English spellings/Catalogs/A: Difference between revisions

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{{subpages}}
{{:English_spellings/Catalogs/Masterlist}}
{{:English_spellings/Catalogs/Masterlist}}


'''Â''' ''letter'' = '''èh?''' ''what?'' (names of letters are usually written as capitals in text: '''the létter Â''', '''ín B flát mâjor''', etc.)
'''Â''' ''letter'' = '''èh?''' ''what?'' (names of letters are usually written as capitals in text: '''the létter Â''', '''ín B-flát mâjor''', etc.)


'''a''' ''article'' *ə: [[schwa]].  It can be a strong form '''â''', like the name of the letter '''Â''', but habitual use, beloved of politicians and the like, sounds pompous; it can however be used for emphasis, meaning 'one', as for example of a tennis player trailing 4-6 2-0: '''At lêast hê lêads ín â sét.'''
'''a''' ''article'' *ə: [[schwa]] = '''uh'''.  It can be a strong form '''â''', like the name of the letter '''Â''', but this is almost always unnecessary and pompous-sounding, and is typical of politicians and the like; it can however be used for emphasis, meaning 'one', as for example of a tennis player trailing 4-6 2-0: '''At lêast hê lêads ín ''â'' sét.''' (The British weak form of '''àre''' is also *ə.)


'''Â-sîde
'''Â-sîde
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'''àardvark'''
'''àardvark'''


'''Ãaron'''; also '''Ãron''' or '''Áron''' and now some say '''Áaron''' = '''Árran''' ''Isle''  
'''Ãaron''' BrE; AmE '''Áaron''' = '''Árron''' = '''[[Isle of Arran|Árran]]''' ''Isle''; also '''Ãron'''/'''Áron'''  
 
'''[[Aaron Copland|Áaron'''/'''Ãaron Côpland]]'''  


'''ábacus
'''ábacus
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'''abándoned''': not -nned
'''abándoned''': not -nned


'''[[ABBA|Ábba]]''', normally lower-case in English<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/music/4366574.stm As exemplified by this BBC publication] ''BBC News,'' 23 October 2005.  Retrieved 1 August 2007.</ref> (in [[Swedish language|Swedish]], capitalised, an [[acronym]] of the band's first names)
'''[[ABBA|Ábba]]''', normal name case in English;<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/music/4366574.stm Abba win 'Eurovision 50th' vote] ''BBC News,'' 23 October 2005.  Retrieved 1 August 2007.</ref> Abba themselves use all upper case, preferably with the first B reversed to make symmetrical sense as it's an acronym of their first names  


'''Abbàs'''
'''Abbàs'''
'''ábbey''' = '''Ábbey''' = '''Ábby'''
'''Ábbottabad''' or '''Abbóttabad
'''ABC''' ''alphabet'' *Ây-Bêe-Cêe (not to mention *Dêe-Êe-éF-Gêe-âitcH-Î-Jây-Kây-éL-éM-éN-Ô-Pêe-Queûe-àR-éSs-Têe-yÛ-Vêe-dúblyeŴ-éX-wŶe-Zéd/Zêe)


'''ábdomen'''
'''ábdomen'''


'''abdóminal'''
'''abdóminal'''
'''Âbe''' ''Abraham'', '''Àbè''' ''Shinzo''


'''Aberdêen'''
'''Aberdêen'''


'''áberrant''' *ábberant, cf. '''érrant
'''Aberfán''' *Áber-ván, per [[Welsh language|Welsh]]
 
'''áberrant''' *ábberant, or '''abérrant''', cf. '''érrant


'''aberrâtion'''
'''aberrâtion'''
Line 38: Line 49:
'''abhŏr'''
'''abhŏr'''


'''abhórrent'''
'''abhórrent''' ('''h''' may be silent)
 
'''ábject''' cf. '''óbject''', '''objéct'''


'''âble''' ''capable'' = '''Âbel''' ''person''  
'''âble''' ''capable'' = '''Âbel''' ''person''  


'''abòut''' *əbòut
'''abòut''' = '''a bòut''' ''boxing'' *əbòut


'''abòut-türn
'''abòut-türn
'''abòve'''
'''abrǒad'''


'''ábscéss''' (-'''bsc'''-)
'''ábscéss''' (-'''bsc'''-)
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'''ábsence'''
'''ábsence'''


'''ábsent'''
'''ábsent''', cf. '''in abséntia'''


'''absŏrb
'''absŏrb
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'''abstrûse''' -ss
'''abstrûse''' -ss
'''abûse''' noun, -ss; verb, -z
'''abúzz


'''abýsmal''' -zməl
'''abýsmal''' -zməl
Line 77: Line 98:


'''acádemy'''
'''acádemy'''
'''accêde''' ''accession'' ≈ '''excêed''' ''more


'''accélerate''' əx-, cf. '''excél''', '''éxcellent
'''accélerate''' əx-, cf. '''excél''', '''éxcellent
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'''accépt''' ''receive'' əx-, cf. '''excépt''' ''exception'' íx- ([[minimal pair]])
'''accépt''' ''receive'' əx-, cf. '''excépt''' ''exception'' íx- ([[minimal pair]])


'''áccess''' ''noun'' *áxéss, cf. '''áxis''' ([[minimal pair]])
'''accéptable
 
'''áccess''' ''noun'' *áxéss, cf. '''áxis''' centre ([[minimal pair]]), '''áxes''' ''axe'' *axiz


'''accéss''' ''verb'' *əxéss, cf. '''excéss''', *ixéss ([[minimal pair]])
'''accéss''' ''verb'' *əxéss, cf. '''excéss''', *ixéss ([[minimal pair]])
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'''accidéntally''' áx-
'''accidéntally''' áx-
'''acclâim''' = '''a clâim'''


'''áccolade'''
'''áccolade'''
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'''accòmplísh''' ''achieve'' BrE; AmE  '''accómplísh'''
'''accòmplísh''' ''achieve'' BrE; AmE  '''accómplísh'''
'''accoûtrement


'''Accrà'''
'''Accrà'''
'''accrédited


'''accrûe''' cf. '''acróss'''
'''accrûe''' cf. '''acróss'''


'''acërbic'''
'''accürsed''' *accürsid
 
'''âce'''
 
'''acërbic''' cf. '''ascertâin


'''âche''' *âke
'''âche''' *âke


'''achìêve'''
'''achìêve'''
'''acknówledge''' *əc-nólij


'''ácmê'''
'''ácmê'''
'''ácnê'''
'''ácolŷte


'''acquiésce''' *ákwì-éss, cf. '''quiéscent''' *kwì-éssent, '''quîet''' *kwîət
'''acquiésce''' *ákwì-éss, cf. '''quiéscent''' *kwì-éssent, '''quîet''' *kwîət
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'''âcreage''' *âkerage
'''âcreage''' *âkerage
'''ácrimony'''
'''ácronym
'''Acrópolis


'''acróss''' cf. '''accrûe
'''acróss''' cf. '''accrûe
Line 137: Line 184:


'''adàgio''' -jô
'''adàgio''' -jô
'''adaptâtion''', cf. '''adóption


'''ádd''' ''more'' = '''ád''' ''advertisement''  
'''ádd''' ''more'' = '''ád''' ''advertisement''  
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'''addréss''' BrE = '''a dréss'''; AmE '''áddress
'''addréss''' BrE = '''a dréss'''; AmE '''áddress
'''Adéle
'''Âden''' ''Yemen'' = '''Âidan''' ''person''


'''adhêre''' ('''d''' and '''h''' pronounced separately)
'''adhêre''' ('''d''' and '''h''' pronounced separately)
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'''ád hóc''', two words
'''ád hóc''', two words
'''ád infinîtum''', cf. '''ínfinite''', '''infínitive


'''ádjective''' cf. '''ejécted'''
'''ádjective''' cf. '''ejécted'''
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'''adjúst''' *ajúst
'''adjúst''' *ajúst


'''ád nåusêám'''
'''admínistrate'''
 
'''administrâtion'''
 
'''admínistrative'''; some AmE '''administrâtive'''
 
'''admîre'''
 
'''ádmirable''' *ádmrbl
 
'''ád nåusêám''' (-ziám) or pronounced, but not spelt *ád nåusêum (-ziəm)


'''adôbê'''
'''adôbê'''
'''Ádolf''' = '''Ádolph'''; some AmE: '''Âdolf'''
'''adóption


'''adrénalín''', '''adrénaline
'''adrénalín''', '''adrénaline


<nowiki>*</nowiki>adréss '''addréss
<nowiki>*</nowiki>adréss '''addréss
'''ádult''' BrE; AmE '''adúlt
'''adúltery


