English spellings/Catalogs/W: Difference between revisions

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<center><big>
{{:English_spellings/Catalogs/Masterlist}}
'''[[English_spellings|Main Page]]  [[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>


This page lists pronunciations of English words that begin with W. To see a different letter (or the main page) navigate with the table at the top.
'''W''' *dúblyû ("'''doúble Û'''"; former [[President of the United States of America|US President]] [[George W. Bush|George '''W.''' Bush]]—son of former President George Bush, who therefore and thereafter became known as [[George H.W. Bush]]—likes to be known as '''Dúbya''', a casual pronunciation of the name of the letter)
 
===[[W]]===
'''W''' *doúble-û


'''wácky''' cf. '''wháck  
'''wácky''' cf. '''wháck  


'''ẁad
'''ẁad
'''wâde''' ''water'' = '''Wâde''' = '''wèighed''' ''weigh''


'''ẁaffle
'''ẁaffle
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'''wág
'''wág


'''wágon''' - ´waggon’ is French
<nowiki>*</nowiki>Wagadûgu is spelt '''Ouagadoûgou''', in the French style
 
'''Wágner''', but *Vàgner for [[Richard Wagner|Richard, the composer]]
 
'''wágon''' ("waggon" is French)
 
'''Wahhàbi
 
'''wàh-wah
 
'''wâin''' ''cart'' = '''wâne''' ''smaller'' = '''Wâin''' = '''Wâyne'''


'''wâil''' ''cry'' = BrE '''whâle''' ''sea''
'''wâil''' ''cry'' = BrE '''whâle''' ''sea''
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'''wâit''' ''time'' = '''wèight''' ''heavy'' = '''Wâite''' ''person''
'''wâit''' ''time'' = '''wèight''' ''heavy'' = '''Wâite''' ''person''
'''wâiter'''


'''wâive''' ''dismiss'' = '''wâve''' ''hand, sea''
'''wâive''' ''dismiss'' = '''wâve''' ''hand, sea''


'''Wâles''' ''Welsh'' = BrE '''whâles''' ''sea''
'''Wâles''' ''Welsh'' = '''wâils''' ''cries'' = BrE '''whâles''' ''sea''
 
'''[[Lech Walesa|Walésa]]''' *Vawénsa


'''wålk''' -åk
'''wålk''' -åk, cf. '''wörk


'''wåll  
'''wåll  


'''Ẁallace''' = '''Ẁallis''', rhyming with '''Hóllis
'''Ẁallace''' = '''Ẁallis''', rhyming with '''Hóllis
[[David Walliams|'''Wálliams''' ''David'']]


'''Wallônia''' Wó-
'''Wallônia''' Wó-
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'''Walloôn''' Wó-
'''Walloôn''' Wó-


'''wålrus  
'''ẁalrus''', '''wålrus  
 
'''Wålsåll
 
'''Wålsh


'''Wåltham''' -təm
'''Wåltham''' -təm
Line 46: Line 63:
'''ẁan''' ''pale'' *wón cf. '''wòn''' ''win''   
'''ẁan''' ''pale'' *wón cf. '''wòn''' ''win''   


'''ẁander''' ''roam'' cf. '''wònder''' ''what?''
'''ẁand'''


'''wâne''' ''less'' = '''Wâyne''' ''person'' = '''wâin''' ''wagon''
'''ẁander''' ''roam'' *wónder,  BrE = '''Ẁanda''', cf. '''wònder''' ''what?''


'''ẁannabê''' cf. '''ẁallabỳ  
'''wâne''' ''less'' = '''Wâyne''' '''Wâin''', ''persons'' = '''wâin''' ''wagon''
 
'''ẁannabê''' ''person'', cf. '''ẁanna bê''' ''want to be'', '''ẁallabỳ  


'''ẁant''' ''desire'' cf. '''wôn’t''' ''will not''
'''ẁant''' ''desire'' cf. '''wôn’t''' ''will not''
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'''wår''' ''battle'' = '''wŏre''' ''wear''
'''wår''' ''battle'' = '''wŏre''' ''wear''


'''wãrehouse''' cf. '''whŏrehouse''' h-
'''wårble'''
 
'''wãrehouse''' cf. '''whŏrehouse''', '''h'''-


'''wãres''' ''market'' = '''weãrs''' ''clothes''
'''wãres''' ''market'' = '''weãrs''' ''clothes''


'''wårhéad''' one word  
'''wårhéad''' one word  
'''Wårhôl'''


'''wårm''' ''hot'' cf. '''wörm''' ''wriggle''
'''wårm''' ''hot'' cf. '''wörm''' ''wriggle''
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'''wårn''' ''caution'' = '''wŏrn''' ''wear'' = '''Wårne''' ''person''
'''wårn''' ''caution'' = '''wŏrn''' ''wear'' = '''Wårne''' ''person''


