood

bôlt metal = Bôlt = Bôult persons

Bólton city, person = Bôulton person

bómb *bóm

bombàrd

bombardìer

Bombây

bómbing *bómming

bôna fîdê

bonhomìê, bonhommìê *bónóm-êe

Bóno

bónobo, bonôbo

boôgie-woôgie

boòk cf. búck

boòkcase one word: extended k sound

boòkkeeper one word: extended k sound

boòkshop one word

boôm (though usually boòm boòm)

boôn = Boône

boor rude = Boer South Africa *bùer or bŏre boring

boôs boo = boôze drink

boôst

Boôtes *Bwôtêz often has a diaeresis: Boötes

boôth = Boôth = Boôthe

boôty spoils = boôtie boot

boôze drink = boôs boo

Bordeaux *Bŏr-dô, *Bŏre-dôe, *Bŏre-dôugh, cf. Bardôt, *Bardô, same stress pattern, minimal pair

bŏrder edge = bŏarder boarding

bŏre boring, carried = bŏar animal

bŏred boring = bŏard wooden, directors

bŏredom *bŏrdum

Bŏrgia *Bŏrjə

bŏrn birth = bŏrne wind, out = bŏurn stream

bòrough town BrE -rə (*búrra), AmE = búrrow earth, cf. bórrow lend

bosom *bùzəm

Bósporus, or Bósphorus = phósphorus

bôth

bóttleneck

Bôtóx

boûgainvillea *bûgənvília

bòugh tree = bòw low, ship

Bóugh *Bóff

böught *båwt

bôulder rock = bôlder bold = Bôulder Colorado

Boûléz, z sounded

Boulogne *Bəlŏin

böurbon

bŏurgeois bŏrzhwà

bourgeoisìê bŏrzhwà-zêe

bŏurne stream = bŏrn birth = bŏrne carried

Bŏurnemouth *Bŏrnməth

bòw low, ship = bòugh tree

bôw knot, music, arrow = Bôw London = Bô

bòwel

bòwer tree = bàuer euchre

Bôwie David

bôwl all other meanings = bôle tree

bóxing sport = Bóxing Day

bŏycott = Bŏycott

Bŏyd = buŏyed lifted

brâe hill = brây donkey

brâin head cf. Brîan person

brâinchîld one word

brâinwash one word

bránd

Brándeîs ends with îce

Brasília with an s pronounced z, Brazíl with a z: both have a buzzing s in the original Portuguese, but the former, a later import, preserves the original spelling

Brazíl country = Brazíle

Brazílian

bréad food = bréd breed

breâk smash, interval = brâke car

breâkaway adjective cf. breâk awây verb

breâkdown noun cf. breâk dòwn verb

bréakfast

breâkthroûgh noun *brâkethrû; cf. breâk throûgh verb

bréast = Brést

bréath noun unvoiced th, brêathe verb voiced th, cf. mòuth, same noun-verb distinction in pronunciation of the th, but always the same spelling, no *mòuthe

bréathtaking adjective one word

Brécon Wales cf. brácken plant (minimal pair)

bréd breed = bréad food

brêed animal cf. bréad food

Breîtbart *Brîghtbart

Breîvik (*Brŷvik) is closest to the native pronunciation of Anders Behring Breivik, but most English speakers say "Brèivik" (*Brâyvik)

bréthren -dhrən

breŵ

Bréxit

Bréxiter, or Brexitêer, after musketêer (The Thrêe Musketêers)

Brextrêmist

Brîan = Brŷan, cf. brâin, O'Brîen (one is more likely to meet a Brian O'Brien than a Brien O'Brian)

brìêf

Brídget makes a minimal pair with Brígid

brîght -ît

brîghten = Brîghton

Brísbane *Brízbən, rhymes with Lísbon

Brítain country -tən; = Bríton citizen, Brítten, Brítton, Bríttain persons

Bríttany France ≈ Brítney person

brŏad *bråwd, cf. bŏard = bŏred, minimal pairs

bróccolì *bróckəlêy

brôchure BrE *brôsher, brochûre AmE *brô-shûre

Brómwich *Brómmidge

Brónte *Brónty; often written Brontë (some say "Bróntây")

broôch pin AmE; BrE = brôach speak

broôm sweep = brûme mist

bróthel unvoiced th

bròther voiced th, making a minimal pair with its cockney equivalent, brúvver

Bròúgh *Brúff

broûgham carriage = broôm sweep; or -gha- as schwa, *brûəm

broûhàhà

bròw

bròwbeat

bròwse rhymes with ròuse -z

Brûges = Brûgge *Brûzh

brûise contusion *brûze = breŵs beer

brûsque *broôsk

Bruneî

Brunél

Brússels

Brzezínski Zbigniew *Brzinski

Búchan *Búkhən

Buchánan *Bùkánan

Bucharést *Bùkerést

búck = Búck cf. boòk, búxom

búd = Búd

Budapést *Bùdapést

búddy = Búddy

Bùddha -ùdə (cf. original spelling of Bùddah Récords)

Bùddhist -ùdi-

Buénos Aîres Argentina –ríz or Ãires *Ãríz, cf. Ãries Ram

búffalo = Búffalo

bùffèt eat *bùffây

búffet hit, t sounded

buffoôn -ffoô-

Bûíck

buíld *bíld

buílding *bílding

Bulawâyo

Bulgãria

bùll

bùlldôzer

bùlletin

bùllshit one word

bùlwark

búmblebee cf. Dímbleby

búmf

Búnsen bürner

buŏy sea BrE = bŏy child; bûoy sea AmE *bûêe

buŏyant *bŏyant

bürden load = Bürdon person

bûreau *byûrô, plural bûreaux, *byûrôz, cf. pólitburo

bureaucracy *byû-rócracy

bureaucrátic: -eau- as schwa: *byurəcrátic

bürger hamburger = bürgher business = Bërger person

bürgeoning

burial *bérrial, from bury

Burkìna Fáso -ss-

Bürma

bürn fire, stream = Bÿrne name cf. Bérne Switzerland

bürqa cf. bürger, BrE minimal pair

búrrow ground = AmE bòrôugh town cf. Búrrôughs person

bury ground = bérry tree = Bury England

bús transport = búss kiss

búsed driven or bússed = búst bosom, broke

búses plural, verb *bússes

bùsh

búsing -ss-

business *bízniss, cf. bíz, busy-ness, busyness being busy

businessman one word, bíz-

bússed or búsed driven = búst bosom, broken

busy bíz-

busybody *bízzybódy-, one word

busy-ness, busyness busy cf. business affair, money, both bíz-

bûte drug = beaût beautiful = Bûte Scotland

bútler = Bútler = Búttler

bútt head, joke, buttocks = bút however

bútterfly

bútton

búxom

buŷ sell = bŷ preposition = bŷ- incidental = bŷe cricket = bî- two = bî bisexual = Baŷh

bwàna

bŷe-bye!

bŷ-election

bŷ-product

Bÿrd person = bïrd fly

bŷte computer = bîte teeth = bîght bay

Býzantîne, Býzantìne, *Bŷ-zántîne, *Bŷ-zántíne; can be b- when meaning intricate

Byzántìum *Bŷ-zántìəm

  1. ↑ https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/may/03/jeremy-corbyn-bernie-sanders-labour-leader
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