'''advānce'''
'''advānce'''
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'''ádvërt'''
'''ádvërt'''


'''ádvertise''' never -îze
'''ádvertise''' pronounced, but never spelt -îze


'''advërtísement''' BrE;  AmE '''ádvertîsement
'''ádvertîsement''' AmE *ádvertîzemənt, like the verb, above
 
'''advërtísement''' BrE *ədvërtíssmənt


'''advîce''' ''noun'' -ss
'''advîce''' ''noun'' -ss
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'''advîser''' = '''advîsor''' (alternatives)
'''advîser''' = '''advîsor''' (alternatives)
'''ádze''', '''ádz''' ''tool'' = '''áds''' ''adverts''


'''Aêgêan''' *Êjêən
'''Aêgêan''' *Êjêən
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'''affrònt''' cf. '''effròntery
'''affrònt''' cf. '''effròntery


'''Afghánistān''' Áf-gán-; locally often Áf-hán-
'''Afghánistān''' Áf-gán- (-wán-, -hán- -wàn-, etc. are local pronunciations)


'''Áfghán''' cf. '''Áfrican''' -ən
'''Áfghán''' cf. '''Áfrican''' -ən


'''aficionàdo'''
'''aficionàdo''' -físh- or -físsy-


'''afrâid'''
'''afrâid'''
'''afrésh''' ''anew'' (adverb) = '''a frésh'''


'''África'''
'''África'''
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'''āfterthŏught''' -åwt, one word
'''āfterthŏught''' -åwt, one word


'''āfterwards'''
'''āfterward''' AmE, BrE '''āfterwards'''


'''again''', '''against''': both have -én, but for some speakers there is a regular [[spelling pronunciation]]: '''agâin''', '''agâinst
'''āfterwörd''' ''preface''
 
'''again''', '''against''': both have -én, but for some speakers there is a regular [[spelling pronunciation]]: '''agâin''', '''agâinst


'''agâpe''' ''gaping''
'''agâpe''' ''gaping''


'''ágapê''' ''eros''
'''ágapê''' ''eros''
'''ággravate
'''aggréssion
'''aggriêved


'''âge''' cf. '''édge''': Francophones beware
'''âge''' cf. '''édge''': Francophones beware


'''âged''' as in '''âged 20''' (not *âge 20) pronounced *âyjd; when meaning ''old'', *âyjíd
'''âged''': as in '''âged 20''', pronounced *âyjd; when meaning ''old'' before a noun ('''an âged mán'''), *âyjíd  


'''âgeing''', '''âging''', *âjing
'''âgeing''' (BrE), '''âging''' (AmE), *âjing


'''âgeist''' *âjist
'''âgeist''' *âjist


'''âge-ôld''' hyphenated
'''âge-ôld''' hyphenated
'''ágîle'''


'''agô'''
'''agô'''
'''ágora'''


'''ágriculture'''
'''ágriculture'''


'''àh''' ''response'' ≈ '''àaah''' ''sentiment'' ≈ '''àaargh''' ''disgust'' (in the latter cases more '''a''''s may be added)  
'''àh''' ''response'' ≈ '''àaah''' ''sentiment'' ≈ '''àaargh''' ''disgust'' (in the latter cases more '''a''''s may be added)  
'''ahà'''
'''ahem''': [[schwa]]s
'''Àhmad Jamál


'''âid'''  ''help'' = '''âide''' ''assistant''; '''Âids''' or '''ÂIDS''' ''disease'' = '''âids''', '''âides''' ''plurals''
'''âid'''  ''help'' = '''âide''' ''assistant''; '''Âids''' or '''ÂIDS''' ''disease'' = '''âids''', '''âides''' ''plurals''
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'''Âids''' or '''ÂIDS'''  ''disease'' = '''âids''', '''âides''' ''plurals''
'''Âids''' or '''ÂIDS'''  ''disease'' = '''âids''', '''âides''' ''plurals''


'''ãir'''  ''breathe'' = '''Ãyr''' ''Scotland'' = '''ére''' ''before'' = '''é’er''' ''ever'' = '''héir''' ''estate'' = [[Jane Eyre|'''Éyre''' ''Jane'']]; AmE '''ãir''' = AmE '''érr''', cf. BrE '''ërr''' *üh
'''ãir'''  ''breathe'' = '''Ãyr''' ''Scotland'' = '''ére''' ''before'' = '''é’er''' ''ever'' = '''héir''' ''estate'' = [[Jane Eyre|'''Éyre''' ''Jane'']] = '''Ãire''' ''river''; AmE '''ãir''' = AmE '''érr''', cf. BrE '''ërr''' *üh


'''ãiry'''  ''light'' = all four spellings of '''éyrie''' = '''éyry''' = '''ãerie''' = '''ãery''' ''bird'', cf. '''êerie''' ''strange''
'''ãiry'''  ''light'' = all four spellings of '''éyrie''' = '''éyry''' = '''ãerie''' = '''ãery''' ''bird'', cf. '''êerie''' ''strange''
'''aîsle''' ''walking space'' = '''îsle''' ''island''


'''Âix'''  ''France'' = '''âches''' ''ache''
'''Âix'''  ''France'' = '''âches''' ''ache''


'''alîgn''' = '''a lîne''', cf. '''állŷ''' ''friend'', '''állêy''' ''way''
aj-: most words that sound as if they start like this actually have '''adj'''-
 
'''aîsle''' ''walking space'' = '''îsle''' ''island''


'''Ajáccio''' *Azháxio
'''Ajáccio''' *Azháxio


'''Àjax''' ''Amsterdam'' *Àyáx
'''Àjáx''' ''Amsterdam'' *Àyáx


'''Âjax''' ''person''  
'''Âjáx''' ''person''  


'''áka''' or '''ákà''' (can be capitals), acronym of '''ålso knôwn as'''
'''áka''' or '''ákà''' (can be capitals), acronym of '''ålso knôwn as'''
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'''Ál''' ''Arabic'' may be hyphenated to following capital-letter word in Arabic name; may also be '''ál'''
'''Ál''' ''Arabic'' may be hyphenated to following capital-letter word in Arabic name; may also be '''ál'''


'''à là
'''à là''' ('''''à la''''')


'''Alabáma''' ('''Á'''): one '''m''', cf. '''Montána''', '''Louisiána
'''Alabáma''' ('''Á'''): one '''m''', cf. '''Montána''', '''Louisiána
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'''alás'''
'''alás'''
'''Álawite'''


'''Albânia'''  ('''Á''')
'''Albânia'''  ('''Á''')


'''Ålbany'''  
'''Ålbany'''  
'''albêdo
'''albêit''' *åll bê ít, cf. '''sô bê ít


'''Álbert'''
'''Álbert'''


'''Albuquërquê''' *Albəkïrky
'''albìno
 
'''Álbion'''
 
'''Albuquërquê''' *Álbə-kïrky
 
'''Aldébaran'''


'''Åldwých'''
'''Åldwých''' *åll dwítch


'''âle'''  ''beer'' = '''âil''' ''ailing''
'''âle'''  ''beer'' = '''âil''' ''ailing''
'''Álfa Romèo''', cf. '''álpha''', '''Rômêo


'''Álfred'''
'''Álfred'''


'''álgaê''' *áljê or *álgy
'''álgaê''' *áljê or *álgy
'''Algàrve


'''álgorithm'''  rhymes with '''rhýthm
'''álgorithm'''  rhymes with '''rhýthm


'''Áli''' ''person'' = '''álley''' ''walk'', except '''Muhámmad Alì''' *Àh-lêe ''boxer''
'''Áli''' = '''Álly''' = '''Álley''' = '''álley''' ''walk'', although '''Muhámmad Alì''' ''boxer'' is often pronounced *Àh-lêe; cf. '''állŷ''' *állîe ''friend''


'''âlias''' *âlius
'''âlias''' *âlius, cf. '''Alîas''' ''Don''


'''Álíce'''
'''álibî'''


'''alîgn''' = '''a lîne''', cf. '''állŷ
'''Álíce''' = '''Álliss


'''Álistair''' = '''Álastair
'''âlien'''


'''âlias'''
'''alienâtion'''


'''álibî'''
'''alîgn''' = '''a lîne''', cf. '''állŷ''' ''friend'', '''állêy''' ''way''


'''âlien'''
'''alîgned''' *allîned, cf. '''állied'''