'''wårt
'''Wårner'''
 
'''wårp'''


'''ẁarrant''' *wórrənt  
'''ẁarrant''' BrE *wórrənt, AmE *wårrənt


'''ẁarranty''' cf. '''guarantêe''' from same root
'''ẁarranty''' cf. '''guarantêe''' from same root
Line 79: Line 104:


'''wårt
'''wårt
'''wårthog''': accidental '''t''' and '''h''' pronounced separately
'''wårtîme''' one word


'''Ẁarwick''' *Wórrick
'''Ẁarwick''' *Wórrick
Line 93: Line 122:


'''wâste''' ''loss'' = '''wâist''' ''body''
'''wâste''' ''loss'' = '''wâist''' ''body''
'''ẁatchlist''' one word


'''ẁatchtòwer''' one word  
'''ẁatchtòwer''' one word  


'''wåter''' cf. '''Wålter
'''wåter''' cf. '''Wålter''', '''wâiter'''
 
'''Ẁatson


'''ẁatt''' ''electricity'' = BrE '''ẁhat''' ''question''
'''ẁatt''' ''electricity'' = BrE '''ẁhat''' ''question''
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'''wâvelength''' one word
'''wâvelength''' one word


'''wê''' ''us'' = '''wêe''' ''little, toilet''
'''wáxwörk''' one word
 
'''wê''' ''us'' = '''wêe''' ''little, toilet'' = '''Wiê''' = '''Wìi'''


'''wêak''' ''feeble'' = '''wêek''' ''days''
'''wêak''' ''feeble'' = '''wêek''' ''days''


'''wêal''' ''mark'' = BrE '''whêel''' ''traffic''
'''wêal''' ''mark'' = BrE '''whêel''' ''traffic''
'''Wêald''' ''England'' = '''wìêld


'''wéapon
'''wéapon
'''wéar''' ''clothes'' = BrE '''whére''' ''place''


'''Wêar''' ''River'' = '''Wêir''' ''person'' = '''wêir''' ''water'', rhyming with '''êar''', '''hêar''' and '''fêar
'''Wêar''' ''River'' = '''Wêir''' ''person'' = '''wêir''' ''water'', rhyming with '''êar''', '''hêar''' and '''fêar


'''wéars''' ''clothes'' = '''wâres''' ''shop''
'''wêaried''' ''weary''
 
'''wéaring'''
 
'''wéars''' ''clothes'' = '''wãres''' ''shop''


'''wêary
'''wêary
'''wêasel''' cf. '''mêasles


'''wéather''' ''cloudy'' = '''wéther''' ''ram'' = BrE '''whéther''' ''if''
'''wéather''' ''cloudy'' = '''wéther''' ''ram'' = BrE '''whéther''' ''if''
'''wéb''' ''net'' = '''Wébb''' ''person
'''Wèbern''' *Vâybërn, Vâybən


'''wébsite''' one word  
'''wébsite''' one word  
'''Wédgwood''' *Wédgewood, *wéjwùd


'''Wédnesday''' Wénz-
'''Wédnesday''' Wénz-


'''wèigh''' ''heavy'' = '''wây''' ''route, manner'' = BrE '''whèy''' ''curds''
'''wèigh''' ''heavy'' = '''wây''' ''route, manner'' = BrE '''whèy''' ''curds''
'''wèighed''' ''past'' = '''wâde''' ''water'' = '''Wâde


'''wèight''' ''heavy'' = '''wâit''' ''time''
'''wèight''' ''heavy'' = '''wâit''' ''time''
'''[[Kurt Weill|Weîll]]''' = '''vîle''' ''disgusting


'''wêir''' ''water'' = '''Wêir''' ''person'' = '''wê’re''' ''are'', cf. '''wìêld''', '''fìêld
'''wêir''' ''water'' = '''Wêir''' ''person'' = '''wê’re''' ''are'', cf. '''wìêld''', '''fìêld
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'''wêird''' ''odd'' cf. '''wìêld''' ''carry''
'''wêird''' ''odd'' cf. '''wìêld''' ''carry''


'''wê’ll''' ''shall'' cf. '''wéll''' ''good''
'''wélcome''' = '''Wéllcome
 
<nowiki>*</nowiki>Wéllbeck '''''Ouellebecq
 
'''Wélles''' ''Orson'' = '''Wélls''' = '''wélls'''


'''wén''' ''lump'' = BrE '''whén''' ''time''
'''wén''' ''lump'' = BrE '''whén''' ''time''


