English spellings

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   Apostrophe'''


 * The letter links above lead to alphabetically arranged selections of commonly misspelt and/or mispronounced words, alongside some regular ones for contrast; in addition, the present page features a 'retroalphabetical' list (see Contents) with words arranged alphabetically by their final letters

English is famous, even notorious, for its varied spellings. This can be seen at its most extravagant in the field of proper names, as, for example, simply adding an 'h' to 'Maria' to make it rhyme with 'pariah', or calling oneself 'Cholmondeley Featherstonehaugh', pronounced 'Chumley Fanshaw'. On a more prosaic level, however, there are dangers. An example of a common misspelling is 'disasterous' for 'disastrous', maintaining the 'e' of 'disaster'. And conversely, words may not turn out to have the pronunciation they appear to have: 'do' and 'to' you might expect to rhyme with 'go' and 'no', while 'seismic', instead of being 'seezmic' or 'sayzmic' is in fact 'size-mic'. These lists are devoted to these things.

A few notes on how to read them: Linguists conventionally put an asterisk before words in order to denote an incorrect spelling, and here we also include accent marks to show stress and pronunciation. A table of these (which are not used in English ) can be found at the end of this article; there is also an IPA key at English phonemes. Where there is more than one accent, the first is stressed, and the same is true after a hyphen, so in the respelling *Chŷ-kóffsky, it is 'kóff' that has the main stress. A sentence from the preceding paragraph can thus be rewritten as follows: An example of a common misspelling is *disāsterous for disāstrous, maintaining the e of disāster.

Particular attention is given to homophones, words with the same pronunciation. English is rich in homophones; it also has many homonyms, words with the same spelling and pronunciation, and homographs, words with the same spelling but different pronunciation. Examples of all three are grouped together here.

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

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

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

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

Retroalphabetical list

 * For the conventionally alphabetical list, see the links at the top of the page

This list is in alphabetical order beginning with the final letter of the word and continuing backwards through it. The headword is on the right. In this way, suffixes and other word endings can be seen grouped together, just as prefixes can be seen in normal alphabetical order. So, instead of ádd båll coúsin, we have réplicA fláB plástiC; and so for mûsiC, see under -c, for mûsicaL, see under -l, for pàrticlE, see under -e, and so on.

Some suffixes are included separately with their pronunciation applying or not to following words.

Throughout, the apostrophe is treated as the last letter, after z. For clarity, italic association words are to the left of the example word:

woman mâid = make mâde

A
mostly schwa -a

BrE barrier, drink bàr = sheep bàa

'''Ábba

'''Shêba

'''Cûba

'''Hécuba

'''scûba

'''tûba

'''Lŏrca

(but Nabokov's is Àda) Âda

'''Granàda

'''Grenâda

'''propagánda

'''referénda

.*îdêə '''idêa

.*flê '''flêa

.*plê '''plêa

-êə '''Crîmêa

-êə '''ãrêa

person Chélsy = place Chélsêa

.*Swónzy '''Sẁansêa

.*nåuzêə '''nåusêa

'''Ólga

'''broûhàhà

'''gèisha

clóss- '''claustrophôbìa

-íshə, rhymes with milítia -'''ícia

'''Alícia

'''Galìcia

'''Patrícia

'''Albânia

'''Tanzanìa

'''Armênia

.*skítzô-frêniə '''schizophrênia

'''Slovênia

'''insómnia

Wó- '''Wallônia

'''ària

'''malãria

'''Bavãria

'''Alexāndria

'''Lîbêria

'''hystêria

pìts- '''pizzerìa

'''Victŏria

'''trattorìa

.*Âyshə or *Âyzhə '''Âsia

-zhə '''amnêsia

-zhə '''Indonêsia

.*Toô-nìzhə AmE; BrE Chû-nízìə Tunisia

-zhə '''Maláysia

mostly -shə -'''tia


 * Crôw-âyshə '''Croâtia

-tìə '''Ossétia

Patrícia rhymes with '''milítia

'''inërtia

'''vîa

'''trŏika

'''là

'''Kampàla

'''Mandéla

-zwâyla '''Venezuèla

'''umbrélla

'''côla

'''scrófula

.*pé-nínssyələ '''península

'''Mà

'''Alabáma

'''Pánamà

'''dràma

or -mə '''cínemà

'''Émma

'''dilémma

'''diplôma

'''carcinôma

'''Victoriàna

.*Loû-êasy-Ánna '''Louisiána

banāna

'''Fontāna

'''Montána

'''nìrvàna

'''Guyāna

'''vagîna

'''Regîna

'''Polyánna

'''hénna

'''anténna

'''tûna

'''bôa

Nôah rhymes with '''Gôa

'''môa

'''Pà

'''spà

'''brà

cf. Ôprah - '''ópera

Pandŏra

Andŏrra AmE; BrE '''Andórra

'''Sumàtra

'''Sinàtra

ork- '''ŏrchestra

strâta AmE ≈ BrE strâighter - stràta

'''táffeta

'''excrêta

-wə '''Manágua

-yûə or -wə '''Nicarágua

'''nôva

'''sŏya

'''Gàza

'''plàza

.*pêetsa '''pìzza

B
'''náb

'''jáb

'''Árab

'''stáb

'''ébb

'''fíb

'''níb

.*lám '''lámb

.*lím '''límb

climate clîme = up '''clîmb

.*côam '''cômb

còme, húm, súm rhyme with '''succúmb

.*dúm '''dúmb

.*thúm '''thúmb

fruit plúm = plumbing  '''plúmb

.*núm '''númb

.*bóm '''bómb

.*côam '''cômb

.*toôm '''tomb

'''hóbnob

.*dŏrnób '''dŏorknob

AmE *érb '''hërb

'''vërb

'''ŏrb

'''súburb

'''blürb

'''pertürb

'''distürb

'''cúb

'''dúb

'''húb

'''clúb

C
'''mâniac

'''insómniac

.*afrô-dízzỳác '''aphrodísìac

'''lîlac

'''ålmanac

'''Quebéc

'''terrífic

'''horrífic

'''lógic

.*shêek '''chìc

'''pýrrhic

'''éthic

'''Góthic

'''mýthic

'''repúblic

'''seîsmic

'''irónic

'''Byrónic

'''herôíc

cf. Pátrick - '''Éric

ill síck   = thus síc

-zíc '''mûsic

'''dramátic

'''tråumátic

'''fanátic

noun, verb '''státic

'''parasític

'''plástic

'''drástic

'''acoûstic

cf. adjective mýstical - noun '''mýstic

loft áttic = Greek '''Áttic

'''paralýtic

wood blóck = political blóc

'''súbfúsc

can be móllusk in American - '''móllusc

D
'''bád

'''dád

book Bêde = string '''bêad

'''déad

'''héad

'''knêad

'''bréad

'''dréad

'''spréad

'''instéad

'''fád

'''hád

'''Ílìád

'''Jeremîád

'''trîád

'''lád

'''mád

'''gôad

'''rôad

'''brŏad

'''abrŏad

'''tôad

'''sád

qùad rhymes with '''ẁad

'''ádd

'''ódd

ae as schwa: *səbpênəd '''subpoênaed

-did -'''ded

'''woûnded

'''låuded

'''procêed

'''hêed

'''nêed

'''grêed

'''wêed

áct = -'''ácked

tactful táct = tack '''tácked

'''stácked

AmE '''tráveled

-ld '''fîled

-ld '''smîled

-ld '''pîled