'''alienâtion'''
'''Álison''' = '''Állison''', probably the former more common as given name, the latter as family name


'''alîgned''' *allîned, cf. '''állied'''
'''Álistair''' = '''Álastair


'''alîve'''
'''alîve'''


'''åll'''  ''every'' = '''åwl''' ''tool'', cf. '''Ál''' ''a name''
'''åll'''  ''every'' = '''åwl''' ''tool'', cf. '''Ál''' ''name''


'''allegâtions''' *allogations
'''allegâtions''' *allogations
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'''állêy''' ''path'' = '''Áli''' ''person'', cf. '''állŷ  
'''állêy''' ''path'' = '''Áli''' ''person'', cf. '''állŷ  
'''allîance


'''álligâtor'''
'''álligâtor'''


'''allót''' ''assign'' = '''a lót''' ''much''
'''allót''' ''assign'' = '''a lót''' ''much''; cf. '''Állott


'''åll-òut''' ''total'' before noun needs hyphen
'''åll-òut''' ''total'' before noun needs hyphen
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'''allûsion''', əl-, cf. '''illûsion''', '''íl'''-
'''allûsion''', əl-, cf. '''illûsion''', '''íl'''-


'''állŷ''' ''friend'' cf. '''állêy''', '''alîgn'''
'''állŷ''' ''friend'', cf. '''Álly''' = '''Álì''' = '''állêy'''


'''allŷ''' ''verb'', cf. '''Álì''' ''person''
'''allŷ''' ''verb'' = '''a lîe''', cf. '''alîgn''' = '''a lîne'''


'''ålmanac'''
'''ålmanac'''


'''àlmond''' *àhmond
'''àlmond''' *àhmənd


'''ålmost'''
'''ålmost'''


'''àlms''' ''gift'' = BrE '''àrms''' ''body, weapons''
'''àlms''' ''gift'' = BrE '''àrms''' ''body, weapons''
'''álôe


'''alône
'''alône


'''alóngside''' one word
'''alóngsîde''' one word
 
'''a lót''' ''many'' = '''allót''' ''assign'' (*alót)
 
'''a lót of''' ''many'' (*əlótəv)


'''alòud''' ''audible'' = '''allòwed''' ''permitted''
'''alòud''' ''audible'' = '''allòwed''' ''permitted''
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'''Aloýsius''' *Aləwíshəss
'''Aloýsius''' *Aləwíshəss


'''ál-Qàêda'''; or '''ál-Qà'êda''', but rarely nowadays does one hear an anglophone pronounce the glottal stop between the '''a''' and '''e''' in the original [[Arabic]] pronunciation: the usual British English is *Ál-Kŷda; = '''ál-Qàìda''' = '''ál-Qà'ìda''', and the usual American pronunciation is '''ál-Qâeda
'''ál-Qàêda''' (or '''Ál-'''; also minus hyphen) *ál-Kŷda (rarely does one hear an anglophone sound or suggest the glottal stop that is present in the [[Arabic]]: *álkà-êda)


'''alréady''' ''before'' = '''åll réady''' ''ready''
'''alréady''' ''before'' = '''åll réady''' ''ready''
Line 391: Line 512:


'''ålso'''
'''ålso'''
'''ålt-'''


'''ålter''' ''change'' = '''åltar''' ''church''  
'''ålter''' ''change'' = '''åltar''' ''church''  
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<nowiki>*</nowiki>altêrior '''ultêrior
<nowiki>*</nowiki>altêrior '''ultêrior


'''altërnate''' ''adjective''
'''altërnate''' BrE; AmE '''ålternate''' ''adjective''


'''ålternâte''' ''verb''
'''ålternâte''' ''verb''


'''altërnative'''
'''altërnatíve'''
 
'''althôugh''' *åll-dhô
 
'''álto'''


'''althôugh''' *åldhô
'''áltruism


'''alumínium''' BrE; AmE '''alûminum'''
'''alumínium''' BrE; AmE '''alûminum'''


'''áltruism
'''alúmnus'''


'''alvêolar'''
'''alvêolar'''


'''ålways ''' ''ever'' cf. '''áll wâys''' ''methods, styles
'''ålways ''' ''ever'' cf. '''áll wâys''' ''methods, styles
'''Álzheîmer's''' is probably the most common British pronunciation, '''Å'''- ditto in AmE; also, '''À'''-


'''ám''' ''be''
'''ám''' ''be''


'''âm''' ''ante meridian'' *â-ém
'''âm''' ''morning (ante meridian)'' *â-ém = '''a.m.''' (lower case)
 
'''amanuénsis''', cf. '''Emmánuel'''


'''ámateur''' *ámətər; AmE can be '''amateûr'''
'''ámateur''' *ámətər; AmE can be '''amateûr'''
'''amâze
'''Ámazon


'''ambássador''' cf. '''émbassy
'''ambássador''' cf. '''émbassy


'''ámbergrìs''' BrE; AmE '''ámbergrís''', '''s''' pronounced
'''ámbergrìs''' BrE, AmE '''ámbergrís'''; '''s''' may be silent
 
'''ámbiance'''
 
'''ámbient'''


'''ambíguous
'''ambíguous
Line 443: Line 582:


'''ámícable'''
'''ámícable'''
'''amíss''' ''awry'', cf. '''Âmíss''', '''Âmís''' ''names''
'''Ammàn


'''ammunítion''' *ámyù-níshən
'''ammunítion''' *ámyù-níshən
'''amnêsia'''


'''ámnesty
'''ámnesty
Line 460: Line 605:
'''ânal
'''ânal


'''ánalŷse'''
'''ánalŷse''' ''verb'' *ánnəlîze


'''análysês''' ''plural'' *ənáləssêez
'''ánalŷses''' ''verb'' and '''análysês''' ''noun'' *ənáləssêez are [[homophone|homographs]]; the first is the third person singular present tense of the verb (above), the second the plural of the noun (below)


'''análysis''' ''singular'' *ənáləssís
'''análysis''' ''noun'' *ənáləssís


'''ánalýst'''
'''ánalýst'''


'''ánarchy''' *ánəkỳ
'''anàrchic''' -kik
 
'''ánarchist''' -kist
 
'''ánarchy''' *ánə(r)kỳ


'''anáthema
'''anáthema
Line 482: Line 631:
'''áncillãry''' AmE, BrE '''ancíllary
'''áncillãry''' AmE, BrE '''ancíllary


'''and''' *ənd, sometimes '''ánd''' for emphasis = '''&
'''and''' *ənd, sometimes '''ánd''' for emphasis = '''&''' (the [[ampersand]], always unstressed and used in proprietory names, show business acts, etc.)
 
'''Andalucìa''' (some say -thìa in imitation of the European Spanish pronunciation)


'''andántè'''
'''andántè'''
Line 495: Line 646:
   
   
'''Andórra''' BrE, AmE -'''ŏrr'''-, cf. '''Pandŏra'''
'''Andórra''' BrE, AmE -'''ŏrr'''-, cf. '''Pandŏra'''
'''Ándrêa''' (first of three syllables stressed) is an English girl's name; '''Andrèa''' (second of three) is a German boy's name; both end in [[schwa]]: -ə


'''Andrómeda
'''Andrómeda
Line 500: Line 653:
'''Ándreŵ'''
'''Ándreŵ'''


'''anémonê''' cf. '''an énemy'''
'''anémonê''' *an-émeny, cf. '''an énemy'''
 
'''Ánerley'''
 
'''aneŵ''' ''afresh'' (adverb) = '''a neŵ'''  


'''ângel''' *ânjəl, cf. '''ángle
'''ângel''' *ânjəl, cf. '''ángle
'''Ángela'''
'''Ángelô''' = '''Ángelôu''' ''Maya'', though '''Ángeloû''' is very common


'''ánger''' BrE *áng-gə
'''ánger''' BrE *áng-gə


'''angîna''' *án-jînə
'''angîna''' *án-jînə
'''ángle''' hard '''g''', cf. '''ângel''' *âynjl


'''Ánglia
'''Ánglia
Line 513: Line 676:


'''Ánglo-Sáxon
'''Ánglo-Sáxon
'''Angôla'''


'''ángry''' *áng-gry
'''ángry''' *áng-gry
Line 521: Line 686:
'''Anguíllan''' -gwí-
'''Anguíllan''' -gwí-
'''ánimè


'''ánimus''' cf. '''ûnánimous'''
'''ánimus''' cf. '''ûnánimous'''


'''áníse''' cf. '''Álíce''' ([[minimal pair]])
'''áníse''' cf. '''Álíce''' ([[minimal pair]])
'''Anìta Ànand'''