'''wëre''' ''was'' cf. '''whére''' ''place'', '''wê’re''' ''we are
'''wëre''' ''was'' = BrE '''whïrr''' ''noise'', cf. '''whére''' ''place'', '''wê’re''' ''we are


'''wêrewolf''' or '''wêrwolf''' -wùlf
'''wêrewolf''' or '''wêrwolf''' -wùlf
'''wéstern''' ''west'' = '''Wéstern''' ''genre


'''wéther''' ''animal'' = '''wéather''' ''rain'' = BrE '''whéther''' ''if
'''wéther''' ''animal'' = '''wéather''' ''rain'' = BrE '''whéther''' ''if


'''wê’re''' ''we are
'''wê’ll''' ''shall'' cf. '''wéll''' ''good''
 
'''wê’re''' ''we are'', cf. '''wëre''' ''was'', '''whére''' ''place''


'''wh-''' BrE '''w-''', AmE '''hw-
'''wh-''' BrE '''w-''', AmE '''hw-
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'''ẁhat''' ''question'' BrE = '''wót''' ''jocular'' = '''ẁatt''' ''electric
'''ẁhat''' ''question'' BrE = '''wót''' ''jocular'' = '''ẁatt''' ''electric
'''whatsoéver


'''whêedle
'''whêedle


'''whêel''' ''round'' BrE = '''wêal''' ''mark''
'''whêel''' ''round'' BrE = '''wêal''' ''mark''
'''whêelchair''' one word


'''whén''' ''time'' BrE = '''wén''' ''tumour
'''whén''' ''time'' BrE = '''wén''' ''tumour
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'''whereás''' one word, *wéəráz  
'''whereás''' one word, *wéəráz  
'''wheréver'''
'''whérewithål


'''whét''' ''appetite'' BrE = '''wét''' ''water
'''whét''' ''appetite'' BrE = '''wét''' ''water
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'''whèy''' ''curds'' BrE = '''wèigh''' ''weight'' = '''wây''' ''method  
'''whèy''' ''curds'' BrE = '''wèigh''' ''weight'' = '''wây''' ''method  
'''whích''' ''what'' BrE = '''wítch''' ''wizard
'''Whíg''' ''Liberal'' BrE = '''wíg''' ''hair''
'''whîle''' ('''a whîle''' = '''awhîle''', though usage is quite different: see [[English spellings/Catalogs/A|the latter's entry]])
'''whîlst
'''whímper''' cf. '''wímp'''


'''whîne''' ''moan'' BrE = '''wîne''' ''drink
'''whîne''' ''moan'' BrE = '''wîne''' ''drink
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'''whínge''' -nj, cf. '''wíng
'''whínge''' -nj, cf. '''wíng


'''whïrl
'''whïrl''' ''round'' = '''whörl''' ''spiral''


'''whïrlwind''' one word  
'''whïrlwind''' one word  
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'''whïrr''' ''noise'' BrE = '''wëre''' ''be
'''whïrr''' ''noise'' BrE = '''wëre''' ''be


'''whísky''' or '''whískey''' (the former usually refers to Scotch, the latter to bourbon)
'''whísk
 
'''whísker
 
'''whískey''' ''Bourbon, Canadian, Irish
 
'''[[whisky|whísky]]''' ''Scotch''


'''whísper
'''whísper
'''whíst


'''whístle''' *whíssle
'''whístle''' *whíssle
Line 189: Line 278:


'''whîte''' ''colour'' BrE = '''Wîght''' ''Isle''
'''whîte''' ''colour'' BrE = '''Wîght''' ''Isle''
'''Whîtehouse''' ''person'' = '''Whîte Hòuse''' ''USA''


'''whîteẁash''' one word  
'''whîteẁash''' one word  
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'''who''' ''person'' *hoô, cf. '''WHO''' ''World Health Organisation'' *doúble-yoû-âitch-ô
'''who''' ''person'' *hoô, cf. '''WHO''' ''World Health Organisation'' *doúble-yoû-âitch-ô
'''whôa''' ''stop'' BrE = '''wôe''' ''sad''
'''whodúnit''', '''whodúnnit''' *hudúnnit, after [[Cockney]] "who done it?"