l doubled after stressed syllable - BrE and AmE '''rebélled

BrE '''trávelled

'''abándoned

'''boôed

-pt '''stépped

'''réd

bare '''bãred

'''scãred

.*sâycríd '''sâcred

'''hámpered

cf. compãred - '''cómpéred

two syllables '''neûtered

'''revêred

'''sévered

'''mîred

cf. hâte - *hâtíd '''hâted

cf. hâte - *hâtríd '''hâtred

cf. kînd - *kíndríd '''kíndred

-rəd '''húndred

bar '''bàrred

food bâste = base '''bâsed

.*bîast '''bîased

-éssed mostly rhymes with -ést: '''conféssed

.*blést, but can be *bléssid before a noun '''bléssed

'''asséssed

'''obséssed

-tíd -'''ted

'''tàrgeted

.*rícoshâid '''rícochèted

'''intërpreted

'''excîted

'''éxited

'''ẁanted

'''bígoted

-vd '''shôved

-vd '''lòved

'''allòwed

'''hállowed

néxt rhymes with '''séxed

stare '''stãry-eŷed

star '''stàrry-eŷed

person Bŏyd = buoy '''buŏyed

'''âid

'''lâid

make mâde = woman '''mâid

.*pâyed '''pâid

bray brâyed = hair '''brâid

.*séd '''said

'''bíd

'''díd

'''líd

'''sqùalid

'''válid

'''vŏid

'''rápid

'''vápid

'''flûíd

'''Réginald

'''Rónald

'''géld

'''héld

'''fìêld

'''wìêld

'''mèld

'''wéld

'''gíld

'''chîld

'''mîld

'''wîld

'''ôld

'''bôld

'''fôld

'''thrêefôld

'''gôld

'''hôld

x yêars ôld in the plural, but hyphens when it's an adjective or noun x-yêar-ôld

'''sôld

'''tôld

cf. gôld - '''Goûld

cf. coùld, shoùld and woùld, all -ùd - '''môuld

'''ánd

'''hánd

'''lánd

-lənd: mostly schwa in (place or people’s) names, where it conveys familiarity: -lánd used for countries suggests alienness, even lack of sovereignty -land

Díxielánd

Tŷ- '''Thaîland

blánd = '''Blánd

'''Åuckland

'''Hólland

a as schwa before nouns, e.g. Ínland Révenue, otherwise á - '''ínlánd

schwa possible in adjectival use - '''mâinlánd

'''Fínland

'''Pôland

'''Láplánd

'''Súnderland

'''mòtherlánd

'''hínterlánd

'''ôverlánd

'''Swítzerland

'''Quêensland

'''Scótland

'''heàrtland

'''Mãryland

'''demānd

'''Hélmand

'''sánd

'''fìênd

'''friénd

'''blénd

'''pénd

'''rénd

'''sénd

'''ténd

'''wénd

'''bînd

crime fîned = discover '''fînd

'''hînd

one word '''hûmankînd

'''blînd

'''mînd

'''rînd

'''támarínd

blow '''wínd

round '''wînd

'''beyónd

'''ròund

'''woûnd

religion Gód = idol '''gód

'''clód

'''nód

'''pód

'''foôd

'''goòd

'''hoòd

no y before -'''hoòd

'''lîkelihoòd

'''lîvelihoòd

'''moôd

'''broôd

'''woòd

apart from monosyllables, mostly -ə(r)d -'''ard

'''càrd

'''bêard

'''hëard

'''hàrd

.*Ríchərd '''Ríchard

'''shàrd

'''làrd

cf. wide brŏad - boring bŏred = wood, company '''bŏard

.*cúbbərd '''cúpboard

'''flŏorbŏard

.*lépərd '''léopard

'''lêotàrd

'''bāstard

'''bústard

.*gàrd '''guàrd

'''wård

'''báckward

'''åwkward

except for Fránkie Hòwerd: '''Hòward

'''yàrd

'''házard

'''lízard

'''wízard

'''blízzard

'''búzzard

hear hëard = animals '''hërd

'''nërd

'''bïrd

tie chŏrd = vocal '''cörd

person Fŏrd = water '''fŏrd

name suffix, -fəd -'''ford

'''Brádford

'''Rédford

'''Blándford

'''Rétford

'''Óxford

rope cŏrd = music '''chörd

'''wörd

'''absürd

'''türd

'''applåud

'''Måud

'''fråud

'''Î’d

listen hêed = he '''hê’d

'''shê’d

plant wêed = we '''wê’d

.*prâycêed '''prècis’d

'''ít’d

'''yoû’d

'''thèy’d

E
final e is mostly silent; for words often italicised and ending in written -é see French words in English. e