'''Ánkara'''
'''Ánkara'''
<nowiki>*</nowiki>ánker is a misspelling of '''ánchor'''
'''ánkle'''


'''ánnals''' cf. '''ánalyst'''
'''ánnals''' cf. '''ánalyst'''
'''[[Kofi Annan|Ánnan]]''': second '''a''' as [[schwa]], rhymes with '''cánnon''', making a [[minimal pair]] with '''Árran''' (but widely mispronounced with the stress on the second syllable, perhaps by analogy with '''[[Amman|Ammàn]]''')<ref name="Crossette">{{Cite news|last=Crossette |first=Barbara |title=New U.N. Chief Promises Reforms but Says He Won't Cut Jobs |work=New York Times |date=10 January 1997 |url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B0CE1D81638F933A25752C0A961958260 |accessdate=25 February 2008}}</ref>


'''annéx'''  ''verb''
'''annéx'''  ''verb''
Line 534: Line 709:
'''ánnex''' or '''ánnexe'''  ''noun''
'''ánnex''' or '''ánnexe'''  ''noun''


'''annîhilate''' *annîyílâte
'''annîhilate''' *annîəlâte


'''annúl''' cf. '''ánnal
'''annúl''' cf. '''ánnal
Line 541: Line 716:


'''anómaly'''
'''anómaly'''
'''anón''' ''soon'' = '''anón.''' ''anonymous''


'''ánonýmity'''
'''ánonýmity'''
Line 549: Line 726:


'''anòther''' one word
'''anòther''' one word
'''[[Anschluss|ánschlùss]]


'''ānswer''', silent '''w''': BrE *ànsə, AmE *ánsr
'''ānswer''', silent '''w''': BrE *ànsə, AmE *ánsr
Line 560: Line 739:
'''ántê'''- ''before'' = BrE '''ántì''' ''against
'''ántê'''- ''before'' = BrE '''ántì''' ''against


'''Ánthony''' (usual) = '''Ántony''' ''Mark'', -tə-
'''anténna
 
'''anténnaê''' BrE = AmE '''anténnê''', though some BrE speakers, perhaps recalling school Latin, say -nàê (-nî)
 
'''Ánthony''' ''usual'' = '''Ántony''' ''Mark'', -tə-
 
'''ántì''' BrE (AmE '''ántî''') ''against'' = '''ántê'''- ''before''; '''prô''' and '''ánti''' are always hyphenated to a following word they modify: '''prô-wår''' and '''ánti-wår'''
 
'''antibiótic'''


'''ántì''' BrE, AmE '''ántî''' ''against'' = '''ántê'''- ''before''
'''ántícs'''  


'''ántidote'''
'''ántidote'''


'''Antìgua''' -gə
'''antimacássar'''
 
'''Antìgua''' *Án-têegə
 
'''antípodês'''
 
'''antìque''' *án-têek


'''antirrhînum''' *antirŷnum
'''antirrhînum''' *antirŷnum


'''antisemític
'''antisemític''', '''anti-Semític''' ''anti-Jewish'' ([[Antisemitism|euphemism?]] "[[Semitic languages|Semitic]]" refers to a language group that includes [[Arabic language|Arabic]] and [[Amharic language|Amharic]] as well as [[Israel]]'s [[Hebrew language|Hebrew]])
 
'''antisémitism''' (or '''anti-Sémitism''', but what, then, is 'Semitism'?)


'''antisémitism''' (some prefer 'anti-Semitism', but what, then, is 'Semitism'?)
'''Ántón''', cf. '''Ánthony''', '''Ántony


'''anxîety''' *angzîety
'''anxîety''' *angzîəty


'''ánxious''' *ángkshəss or *ángshəss
'''ánxious''' *ángkshəss or *ángshəss


'''any'''  ''thing'' é-, cf. '''Ánnie'''  ''person''
'''any'''  ''some'' *énny makes a [[minimal pair]] with '''Ánnie'''  ''person''


'''anybody''' *énnybódy one word
'''anybody''' *énnybódy one word


'''any mŏre''', '''anymŏre''' *énny-mŏre: the one-word form is [[American English]]
'''any mŏre''', '''anymŏre''' *énny-mŏre: the one-word form, restricted to the meaning ''no longer'', is [[American English]]: '''ít dòesn't mátter anymŏre'''


'''anyone''' ''anybody'' *énnywún, one word; otherwise two: '''any òne îtem''', where '''òne''' is a numeral: cf. '''any thrêe óptions
'''anyone''' ''anybody'' *énnywún, one word; otherwise two: '''any òne îtem''', where '''òne''' is a numeral: cf. '''any thrêe óptions


'''anyway'''  ''despite, one word'', cf. where '''wây''' is a noun: any wây yoû loòk at ít
'''anyway'''  ''despite'' one word, cf. where '''wây''' is a noun: '''any wây yoû loòk at ít''', '''dôn't chânge ít ín any wây'''
 
'''ãorist'''


'''apâce'''  ''fast'' = '''a pâce'''  ''step''
'''apâce'''  ''fast'' = '''a pâce'''  ''step''
Line 592: Line 789:
'''apàrt''' ''separate'' = '''a pàrt''' ''section'', hence '''apàrt from''' and ''' a pàrt of'''
'''apàrt''' ''separate'' = '''a pàrt''' ''section'', hence '''apàrt from''' and ''' a pàrt of'''


'''apàrtheîd''' -tîte or -tâte
'''apàrtheîd''' -tîte or '''apàrthèid''' -tâte


'''apéritìf'''  ''either stressed''
'''apéritìf'''  either stressed


'''aphêlion''' *áfêlian
'''aphêlion''' *əfêliən, *əp-hêliən


'''âphid
'''âphid
Line 603: Line 800:


'''aplénty
'''aplénty
'''aplómb''' *əplóm


'''apócalypse'''
'''apócalypse'''
'''apócryphal''', cf. '''êpoch''' -óc, '''crýpt
'''ápogêe''' -jì


'''apólogîse'''  ''verb''
'''apólogîse'''  ''verb''


'''apólogíes'''  ''plural noun''
'''apólogíes'''  ''plural noun''
<nowiki>*</nowiki>apón '''upón


'''apóstasy'''
'''apóstasy'''
'''apóstate
'''apóstle


'''apóstrophê'''
'''apóstrophê'''
'''ápp''', abbreviation of '''applicátion'''; there is also a surname '''Ápps


'''appål'''; AmE can be '''appåll'''
'''appål'''; AmE can be '''appåll'''


'''Appalâchia''' -sh- or -'''ch'''-; or '''Appaláchia''' -'''ch'''- (though [[Frederick Delius|Delius]] pronounced it, and his musical work, [[Appalachia|Appalàkia]])
'''[[Appalachia|Appalâchia]]''' -sh- or -'''ch'''-; or '''Appaláchia''' -'''ch'''- (though [[Frederick Delius|Delius]] pronounced it, and his musical work, [[Appalachia (Delius)|*Appalàkia]])


'''appålling'''
'''appålling'''
Line 622: Line 833:
'''apparátchik'''
'''apparátchik'''


'''ápparâtus''' BrE  either stressed (to children '''apparatus''' can sound plural, ‘apperators’); AmE '''apparátus
'''ápparâtus''' BrE  either stressed (to children it can sound plural, ‘apperators’, like '''óperators'''); AmE '''apparátus


'''appárel'''
'''appárel'''
Line 637: Line 848:


<nowiki>*</nowiki>appôse '''oppôse
<nowiki>*</nowiki>appôse '''oppôse
'''ápposíte'''
'''apprôpriate''' ''adjective'', '''apprôpriâte''' ''verb''


'''approval'''  -prû-
'''approval'''  -prû-
Line 653: Line 868:


'''aquátic
'''aquátic
'''áqueduct'''


'''áqueous
'''áqueous
Line 662: Line 879:
'''A&R''' *ayənàr
'''A&R''' *ayənàr


'''Árab''' ''adjective, person''
'''ár'''- BrE is '''ãr'''- for some AmE speakers: '''ãrrogant''', etc.
 