'''whôle''' ''all'' = '''hôle''' ''gap''
'''whôle''' ''all'' = '''hôle''' ''gap''


'''whôlesâle''' h-, one word
'''wholeheàrted''', '''h'''-, one word
 
'''whôlesâle''', '''h'''-, one word
 
'''whôlly''' ''completely'': both '''l'''’s pronounced; ≈ '''hôly''' ''sacred'' – where only one '''l''' is heard


'''whôlly''' ''completely'' two l’s pronounced; ≈ '''hôly''' ''sacred'' – where only one l is heard
'''whoôp''' (= '''hoôp''' ''circle''), '''whoòp'''; or h-


'''whoôping-cóugh''' hoô-
'''whoôping-cóugh''' hoô-
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'''whópping''' ''big'' BrE = '''Ẁapping''' ''London''
'''whópping''' ''big'' BrE = '''Ẁapping''' ''London''


'''whŏre''' ''prostitute'' = '''hŏar''' ''frost'' = '''Hŏare''' ''person''
'''whŏre''' ''prostitute'' = '''hŏar''' ''frost'' = '''Hŏare''' ''person'' = AmE '''hórror
 
'''whörl''' ''spiral'' = '''whïrl''' ''round''
 
'''whose''' ''belonging'' = '''who's''' ''who is/has'' *hoôz: as with the more notorious '''íts''' ''of it'' and '''ít's''' ''it is/has''  


'''whose''' ''belonging'' = '''who’s''' ''who is/has'' *hoôz. There is similar potential confusion as with the more notorious '''ít's''' ''ít ís'' and '''íts''' ''of it''
'''whŷ''' ''reason'' AmE *hwŷ; BrE = [[River Wye|'''Wŷe''']] ''river


'''whŷ
<nowiki>*</nowiki>wích: a very common misspelling, especially by non-anglophones, of '''whích''', perhaps influenced by the spelling of '''wíth''', and maybe also by '''Ípswich''', etc.
 
'''Wíchitå


'''wícked''' ''evil'' *wíckíd cf. '''wíki
'''wícked''' ''evil'' *wíckíd cf. '''wíki
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'''wícked''' ''wick'' *wíct  
'''wícked''' ''wick'' *wíct  


'''Wíckham''' = '''Wýcombe
'''Wíckham''' = '''Wýcombe''' *Wíkəm
 
'''wîdespréad''' one word
 
'''Wídnes''' makes a [[minimal pair]] with '''wítness
 
'''wìêld''' = '''Wêald''', cf. '''wêir''', '''wêird
 
'''wîfî'''
 
'''wíg''' ''head'' = BrE '''Whíg''' ''politics''
 
'''Wígan
 
'''wíkì''' rhymes with '''stícky'''
 
'''WíkiLeaks''': "[[camel case]]" '''L'''
 
'''Wikipêdia''': capital '''W
 
'''wîld càrd''' ''cards, sport'' two words
 
'''wîldcard''' ''computing'' one word
 
'''wîldcát''' ''adjective'' one word


'''wìêld''' cf. '''wêir''', '''wêird
'''wíldebeest''' *wíldəbêast


'''Wikipêdia
'''wílderness'''


'''wîles''' ''stratagems'' cf. '''whîle''' ''during''
'''wîles''' ''stratagems'' cf. '''whîle''' ''during''


'''wílful''' in AmE can be '''wíllful''', which is unusual: in most words it is the BrE spelling which has the double l before a suffix, as in '''dîalling
'''wílful''' in AmE can be '''wíllful''', which is unusual: in most words it is the BrE spelling which has the double '''l''' before a suffix, as in '''dîalling


'''wíll''' ''verb'' = '''Wíll''' ''William''
'''wíll''' ''verb'' = '''Wíll''' ''William''


'''wílly-nílly
'''will-o'-the-wísp''' *wíllədhə-wísp
 
'''Wíllesden''' *Wílsdon


'''wîly
'''wílly-nílly'''
 
'''wîly''' ''cunning'' = '''Wŷlie'''
 
'''wímp''' cf. '''whímper'''


'''wînd''' ''round''
'''wînd''' ''round''
Line 243: Line 378:


'''wíndbag''' one word  
'''wíndbag''' one word  
'''Wíndsor''' *Wínzər


'''wîne''' ''drink'' = BrE '''whîne''' ''moan''
'''wîne''' ''drink'' = BrE '''whîne''' ''moan''
'''wínter''' = '''Wíntour'''
'''wîred''' makes a [[minimal pair]] with '''wêird
'''Wísbêch''' *Wízbêech


'''Wiscónsin
'''Wiscónsin
'''wîsecrack''' one word


'''wísp  
'''wísp  
Line 252: Line 397:
'''wít''' ''humour'' = BrE '''whít''' ''small'' = BrE '''Whít''' ''Whitsun''
'''wít''' ''humour'' = BrE '''whít''' ''small'' = BrE '''Whít''' ''Whitsun''


'''wítch-húnt
'''wítch''' ''wizard'' = BrE '''whích''' ''what''


'''wítch-húnt''' may appear without its hyphen: '''wítchhúnt'''
'''wíther''' ''decay'' = BrE '''whíther''' ''where''
'''wíther''' ''decay'' = BrE '''whíther''' ''where''


'''withhéld''' second h aspirated
'''withhéld''' second '''h''' aspirated


'''withhôld''' second h aspirated
'''withhôld''' second '''h''' aspirated


'''withín''' one word
'''withín''' one word
Line 266: Line 413:
'''Wodehouse''' ''PG'' = '''Woòdhouse''' ''Emma, etc.''
'''Wodehouse''' ''PG'' = '''Woòdhouse''' ''Emma, etc.''