AmE -ê -'''aê

'''nébulaê

'''fŏrmulaê

'''anténnaê

'''nôvaê

'''scrîbe

'''descrîbe

medicine prescrîbe ≈ illegal '''proscrîbe

zé- '''xénophobe

'''lôbe

'''fâce

.*préffis '''préface

.*ménnis '''ménace

Ẁallis = '''Ẁallace

.*Hórris, rhyming with words in -óris - '''Hórace

.*térris '''térrace

'''îce

'''sácrifîce

órifíce BrE; AmE '''ǒrifíce

'''sürplíce

'''nîce

'''Véníce

'''cŏrníce

'''chŏice

'''vŏice

'''hóspíce

'''thrîce

'''caprìce

'''trîce

'''pôultíce

'''láttíce

BrE verb práctíse = noun, AmE verb  '''práctíce

'''nôtíce

'''devîce

'''crévíce

'''véngeance

(sometimes written as in French) séance - '''sèànce

'''chānce

'''vígilance

'''románce

'''perfŏrmance

noun = verb either stressed '''fînánce

'''híndrance

'''forbéarance

enter '''éntrance

beguile '''entrānce

cf. exístence - '''stānce

cf. exístence - '''resístance

AmE lîcense, cf. BrE and AmE suspénse - '''lîcence

.*ákwêeyéssənss; cf. présence, -zənss - '''acquiéscence

'''câdence

'''décadence

'''transcéndence

'''subsîdence

'''évidence

'''próvidence

cf. dénse - '''fénce

AmE defénse - '''defénce

AmE offénse - '''offénce

'''hénce

'''scîence

-shənss '''cónscience

'''åudience

-âshence '''impâtience

cf. prevâil - '''prévalence

'''vîolence

'''përmanence

'''adhêrence

'''occúrrence

'''rêcúrrence

'''ábsence

'''cómpetence

'''séntence

'''insístence

cf. stānce - '''exístence

'''ínfluence

mint mínts ≈ meat '''mínce

print prínts ≈ royal '''prínce

'''fìêrce

'''pìêrce

'''coërce

'''enfŏrce

-êí- '''reinfŏrce

'''divŏrce

verbs -'''ésce

-éss '''acquiésce

.*côwaléss '''coalésce

-éss '''effervésce

BrE -dyoôss or -joôss, AmE doôss -'''dûce

'''redûce

'''indûce

verb '''prodûce

noun '''próduce

'''Jŏyce

'''fâde

'''shâde

'''jâde

'''glâde

woman mâid = make '''mâde

'''grenâde

sh-; AmE charâde, BrE '''charàde

'''parâde

'''concêde

'''intercêde

'''supersêde

stressed in verbs, unstressed in nouns, but always pronounced -'''îde

'''régicide

'''sûicide

'''cŷanide

'''derîde

'''asîde

'''besîde

.*rizîde '''resîde

one word '''úpside

one word '''dòwnside

'''provîde

'''óxide

in some names -'''forde

íl- '''elûde

əl- '''allûde

'''lóngitude

'''látitude

'''áttitude

insect '''bêe

'''divorcêe

'''fêe

'''cóffee

'''banóffee

'''tóffee

'''Yánkee

'''glêe

'''referêe

as a suffix meaning ‘without’ -frêe should be at least hyphenated, never a separate word: '''cãrefrêe and commítment-frêe