'''Árab''' ''adjective, person'', some AmE '''Ãrab''' 


'''Arâbian'''  ''adjective''
'''Arâbian'''  ''adjective''


'''Árabic'''  ''language''
'''Árabic'''  ''language'', some AmE '''Ãrabic''' 
 
'''árable'''
 
'''àrbíter
 
'''àrbítrary


'''àrc''' ''circle'' = '''Àrk''' ''Noah'' = '''Àrc''' ''Joan
'''àrc''' ''circle'' = '''Àrk''' ''Noah'' = '''Àrc''' ''Joan


'''àrced''' ''arc'' *àrkt
'''àrced''' ''arc'' *àrkt
'''àrch''', '''ch''' sound, *àrtsh, unlike most of the following (the exceptions being the versions with '''bíshop''' and '''dêacon''')


'''archâíc''' *àrkâyíc
'''archâíc''' *àrkâyíc
'''archângel''' àrk-
'''archbíshop''' àrtch-
'''archdêacon''' àrtch-


'''archeólogy'''  àrk-
'''archeólogy'''  àrk-
'''Archimêdês''' Àrk-


'''archipélago''' àrk-
'''archipélago''' àrk-
'''àrchitect''' àrk-


'''àrchive''' *àrkîve
'''àrchive''' *àrkîve


'''àrchivist''' *àrkîvist, *àrkəvist
'''àrchivist''' *àrkîvist, *àrkəvist
'''arcmínute''', '''arcsécond''' both one word


'''Àrctic'''  
'''Àrctic'''  


'''àre''' BrE = '''àh
'''àre''' BrE = '''àh'''; BrE weak form = '''a''' weak form *ə; AmE weak form *r


'''Àrês''', '''Ãrês''' cf. '''Ãríes''' both -z
'''ãrêa''' ''space'' *ãrêə makes a [[minimal pair]] with '''ària''' ''song


'''ãrêa'''  ''space'' *ãrêə, cf. '''ària''', '''êra
'''arêna'''
 
'''Àrês''' ''Mars'', or = '''Ãríes'''/'''Ãriês''' ''Ram'', both -z


'''Argentìna''', '''Àrgentîne''', '''Argentínian''' = '''Argentínean''' Àrj-
'''Argentìna''', '''Àrgentîne''', '''Argentínian''' = '''Argentínean''' Àrj-
Line 694: Line 935:
'''àrgil'''  ''clay'', soft '''g
'''àrgil'''  ''clay'', soft '''g


'''Argŷll''' ''Scotland'' = '''Argŷle''' ''elsewhere'', hard '''g
'''argot''' ''slang'' = '''Àrgo''' ''ship''


'''àrgue
'''àrgue


'''àrgument
'''àrgument
'''Argŷll'''  ''Scotland'' = '''Argŷle''' ''elsewhere'', hard '''g


'''ària'''  ''opera'' cf. '''ãrea''' ''space
'''ària'''  ''opera'' cf. '''ãrea''' ''space
'''Ãrian''' ''Arius'', ''Aries'' = '''Ãryan''' ''race''
'''Ariàna'''
'''Àriàna Grànde''' AmE; BrE '''Áriàna Grándè'''
'''Ariáne'''


'''árid
'''árid
Line 706: Line 957:
'''Ãríes'''  -ríz
'''Ãríes'''  -ríz


'''árístocrat''' BrE '''á''' stressed, AmE '''í''' stressed
'''áristocrát''' BrE; AmE '''arístocrát'''


'''aristocrátic
'''aristocrátic
'''Aristóphanês'''
'''Áristótle'''


'''Àrk''' ''Noah'' = '''àrc''' ''circle'' = '''Àrc''' ''Joan
'''Àrk''' ''Noah'' = '''àrc''' ''circle'' = '''Àrc''' ''Joan


'''Àrkansas''' BrE ''-såw'', AmE ''-sà
'''Àrkansas''' BrE -såw, AmE -sà
 
'''aròund''' = '''a ròund
 
'''arrâign''' = '''a râin


'''arrêars
'''arrêars
Line 718: Line 977:
'''arrést
'''arrést


'''arrhythmic
'''arrhýthmic


'''àrsenal''' *àrssnəl
'''àrsenal''' *àrssnəl
'''àrsenic''' *àrssníc


'''àrson
'''àrson


'''arrhýthmic
'''àrt''' ''artist'' = '''Àrt''' ''Arthur''
 
'''àrt déco''' or '''Àrt Déco''' (may retain French accent on '''é''')


'''àrtefact
'''àrtefact''' BrE; AmE '''àrtifact


'''artêsian'''  ''well'' *àrtêzhən
'''artêsian'''  ''well'' *àrtêzhən
Line 737: Line 1,000:


'''artìste'''  ''stage''
'''artìste'''  ''stage''
'''Ãryan''' ''race'' = '''Ãrian''' ''heresy'', ''Aries
'''asbéstós


'''ascénd''': derived words can be spelt with either '''a''' or '''e''':
'''ascénd''': derived words can be spelt with either '''a''' or '''e''':
Line 748: Line 1,015:
'''ascént'''  ''climb'' = '''assént'''  ''agree''
'''ascént'''  ''climb'' = '''assént'''  ''agree''


'''ascertâin
'''ascertâin''' cf. '''acërbic
 
'''Áscot


'''ÁSEAN''' or '''Ásean'''  ''association'' *Ássián, cf. '''Âsian''' ''Asia'', *Âyzhən
'''ÁSEAN''' or '''Ásean'''  ''association'' *Ássián, cf. '''Âsian''' ''Asia'', *Âyzhən
Line 763: Line 1,032:


'''Ásperger's
'''Ásperger's
<nowiki>*</nowiki>áspéstóss '''asbéstos


'''ásphalt
'''ásphalt
Line 769: Line 1,040:


'''áspirin'''  ''medicine'' -spr-, cf. '''aspîring''' ''aspire
'''áspirin'''  ''medicine'' -spr-, cf. '''aspîring''' ''aspire
'''Ássád''', first syllable stressed, making a minimal pair with '''ácid'''
'''Assànge''' ''Julian'' -ànzh


'''assássin'''  has four '''s'''’s
'''assássin'''  has four '''s'''’s
Line 778: Line 1,053:
'''ássét
'''ássét


'''assîgn''' *assîne
'''assîgn''' *əssîne = '''a sîgn


'''assignâtion''', '''g''' sounded
'''assignâtion''' *ássíg-nâtion


'''assuâge''' rhymes with '''wâge
'''assîgnment''' *əssînemənt


'''assûme''' -syûme
'''assuâge''' *əsswâge
 
'''assûme''' *əssyûme


'''assûre''' AmE -shûre, BrE –shůre
'''assûre''' AmE -shûre, BrE –shůre


'''ásterisk
'''ásterisk
'''ásterism


'''Ásterix
'''Ásterix
Line 806: Line 1,085:
'''at lêast''' two words
'''at lêast''' two words


'''átóll
'''átmosphêre'''
 
'''atmosphéric'''
 
'''átóll''', some AmE '''âtóll'''
 
'''atône


'''âtrium
'''âtrium
Line 816: Line 1,101:
'''áttaboy'''  one word  
'''áttaboy'''  one word  


'''attáchè''' -áshè
'''attáchè''' -áshây


'''attácks''' = '''a táx
'''attácks''' = '''a táx
'''atténtion''' *əténshən makes a [[minimal pair]] with '''ténsion'''
'''Attíla''' *Atílla
<nowiki>*</nowiki>attône: '''atône


'''attörney
'''attörney
'''attríbutable
'''áttribute''' ''noun
'''Auchinleck''' *Ókhinleck, *Áffleck


'''Åuckland
'''Åuckland


'''auctionêer''' åukshə-
'''auctionêer''' åukshə-
'''åudio
'''auditǒrium


'''augmént
'''augmént
'''åugur''' = '''Åuger'''
'''åugury'''


'''augúst''' ''revered''
'''augúst''' ''revered''
Line 832: Line 1,137:
'''Åugust''' ''month''
'''Åugust''' ''month''


'''[[Aung San Suu Kyi| Àùng Sán Sûu Kyìi]]''' *Òwng Sán Sû Chêe
'''[[Auld Lang Syne|Åuld Láng Sŷne]]''' (from [[Robert Burns]], [[Scots language|Scots]], "Old Long Since") or ...*Zŷne
 
'''[[Aung San Suu Kyi| Àùng Sán Sûu Kyìi]]''' *Òwng Sán Sûe Chêe


'''āunt''' ''uncle'' AmE = '''ánt''' ''insect''
'''āunt''' ''uncle'' AmE = '''ánt''' ''insect''
Line 842: Line 1,149:
'''au pãir''', '''ôp-
'''au pãir''', '''ôp-


'''åural''' ''ear'' = '''ŏral''' ''mouth'', though the first may be pronounced '''àùral''' to distinguish it
'''åural''' ''ear'' = '''ŏral''' ''mouth'', by a coincidence of Latin, though the first may be pronounced '''àùral''' (*òwral) to distinguish it