'''wôe''' ''sad'' = BrE '''whôa''' ''horse''
'''wôe''' ''sad'' = BrE '''whôa''' ''horse'', cf. '''wòw''' ''surprise''


'''wók
'''wók


'''wolf''' *wùlf = '''Woòlf''' ''person''
'''Wôking
 
'''wol'''- usually = '''woòl''' *wùl
 
'''wolf''' *wùlf = '''Woòlf''', '''Wolf''', '''Wolfe''', '''Woòlfe''' ''persons''
 
[[Mary Wollstonecraft|'''Wollstonecraft''' ''Mary'']] Woòl-
 
'''Wolseley''' *Wùlzly
 
'''Wolsey''' *Wùlzy


'''woman''' *wùmən
'''woman''' *wùmən


'''women''' *wímmin
'''womb''' *woôm, rhymes with '''roôm'''
 
'''women''' *wímmin; some dialects of New Zealand and South Africa = '''woman''' *wùmən


'''wòn''' ''game'' = '''òne''' ''only''
'''wòn''' ''game'' = '''òne''' ''only''


'''wònder''' ''what?'' cf. '''ẁander''' ''roam''
'''wònder''' ''what?'' cf. '''ẁander''' *wónder ''roam''
 
'''wònderlánd'''


'''wòndrous
'''wòndrous
Line 284: Line 445:
'''wónky
'''wónky


'''wôn’t''' ''will not'' = '''wônt''' ''habit'', cf. '''ẁant''' ''require''
'''wôn't''' ''will not'' = '''wônt''' ''habit'', cf. '''ẁant''' ''require''


'''woòd''' ''tree'' = '''woùld''' ''if''
'''woòd''' ''tree'' = '''woùld''' ''if''


'''woòlly''' ''wool'' = '''Woòlley''' ''person''
'''Woòdàrd
 
'''Woòdward''' *Woòdwərd
 
'''woòf''' ''dog, fabric'' = '''wùff''' ''dog''
 
'''woòl''' cf. [[Mary Wollstonecraft|'''Wollstonecraft''']], '''Wolsey''', etc., same first vowel sound
 
'''woòllen''' BrE = AmE '''woòlen'''
 
'''woòlly''' BrE = AmE '''woòly''' ''wool'' = '''Woòlley''' ''person'', rhyming with '''fùlly


'''Worcester''' ''England'' = '''Woòster''' ''Bertie''
'''Worcester''' ''England'' = '''Woòster''' ''Bertie'' *Wùster


'''wörd''' cf. '''wård
'''wörd''' cf. '''wård
'''wŏre''' ''wear'' = '''wår''' ''fight''
'''wörk''' makes a [[British English]] [[minimal pair]] with '''wålk''' (BrE *wök and *wŏk)


'''wörkingmán''' in AmE can be one word, BrE '''wörking mán
'''wörkingmán''' in AmE can be one word, BrE '''wörking mán


'''wörld
'''wörld''' makes a BrE [[minimal pair]] with '''wålled'''
 
'''Wörld Wår II''' ''the Second World War'' *Tû: not '2', but pronounced 'Two'; cf. '''II''' pronounced 'The Second' following the names of monarchs and popes, etc. (similarly with WWI)


'''wŏrldwide''' one word  
'''wŏrldwide''' one word  
Line 303: Line 480:


'''wòrry''' BrE; AmE '''wörry
'''wòrry''' BrE; AmE '''wörry
'''wörse


'''wörship''' cf. '''wårship
'''wörship''' cf. '''wårship


'''Worcester''' *Wùster
'''wörst
 
'''wŏre''' ''wear'' = '''wår''' ''fight''


'''wörse
'''wörsted''' ''worst'', ''wool'' -íd
 
'''wörsted''' ''worst''
 
'''worsted''' ''cloth'' wû-


'''wörth
'''wörth
Line 320: Line 493:
'''woùld''' ''if'' = '''woòd''' ''tree''
'''woùld''' ''if'' = '''woòd''' ''tree''


'''would-be''' ''adjective'' hyphenated
'''woùld-bê''' ''adjective'' hyphenated


'''woûnd''' ''injury''
'''woûnd''' ''injury''
Line 329: Line 502:


'''wráck''' ''pain'' = '''ráck''' ''frame, stretch''
'''wráck''' ''pain'' = '''ráck''' ''frame, stretch''
'''wrâith''' ''ghost'' = '''Râith''' ''Rovers''


'''wráp''' ''parcel'' = '''ráp''' ''knock, speak''
'''wráp''' ''parcel'' = '''ráp''' ''knock, speak''


'''ẁrath''' ''anger'' = '''Róth''' ''person''
'''ẁrath''' ''anger'' BrE = '''Róth''' ''person''; AmE '''wráth


'''wrêak''' ''make'' = '''rêek''' ''smell'', cf. '''wréck''' ''collapse'', '''réckless''' ''careless''
'''wrêak''' ''make'' = '''rêek''' ''smell'', cf. '''wréck''' ''collapse'', '''réckless''' ''careless''


'''wrêath''' ''noun'' unvoiced th as in '''bréath''', different vowel sound
'''wrêath''' ''noun'' unvoiced '''th''' as in '''bréath''', different vowel sound


'''wrêathe''' ''verb'' voiced th, as in '''brêathe
'''wrêathe''' ''verb'' voiced '''th''', as in '''brêathe


'''wréck''' cf. '''réckless
'''wréck''' cf. '''réckless
'''wrécks''' = '''Réx'''


'''wrést''' ''wrestle'' = '''rést''' ''repose''
'''wrést''' ''wrestle'' = '''rést''' ''repose''


'''wrétch''' ''miserable'' = '''rétch''' ''vomit''
'''wrétch''' ''miserable'' = '''rétch''' ''vomit''
'''Wréxham


'''wrîght''' ''artesan'' as in '''plâywright'''; = '''Wrîght''' ''person'' = '''wrîte''' ''letter'' = '''rîght''' ''side, correct'' = '''rîte''' ''ritual''
'''wrîght''' ''artesan'' as in '''plâywright'''; = '''Wrîght''' ''person'' = '''wrîte''' ''letter'' = '''rîght''' ''side, correct'' = '''rîte''' ''ritual''
Line 354: Line 533:
'''wrîte''' ''written'' = '''wrîght''' etc.
'''wrîte''' ''written'' = '''wrîght''' etc.


'''wróngdoing''' one word, *róngdûing  
'''wróngdoing''' ''noun'' one word, *róngdûing  


'''wróng-foòt''' ''verb''
'''wróng-foòt''' ''verb''


'''wrôte''' ''write'' = '''rôte''' ''learning''
'''wrôte''' ''write'' = '''rôte''' ''learning''
'''Wrotham''' ''Kent'' *Roôtəm


'''wrúng''' ''wring'' = '''rúng''' ''ring, ladder''
'''wrúng''' ''wring'' = '''rúng''' ''ring, ladder''
Line 364: Line 545:
'''wrŷ''' ''humour''  = '''rŷe''' ''crop
'''wrŷ''' ''humour''  = '''rŷe''' ''crop


'''wrŷlỳ''' ''wry'' = '''Rîley''' ''person
'''wrŷlỳ''' ''wry'' = '''Rîley, Reîlly'''  


'''wùff
'''wùff''' ''dog'' = '''woòf''' ''fabric, dog''


'''Wŷatt''' *Wŷət, cf. '''whîte
'''Wŷatt''' *Wŷət, cf. '''whîte
'''Wýcombe''' ''High'' = '''Wíckham''' ''West''
[[River Wye|'''Wŷe''']] ''river'' = BrE '''whŷ''' ''reason''
'''Wýndham'''

Latest revision as of 22:58, 10 August 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 W. 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]

W *dúblyû ("doúble Û"; former US President George W. Bush—son of former President George Bush, who therefore and thereafter became known as George H.W. Bush—likes to be known as Dúbya, a casual pronunciation of the name of the letter)

wácky cf. wháck

ẁad

wâde water = Wâde = wèighed weigh

ẁaffle

wág

*Wagadûgu is spelt Ouagadoûgou, in the French style

Wágner, but *Vàgner for Richard, the composer

wágon ("waggon" is French)

Wahhàbi

wàh-wah

wâin cart = wâne smaller = Wâin = Wâyne

wâil cry = BrE whâle sea

wâist body = wâste spend

wâit time = wèight heavy = Wâite person

wâiter

wâive dismiss = wâve hand, sea

Wâles Welsh = wâils cries = BrE whâles sea

Walésa *Vawénsa

wålk -åk, cf. wörk

wåll

Ẁallace = Ẁallis, rhyming with Hóllis

Wálliams David

Wallônia Wó-

Walloôn Wó-

ẁalrus, wålrus

Wålsåll

Wålsh

Wåltham -təm

wåltz *wålse

ẁan pale *wón cf. wòn win

ẁand

ẁander roam *wónder, BrE = Ẁanda, cf. wònder what?