'''Aus''' ''Australia'' = '''Óz''' ''Wizard
'''Aus''' ''Australia'' = '''Óz''' ''Wizard


'''Àùschwitz''' *Òwshvíts
'''Àùschwitz''' *Òushvíts


'''åuspices
'''åuspices
Line 863: Line 1,170:


'''authórity
'''authórity
'''åutism'''


'''àùtobàhn
'''àùtobàhn
Line 871: Line 1,180:


'''autúmnal''', '''n''' sounded
'''autúmnal''', '''n''' sounded
'''avâil''' = '''a vèil


'''ávalānche
'''ávalānche


'''ávant gàrde''' ('''gàrde''' = '''guàrd''') two words
'''ávant-gàrde''' ('''gàrde''' = '''guàrd''') hyphenated
 
'''avénge'''
 
'''avërt'''


'''Áviemore
'''Áviemore


'''avocàdo
'''avocàdo
'''avŏid'''


'''avoirdupŏis''' *ávədə-pŏiz
'''avoirdupŏis''' *ávədə-pŏiz


'''åwe
'''aẁash''' ''with'' = '''a ẁash
 
'''awây''' ''gone, going'' = '''a wây''' ''method, route'' = '''awêigh''' ''anchors
 
'''åwe''' ''amaze'' = BrE '''ŏr''', etc.


'''awêigh''' ''anchors'' = '''awây''' ''go''
'''awêigh''' ''anchors'' = '''awây''' ''go''
'''åwesome
'''åwestruck


'''åwful
'''åwful
'''awhîle''' ''adverb'' = '''a whîle''' ''noun''; the one-word form is often used incorrectly, as it can only be used after a verb, not after a preposition ('''ín''', '''āfter''', '''fŏr''' etc.); compare: '''línger awhîle''', '''stây awhîle''' with '''stây for a whîle''', '''hê'll bè hêre ín a whîle''', '''for a shŏrt whîle''', '''ít háppened a whîle báck''', '''ít's bêen a whîle


'''åwkward''' *åwquəd
'''åwkward''' *åwquəd
Line 892: Line 1,219:
'''åwl''' ''tool'' = '''åll''' ''total''
'''åwl''' ''tool'' = '''åll''' ''total''


'''ÂWOL
'''âwol''', '''ÂWOL


'''awrŷ
'''awrŷ''' *ərî


'''áxe''' ''chop'' BrE;  AmE '''áx''' (the plurals of '''áxe'''/'''áx''' and '''áxis''' have the same spelling, but different pronunciations, as follows)
'''áxe''' ''chop'' BrE;  AmE '''áx''' = '''ácts''' ''act'' (the plurals of '''áxe'''/'''áx''' and '''áxis''' have the same spelling, but different pronunciations, as follows)


'''áxes''' ''axe'' -íz
'''áxes''' ''axe'' -íz
Line 909: Line 1,236:


'''aŷe''' ''yes'' = '''eŷe''' ''see'' = '''Î''' ''me''
'''aŷe''' ''yes'' = '''eŷe''' ''see'' = '''Î''' ''me''
<nowiki>*</nowiki>Âyman '''Eâmonn''', cf. '''Hâyman'''


'''[[Ayn Rand|Aŷn Ránd]]
'''[[Ayn Rand|Aŷn Ránd]]

Latest revision as of 21:48, 24 May 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 A. 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]

 letter = èh? what? (names of letters are usually written as capitals in text: the létter Â, ín B-flát mâjor, etc.)

a article *ə: schwa = uh. It can be a strong form â, like the name of the letter Â, but this is almost always unnecessary and pompous-sounding, and is typical of politicians and the like; it can however be used for emphasis, meaning 'one', as for example of a tennis player trailing 4-6 2-0: At lêast hê lêads ín â sét. (The British weak form of àre is also *ə.)

Â-sîde

àaah sentiment ≈ àaargh disgust (to both more a's may be added) ≈ àh response

àardvark

Ãaron BrE; AmE Áaron = Árron = Árran Isle; also Ãron/Áron

Áaron/Ãaron Côpland

ábacus

abándoned: not -nned

Ábba, normal name case in English;[1] Abba themselves use all upper case, preferably with the first B reversed to make symmetrical sense as it's an acronym of their first names

Abbàs

ábbey = Ábbey = Ábby

Ábbottabad or Abbóttabad

ABC alphabet *Ây-Bêe-Cêe (not to mention *Dêe-Êe-éF-Gêe-âitcH-Î-Jây-Kây-éL-éM-éN-Ô-Pêe-Queûe-àR-éSs-Têe-yÛ-Vêe-dúblyeŴ-éX-wŶe-Zéd/Zêe)

ábdomen

abdóminal

Âbe Abraham, Àbè Shinzo

Aberdêen

Aberfán *Áber-ván, per Welsh

áberrant *ábberant, or abérrant, cf. érrant

aberrâtion

Aberýstwýth

abét

abhŏr

abhórrent (h may be silent)

ábject cf. óbject, objéct

âble capable = Âbel person

abòut = a bòut boxing *əbòut

abòut-türn

abòve

abrǒad

ábscéss (-bsc-)

ábsèil cf. sâil

ábsence

ábsent, cf. in abséntia

absŏrb

absŏrption

abstâin

absténtion

ábstinence

abstrûse -ss

abûse noun, -ss; verb, -z

abúzz

abýsmal -zməl

abýss

ácadême

acadêmia

académic

acádemy

accêde accession ≈ excêed more

accélerate əx-, cf. excél, éxcellent

áccent áx-

accéntuate -x-

accépt receive əx-, cf. excépt exception íx- (minimal pair)

accéptable

áccess noun *áxéss, cf. áxis centre (minimal pair), áxes axe *axiz

accéss verb *əxéss, cf. excéss, *ixéss (minimal pair)

áccident áx-

accidéntally áx-

acclâim = a clâim

áccolade

accómmodate: two c's and two m's

accòmpaniment

accòmpany

accòmplíce person BrE; AmE accómplíce

accòmplísh achieve BrE; AmE accómplísh

accoûtrement

Accrà

accrédited

accrûe cf. acróss

accürsed *accürsid

âce

acërbic cf. ascertâin

âche *âke

achìêve

acknówledge *əc-nólij

ácmê

ácnê

ácolŷte

acquiésce *ákwì-éss, cf. quiéscent *kwì-éssent, quîet *kwîət

acquîre *aquîre

acquít

âcreage *âkerage

ácrimony

ácronym

Acrópolis

acróss cf. accrûe

áctual *ákchəl

ácûmen *ákyəmən, cf. áccurate *ákyərət

ácupuncture

ádage

adàgio -jô

adaptâtion, cf. adóption

ádd more = ád advertisement

Áddis Ábaba

ádditive

addíctive

addréss BrE = a dréss; AmE áddress

Adéle

Âden Yemen = Âidan person

adhêre (d and h pronounced separately)

adhêsive (d and h pronounced separately)

ád hóc, two words

ád infinîtum, cf. ínfinite, infínitive

ádjective cf. ejécted

adjöurn

adjúst *ajúst

admínistrate

administrâtion

admínistrative; some AmE administrâtive

admîre

ádmirable *ádmrbl

ád nåusêám (-ziám) or pronounced, but not spelt *ád nåusêum (-ziəm)

adôbê

Ádolf = Ádolph; some AmE: Âdolf

adóption

adrénalín, adrénaline

*adréss addréss

ádult BrE; AmE adúlt

adúltery

advānce

ádvent

advénture

ádversary -vəsrỳ or advërsary

ádvërt

ádvertise pronounced, but never spelt -îze

ádvertîsement AmE *ádvertîzemənt, like the verb, above

advërtísement BrE *ədvërtíssmənt

advîce noun -ss

advîse verb pronounced but never spelt -îze

advîser = advîsor (alternatives)

ádze, ádz tool = áds adverts

Aêgêan *Êjêən

ãerial air = Ãriel person

ãerie bird = ãiry light and = variant spellings of bird: ãerie = éyrie = éyry

ãeroplane BrE; AmE ãirplane

Aêschylus BrE; AmE Êschylus *Êeskiləss

aêsthétics AmE ê-

afféct alter cf. efféct result í- or = afféct

áffect emotion

afféctive emotional cf. efféctive resultant

áffidâvit

áffluent

affrònt cf. effròntery

Afghánistān Áf-gán- (-wán-, -hán- -wàn-, etc. are local pronunciations)

Áfghán cf. Áfrican -ən

aficionàdo -físh- or -físsy-

afrâid

afrésh anew (adverb) = a frésh

África

Afrikàans -ànce

Afrikàner

āfter

āfterthŏught -åwt, one word

āfterward AmE, BrE āfterwards

āfterwörd preface

again, against: both have -én, but for some speakers there is a regular spelling pronunciation: agâin, agâinst

agâpe gaping

ágapê eros

ággravate

aggréssion

aggriêved

âge cf. édge: Francophones beware

âged: as in âged 20, pronounced *âyjd; when meaning old before a noun (an âged mán), *âyjíd

âgeing (BrE), âging (AmE), *âjing

âgeist *âjist

âge-ôld hyphenated

ágîle

agô

ágora

ágriculture

àh response ≈ àaah sentiment ≈ àaargh disgust (in the latter cases more a's may be added)

ahà

ahem: schwas

Àhmad Jamál

âid help = âide assistant; Âids or ÂIDS disease = âids, âides plurals

Âids or ÂIDS disease = âids, âides plurals

ãir breathe = Ãyr Scotland = ére before = é’er ever = héir estate = Éyre Jane = Ãire river; AmE ãir = AmE érr, cf. BrE ërr *üh

ãiry light = all four spellings of éyrie = éyry = ãerie = ãery bird, cf. êerie strange

aîsle walking space = îsle island

Âix France = âches ache

aj-: most words that sound as if they start like this actually have adj-

Ajáccio *Azháxio

Àjáx Amsterdam *Àyáx

Âjáx person

áka or ákà (can be capitals), acronym of ålso knôwn as

Ál Alan, etc. cf. åll total

Ál Arabic may be hyphenated to following capital-letter word in Arabic name; may also be ál

à là (à la)

Alabáma (Á): one m, cf. Montána, Louisiána

Aláddin

Álan (usually a given name) = Állen (usually a surname) = Állan (least common)

alás

Álawite

Albânia (Á)

Ålbany

albêdo

albêit *åll bê ít, cf. sô bê ít

Álbert

albìno

Álbion

Albuquërquê *Álbə-kïrky

Aldébaran

Åldwých *åll dwítch

âle beer = âil ailing

Álfa Romèo, cf. álpha, Rômêo

Álfred

álgaê *áljê or *álgy

Algàrve

álgorithm rhymes with rhýthm

Áli = Álly = Álley = álley walk, although Muhámmad Alì boxer is often pronounced *Àh-lêe; cf. állŷ *állîe friend

âlias *âlius, cf. Alîas Don

álibî

Álíce = Álliss

âlien

alienâtion

alîgn = a lîne, cf. állŷ friend, állêy way

alîgned *allîned, cf. állied

Álison = Állison, probably the former more common as given name, the latter as family name

Álistair = Álastair

alîve

åll every = åwl tool, cf. Ál name

allegâtions *allogations

allége cf. lédge, etc.

alléged *aléjd

allégedly *aléjidly

allêle

allelûia or allelûja or allelûya

állêy path = Áli person, cf. állŷ

allîance

álligâtor

allót assign = a lót much; cf. Állott

åll-òut total before noun needs hyphen

allòwed permitted = alòud heard

álloy

åll-stàr is an adjective, so needs hyphen

allûde əl-, cf. elûde, əl- or íl-

allûsion, əl-, cf. illûsion, íl-

állŷ friend, cf. Álly = Álì = állêy

allŷ verb = a lîe, cf. alîgn = a lîne

ålmanac

àlmond *àhmənd

ålmost

àlms gift = BrE àrms body, weapons

álôe

alône

alóngsîde one word

a lót many = allót assign (*alót)

a lót of many (*əlótəv)

alòud audible = allòwed permitted

Aloýsius *Aləwíshəss

ál-Qàêda (or Ál-; also minus hyphen) *ál-Kŷda (rarely does one hear an anglophone sound or suggest the glottal stop that is present in the Arabic: *álkà-êda)

alréady before = åll réady ready

alrîght = åll rîght: the single-word form presumably arose by analogy with alréady and ålways, but it is widely regarded as unacceptable: does it mean all correct, or satisfactory? "Their answers were alright" would appear to be an incorrect rendering of "their answers were all right/all correct", but it may merely mean "their answers were acceptable", and it is this needless ambiguity that gains the one-word version its detractors

Alsâtian

ålso

ålt-

ålter change = åltar church

álter êgo

*altêrior ultêrior

altërnate BrE; AmE ålternate adjective

ålternâte verb

altërnatíve

althôugh *åll-dhô

álto

áltruism

alumínium BrE; AmE alûminum

alúmnus

alvêolar

ålways ever cf. áll wâys methods, styles

Álzheîmer's is probably the most common British pronunciation, Å- ditto in AmE; also, À-

ám be

âm morning (ante meridian) *â-ém = a.m. (lower case)

amanuénsis, cf. Emmánuel

ámateur *ámətər; AmE can be amateûr

amâze

Ámazon

ambássador cf. émbassy

ámbergrìs BrE, AmE ámbergrís; s may be silent

ámbiance

ámbient

ambíguous

ambigûity

ambítious *ámbíshəss

amén BrE à, AmE â

amênable

aménd cf. comménd

aménds make = eménds alters

amênity, AmE also aménity

âmìable cf. âim

ámícable

amíss awry, cf. Âmíss, Âmís names

Ammàn

ammunítion *ámyù-níshən

amnêsia

ámnesty

amók cf. amúck, same meaning

amòng

amòunt

an *ən: version of a before a consonant

anáchronism -nákr-

ânal

ánalŷse verb *ánnəlîze

ánalŷses verb and análysês noun *ənáləssêez are homographs; the first is the third person singular present tense of the verb (above), the second the plural of the noun (below)

análysis noun *ənáləssís

ánalýst

anàrchic -kik

ánarchist -kist

ánarchy *ánə(r)kỳ

anáthema

áncestor

ánchor -nk-

ánchovy -ntsh-

âncient

áncillãry AmE, BrE ancíllary

and *ənd, sometimes ánd for emphasis = & (the ampersand, always unstressed and used in proprietory names, show business acts, etc.)

Andalucìa (some say -thìa in imitation of the European Spanish pronunciation)

andántè

Ándês

Andêan

Ándhra Pradésh

ánd ŏr ('and/or') is nowadays spoken and can be sometimes seen without the stroke inbetween

Andórra BrE, AmE -ŏrr-, cf. Pandŏra

Ándrêa (first of three syllables stressed) is an English girl's name; Andrèa (second of three) is a German boy's name; both end in schwa: -ə

Andrómeda

Ándreŵ

anémonê *an-émeny, cf. an énemy

Ánerley

aneŵ afresh (adverb) = a neŵ

ângel *ânjəl, cf. ángle

Ángela

Ángelô = Ángelôu Maya, though Ángeloû is very common

ánger BrE *áng-gə

angîna *án-jînə

ángle hard g, cf. ângel *âynjl

Ánglia

ánglophone

Ánglo-Sáxon

Angôla

ángry *áng-gry

ángst

Anguílla -gwí-

Anguíllan -gwí-

ánimè

ánimus cf. ûnánimous

áníse cf. Álíce (minimal pair)

Anìta Ànand

Ánkara

*ánker is a misspelling of ánchor

ánkle

ánnals cf. ánalyst

Ánnan: second a as schwa, rhymes with cánnon, making a minimal pair with Árran (but widely mispronounced with the stress on the second syllable, perhaps by analogy with Ammàn)[2]

annéx verb

ánnex or ánnexe noun

annîhilate *annîəlâte

annúl cf. ánnal

anŏint cf. annòunce

anómaly

anón soon = anón. anonymous

ánonýmity

anónymous

anoréxia

anòther one word

ánschlùss

ānswer, silent w: BrE *ànsə, AmE *ánsr

antágonîse, -ísm, -íst

Antananarìvo *Antána-narìvo

Antàrctica: first c can be silent

ántê- before = BrE ántì against

anténna

anténnaê BrE = AmE anténnê, though some BrE speakers, perhaps recalling school Latin, say -nàê (-nî)

Ánthony usual = Ántony Mark, -tə-

ántì BrE (AmE ántî) against = ántê- before; prô and ánti are always hyphenated to a following word they modify: prô-wår and ánti-wår

antibiótic

ántícs

ántidote

antimacássar

Antìgua *Án-têegə

antípodês

antìque *án-têek

antirrhînum *antirŷnum

antisemític, anti-Semític anti-Jewish (euphemism? "Semitic" refers to a language group that includes Arabic and Amharic as well as Israel's Hebrew)

antisémitism (or anti-Sémitism, but what, then, is 'Semitism'?)