wâne less = Wâyne Wâin, persons = wâin wagon

ẁannabê person, cf. ẁanna bê want to be, ẁallabỳ

ẁant desire cf. wôn’t will not

wår battle = wŏre wear

wårble

wãrehouse cf. whŏrehouse, h-

wãres market = weãrs clothes

wårhéad one word

Wårhôl

wårm hot cf. wörm wriggle

wårn caution = wŏrn wear = Wårne person

Wårner

wårp

ẁarrant BrE *wórrənt, AmE *wårrənt

ẁarranty cf. guarantêe from same root

wårring

ẁarrior cf. wòrrier

Ẁarrington *Wórrington, cf. Dórrington, Nórrington

wårt

wårthog: accidental t and h pronounced separately

wårtîme one word

Ẁarwick *Wórrick

wãry

ẁas *wóz

ẁash

Ẁashington

ẁasp

wâste loss = wâist body

ẁatchlist one word

ẁatchtòwer one word

wåter cf. Wålter, wâiter

Ẁatson

ẁatt electricity = BrE ẁhat question

ẁattage *wóttij

wâvelength one word

wáxwörk one word

wê us = wêe little, toilet = Wiê = Wìi

wêak feeble = wêek days

wêal mark = BrE whêel traffic

Wêald England = wìêld

wéapon

wéar clothes = BrE whére place

Wêar River = Wêir person = wêir water, rhyming with êar, hêar and fêar

wêaried weary

wéaring

wéars clothes = wãres shop

wêary

wêasel cf. mêasles

wéather cloudy = wéther ram = BrE whéther if

wéb net = Wébb person

Wèbern *Vâybërn, Vâybən

wébsite one word

Wédgwood *Wédgewood, *wéjwùd

Wédnesday Wénz-

wèigh heavy = wây route, manner = BrE whèy curds

wèighed past = wâde water = Wâde

wèight heavy = wâit time

Weîll = vîle disgusting

wêir water = Wêir person = wê’re are, cf. wìêld, fìêld

wêird odd cf. wìêld carry

wélcome = Wéllcome

*Wéllbeck Ouellebecq

Wélles Orson = Wélls = wélls

wén lump = BrE whén time

wëre was = BrE whïrr noise, cf. whére place, wê’re we are

wêrewolf or wêrwolf -wùlf

wéstern west = Wéstern genre

wéther animal = wéather rain = BrE whéther if

wê’ll shall cf. wéll good

wê’re we are, cf. wëre was, whére place

wh- BrE w-, AmE hw-

wháck cf. wácky

whâle sea BrE = wâil cry

whám

ẁhat question BrE = wót jocular = ẁatt electric

whatsoéver

whêedle

whêel round BrE = wêal mark

whêelchair one word

whén time BrE = wén tumour

whére place cf. wëre was

whereás one word, *wéəráz

wheréver

whérewithål

whét appetite BrE = wét water

whéther if BrE = wéather rain = wéther ram

whèy curds BrE = wèigh weight = wây method

whích what BrE = wítch wizard

Whíg Liberal BrE = wíg hair

whîle (a whîle = awhîle, though usage is quite different: see the latter's entry)

whîlst

whímper cf. wímp

whîne moan BrE = wîne drink

whínge -nj, cf. wíng

whïrl round = whörl spiral

whïrlwind one word

whïrr noise BrE = wëre be

whísk

whísker

whískey Bourbon, Canadian, Irish

whísky Scotch

whísper

whíst

whístle *whíssle

whít small = Whít Whitsun BrE = wít humour

whîte colour BrE = Wîght Isle

Whîtehouse person = Whîte Hòuse USA

whîteẁash one word

whíther where BrE = wíther decay

Whítsun -u-

who person *hoô, cf. WHO World Health Organisation *doúble-yoû-âitch-ô

whôa stop BrE = wôe sad

whodúnit, whodúnnit *hudúnnit, after Cockney "who done it?"

whôle all = hôle gap

wholeheàrted, h-, one word

whôlesâle, h-, one word

whôlly completely: both l’s pronounced; ≈ hôly sacred – where only one l is heard

whoôp (= hoôp circle), whoòp; or h-

whoôping-cóugh hoô-

whoòps!

whoòsh rhymes with pùsh

whópping big BrE = Ẁapping London

whŏre prostitute = hŏar frost = Hŏare person = AmE hórror

whörl spiral = whïrl round

whose belonging = who's who is/has *hoôz: as with the more notorious íts of it and ít's it is/has

whŷ reason AmE *hwŷ; BrE = Wŷe river

*wích: a very common misspelling, especially by non-anglophones, of whích, perhaps influenced by the spelling of wíth, and maybe also by Ípswich, etc.

Wíchitå

wícked evil *wíckíd cf. wíki

wícked wick *wíct

Wíckham = Wýcombe *Wíkəm

wîdespréad one word

Wídnes makes a minimal pair with wítness

wìêld = Wêald, cf. wêir, wêird

wîfî

wíg head = BrE Whíg politics

Wígan

wíkì rhymes with stícky

WíkiLeaks: "camel case" L

Wikipêdia: capital W

wîld càrd cards, sport two words

wîldcard computing one word

wîldcát adjective one word

wíldebeest *wíldəbêast

wílderness

wîles stratagems cf. whîle during

wílful in AmE can be wíllful, which is unusual: in most words it is the BrE spelling which has the double l before a suffix, as in dîalling

wíll verb = Wíll William

will-o'-the-wísp *wíllədhə-wísp

Wíllesden *Wílsdon

wílly-nílly

wîly cunning = Wŷlie

wímp cf. whímper

wînd round

wínd blow

wíndbag one word

Wíndsor *Wínzər

wîne drink = BrE whîne moan

wínter = Wíntour

wîred makes a minimal pair with wêird

Wísbêch *Wízbêech

Wiscónsin

wîsecrack one word

wísp

wít humour = BrE whít small = BrE Whít Whitsun

wítch wizard = BrE whích what

wítch-húnt may appear without its hyphen: wítchhúnt

wíther decay = BrE whíther where

withhéld second h aspirated

withhôld second h aspirated

withín one word

withòut one word

Wodehouse PG = Woòdhouse Emma, etc.

wôe sad = BrE whôa horse, cf. wòw surprise

wók

Wôking

wol- usually = woòl *wùl

wolf *wùlf = Woòlf, Wolf, Wolfe, Woòlfe persons

Wollstonecraft Mary Woòl-

Wolseley *Wùlzly

Wolsey *Wùlzy

woman *wùmən

womb *woôm, rhymes with roôm

women *wímmin; some dialects of New Zealand and South Africa = woman *wùmən

wòn game = òne only

wònder what? cf. ẁander *wónder roam

wònderlánd

wòndrous

wónky

wôn't will not = wônt habit, cf. ẁant require

woòd tree = woùld if

Woòdàrd

Woòdward *Woòdwərd

woòf dog, fabric = wùff dog

woòl cf. Wollstonecraft, Wolsey, etc., same first vowel sound

woòllen BrE = AmE woòlen

woòlly BrE = AmE woòly wool = Woòlley person, rhyming with fùlly

Worcester England = Woòster Bertie *Wùster

wörd cf. wård

wŏre wear = wår fight

wörk makes a British English minimal pair with wålk (BrE *wök and *wŏk)

wörkingmán in AmE can be one word, BrE wörking mán

wörld makes a BrE minimal pair with wålled

Wörld Wår II the Second World War *Tû: not '2', but pronounced 'Two'; cf. II pronounced 'The Second' following the names of monarchs and popes, etc. (similarly with WWI)

wŏrldwide one word

wörm

wòrry BrE; AmE wörry

wörse

wörship cf. wårship

wörst

wörsted worst, wool -íd

wörth

woùld if = woòd tree

woùld-bê adjective hyphenated

woûnd injury

wòund wînd

wòw excitement cf. wôe depression

wráck pain = ráck frame, stretch

wrâith ghost = Râith Rovers

wráp parcel = ráp knock, speak

ẁrath anger BrE = Róth person; AmE wráth

wrêak make = rêek smell, cf. wréck collapse, réckless careless

wrêath noun unvoiced th as in bréath, different vowel sound

wrêathe verb voiced th, as in brêathe

wréck cf. réckless

wrécks = Réx

wrést wrestle = rést repose

wrétch miserable = rétch vomit

Wréxham

wrîght artesan as in plâywright; = Wrîght person = wrîte letter = rîght side, correct = rîte ritual

wríng squeeze = ríng finger, bell

wrínkle cf. ránkle

wrîte written = wrîght etc.

wróngdoing noun one word, *róngdûing

wróng-foòt verb

wrôte write = rôte learning

Wrotham Kent *Roôtəm

wrúng wring = rúng ring, ladder

wrŷ humour = rŷe crop

wrŷlỳ wry = Rîley, Reîlly

wùff dog = woòf fabric, dog

Wŷatt *Wŷət, cf. whîte

Wýcombe High = Wíckham West

Wŷe river = BrE whŷ reason

Wýndham

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