Ántón, cf. Ánthony, Ántony

anxîety *angzîəty

ánxious *ángkshəss or *ángshəss

any some *énny makes a minimal pair with Ánnie person

anybody *énnybódy one word

any mŏre, anymŏre *énny-mŏre: the one-word form, restricted to the meaning no longer, is American English: ít dòesn't mátter anymŏre

anyone anybody *énnywún, one word; otherwise two: any òne îtem, where òne is a numeral: cf. any thrêe óptions

anyway despite one word, cf. where wây is a noun: any wây yoû loòk at ít, dôn't chânge ít ín any wây

ãorist

apâce fast = a pâce step

apàrt separate = a pàrt section, hence apàrt from and a pàrt of

apàrtheîd -tîte or apàrthèid -tâte

apéritìf either stressed

aphêlion *əfêliən, *əp-hêliən

âphid

apìêce each one word = a pìêce part

aplénty

aplómb *əplóm

apócalypse

apócryphal, cf. êpoch -óc, crýpt

ápogêe -jì

apólogîse verb

apólogíes plural noun

*apón upón

apóstasy

apóstate

apóstle

apóstrophê

ápp, abbreviation of applicátion; there is also a surname Ápps

appål; AmE can be appåll

Appalâchia -sh- or -ch-; or Appaláchia -ch- (though Delius pronounced it, and his musical work, *Appalàkia)

appålling

apparátchik

ápparâtus BrE either stressed (to children it can sound plural, ‘apperators’, like óperators); AmE apparátus

appárel

appárent

appêar

appêasement

appêaser

applåuse

*appôse oppôse

ápposíte

apprôpriate adjective, apprôpriâte verb

approval -prû-

approve -prû-

âpricot

à priŏrî two words

àpriŏrísm one word

apropôs *ápropô

Aquãrius

aquátic

áqueduct

áqueous

Áquila

*aquîre acquîre

A&R *ayənàr

ár- BrE is ãr- for some AmE speakers: ãrrogant, etc.

Árab adjective, person, some AmE Ãrab

Arâbian adjective

Árabic language, some AmE Ãrabic

árable

àrbíter

àrbítrary

àrc circle = Àrk Noah = Àrc Joan

àrced arc *àrkt

àrch, ch sound, *àrtsh, unlike most of the following (the exceptions being the versions with bíshop and dêacon)

archâíc *àrkâyíc

archângel àrk-

archbíshop àrtch-

archdêacon àrtch-

archeólogy àrk-

Archimêdês Àrk-

archipélago àrk-

àrchitect àrk-

àrchive *àrkîve

àrchivist *àrkîvist, *àrkəvist

arcmínute, arcsécond both one word

Àrctic

àre BrE = àh; BrE weak form = a weak form *ə; AmE weak form *r

ãrêa space *ãrêə makes a minimal pair with ària song

arêna

Àrês Mars, or = Ãríes/Ãriês Ram, both -z

Argentìna, Àrgentîne, Argentínian = Argentínean Àrj-

àrgil clay, soft g

argot slang = Àrgo ship

àrgue

àrgument

Argŷll Scotland = Argŷle elsewhere, hard g

ària opera cf. ãrea space

Ãrian Arius, Aries = Ãryan race

Ariàna

Àriàna Grànde AmE; BrE Áriàna Grándè

Ariáne

árid

Ãríes -ríz

áristocrát BrE; AmE arístocrát

aristocrátic

Aristóphanês

Áristótle

Àrk Noah = àrc circle = Àrc Joan

Àrkansas BrE -såw, AmE -sà

aròund = a ròund

arrâign = a râin

arrêars

arrést

arrhýthmic

àrsenal *àrssnəl

àrsenic *àrssníc

àrson

àrt artist = Àrt Arthur

àrt déco or Àrt Déco (may retain French accent on é)

àrtefact BrE; AmE àrtifact

artêsian well *àrtêzhən

artifícial -shəl

artisán art *àrtizán

àrtist art

artìste stage

Ãryan race = Ãrian heresy, Aries

asbéstós

ascénd: derived words can be spelt with either a or e:

ascéndance or ascéndence

ascéndancy or ascéndency

ascéndant or ascéndent

ascént climb = assént agree

ascertâin cf. acërbic

Áscot

ÁSEAN or Ásean association *Ássián, cf. Âsian Asia, *Âyzhən

Áshlêy = Áshlêigh

Âsia *Âsha or *Âzha

ásinine áss-

askānce

áspartâme or aspàrtâme

Ásperger's

*áspéstóss asbéstos

ásphalt

asphýxiate

áspirin medicine -spr-, cf. aspîring aspire

Ássád, first syllable stressed, making a minimal pair with ácid

Assànge Julian -ànzh

assássin has four s’s

assént agree = ascént climb

asséss

ássét

assîgn *əssîne = a sîgn

assignâtion *ássíg-nâtion

assîgnment *əssînemənt

assuâge *əsswâge

assûme *əssyûme

assûre AmE -shûre, BrE –shůre

ásterisk

ásterism

Ásterix

ásthma *ássma

asúnder

as wéll two words

asŷlum

âte AmE; BrE *ét

âthêíst cf. aesthétic

at lêast two words

átmosphêre

atmosphéric

átóll, some AmE âtóll

atône

âtrium

atrôcious -shəss

atrócity

áttaboy one word

attáchè -áshây

attácks = a táx

atténtion *əténshən makes a minimal pair with ténsion

Attíla *Atílla

*attône: atône

attörney

attríbutable

áttribute noun

Auchinleck *Ókhinleck, *Áffleck

Åuckland

auctionêer åukshə-

åudio

auditǒrium

augmént

åugur = Åuger

åugury

augúst revered

Åugust month

Åuld Láng Sŷne (from Robert Burns, Scots, "Old Long Since") or ...*Zŷne

Àùng Sán Sûu Kyìi *Òwng Sán Sûe Chêe

āunt uncle AmE = ánt insect

au fâit *ô-fây

au fónd *ô-fón, French nasal -ón

au pãir, ôp-

åural ear = ŏral mouth, by a coincidence of Latin, though the first may be pronounced àùral (*òwral) to distinguish it

Aus Australia = Óz Wizard

Àùschwitz *Òushvíts

åuspices

Aussie Australasian -z- = Óssy = Óssie persons

Austen Jane = Austin car, Texas Ó-

Austrâlia Ó-

Austria Ó-

åutarchy sovereignty = åutarky self-sufficiency

authóritative BrE; AmE authŏritâtive

authórity

åutism

àùtobàhn

åutomobìle

åutumn silent n

autúmnal, n sounded

avâil = a vèil

ávalānche

ávant-gàrde (gàrde = guàrd) hyphenated

avénge

avërt

Áviemore

avocàdo

avŏid

avoirdupŏis *ávədə-pŏiz

aẁash with = a ẁash

awây gone, going = a wây method, route = awêigh anchors

åwe amaze = BrE ŏr, etc.

awêigh anchors = awây go

åwesome

åwestruck

åwful

awhîle adverb = a whîle noun; the one-word form is often used incorrectly, as it can only be used after a verb, not after a preposition (ín, āfter, fŏr etc.); compare: línger awhîle, stây awhîle with stây for a whîle, hê'll bè hêre ín a whîle, for a shŏrt whîle, ít háppened a whîle báck, ít's bêen a whîle

åwkward *åwquəd

åwl tool = åll total

âwol, ÂWOL

awrŷ *ərî

áxe chop BrE; AmE áx = ácts act (the plurals of áxe/áx and áxis have the same spelling, but different pronunciations, as follows)

áxes axe -íz

áxês axis -êz, cf. áccess

áxis spin -íss

áxle car = Áxel person

Áxminster

aŷe yes = eŷe see = Î me

*Âyman Eâmonn, cf. Hâyman

Aŷn Ránd

Ãyr Scotland = ãir breathe

Ãyrshire

Azerbaijàn Ázerbaî-jàn

Azéri

ázure -zh-

References

  1. ↑ Abba win 'Eurovision 50th' vote BBC News, 23 October 2005. Retrieved 1 August 2007.
  2. ↑ Crossette, Barbara. New U.N. Chief Promises Reforms but Says He Won't Cut Jobs, New York Times, 10 January 1997. Retrieved on 25 February 2008.
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