'''degrêe

'''pédigree

'''sêe

.*lîcencêe '''licensêe

cf. députy - '''devotêe

'''payêe

-êe has main stress when in contrast to emplŏyer - '''emplŏyêe

'''gáffe

'''lîfe

.*nîfe '''knîfe

'''wîfe

'''âge

mostly -íj -'''age

-íj '''cábbage

-íj '''bándage

.*hémərij '''haémorrhage

.*fôlìíj '''fôlìage

.*cárríj '''cárriage

.*márríj '''márriage

-àzh '''fûselage

-àzh '''cámouflage

-íj '''víllage

-àzh '''cóllage

-íj '''dámage

-íj '''mánage

-àzh '''bádinage

BrE *gáràj; *gáríj is regarded by many as uneducated; AmE *gəràzh '''gáràge

-íj '''áverage

person Béveridge = -íj drink '''béverage

-íj '''lêverage

-àzh '''míràge

-íj '''stŏrage

BrE *báràj, AmE *bəràzh '''bárràge

'''sâge

BrE *məssàj, AmE *məssàzh '''mássàge

-íj '''méssage

-àzh '''dréssàge

-íj '''ûsage

-àzh '''sábotàge

-íj '''cóttage

-íj '''wâstage

-íj '''hóstage

-íj '''lánguage

-íj '''sávage

'''bádge

'''édge

'''plédge

'''slédge

-íj '''knówledge

'''mídge

'''rídge

'''brídge

'''pórridge

'''dódge

'''stódge

'''fúdge

'''sácrilege

'''prívilege

cf. édge - '''allége

'''oblîge

-êezh '''prestìge

-íj '''véstíge

'''chânge

'''whínge

'''lòunge

'''scròunge

'''Dôge

'''bàrge

'''làrge

'''dïrge

'''fŏrge

'''ürge

'''scöurge

'''pürge

'''sürge

.*âke '''âche

BrE *məstàsh, AmE *mústásh '''moustāche

-kê '''synécdochê

cf. trôphy, átrophy - '''catástrophê

'''apóstrophê

.*dhə before consonants, *dhê before vowels - '''thê

lôathe rhymes with '''clôthe

colour dŷe = death  '''dîe

'''bïrdìê

Chàrly = '''Chàrlie

surname Wílley = Wílly  = '''Wíllie

'''Cónnie

'''Lónnie

'''Rónnie

'''pîe

soft g - '''menágerìê

'''côterìê

'''cálorìê

'''éyrìê

'''bâke

'''câke

'''Jâke

cf. bláck, Bláck - '''Blâke

'''mâke

'''snâke

'''sâke

'''tâke

eat steâk = hold '''stâke

'''mistâke

'''lîke

'''chîldlîke

'''gódlîke

'''wårlîke

'''cátlîke

'''pîke

'''chôke

'''brôke

broòk rhymes with '''Ládbroke

broòk rhymes with '''Bólingbroke

'''evôke

'''provôke

'''wôke

'''rebûke

'''dûke

cf. noun, adjective fînal - noun '''finàlê

cf. adjective rátional - noun '''rationàle

cf. Âbel, Bâbel, 'lâbel, Mâbel - '''âble

'''impertürbable

'''applícable

dis- '''despícable

it is normal to retain an e before -able to show either the pronunciation of the preceding consonant or the long sound of the preceding vowel -'''eable

-nsəble '''pronòunceable

-jəble '''mánageable

-jəble '''chângeable

-kəble '''unshâkeable

-ləble '''sâleable

'''gâble

cf. lâbel - '''avâilable

'''unwínnable

'''ádmirable

'''desîrable

'''sâble

'''advîsable

'''tâble

'''debâtable

'''insurmòuntable

'''stâble

'''cònstable

'''forgívable

'''dábble

'''rábble

cf. rébel - '''pébble '''dríbble

'''cóbble

'''góbble

'''hóbble

'''nóbble

'''wóbble

'''Húbble

'''rúbble

'''stúbble

'''édible

tánj- '''tángible

'''fállible

'''térrible

'''hórrible

'''comprehénsible

'''apprehénsible

'''sénsible

-sable is French - '''respónsible

axé- '''accéssible

'''colléctible

'''suscéptible

'''contémptible

'''irresístible

'''ámble

prê- '''preámble

'''gámble

'''rámble

'''scrámble

'''assémble

'''dissémble

.*rizémble '''resémble

.*onsómble '''ensemble

'''nímble

'''thímble

'''búmble

'''fúmble

'''húmble

'''júmble

'''múmble

'''rúmble

'''crúmble

'''grúmble

'''túmble

'''stúmble

'''nôble

'''doúble

AmE rûble = BrE '''roûble

'''troúble

'''pínnacle

'''bàrnacle

'''téntacle

'''óbstacle

.*vêícle '''vêhicle

'''véntricle

'''pàrticle

.*úngkəl '''úncle

'''càrbuncle

'''tréadle

'''crâdle

'''páddle

'''stráddle

'''ẁaddle

'''tẁaddle

médal medallion = interfere '''méddle

bicycle pédal = sell '''péddle

'''díddle

'''fíddle

'''míddle

'''píddle

'''ríddle

'''códdle

cúddle

fúddle

'''befúddle

'''húddle

'''múddle

'''cándle

'''dándle

'''hándle

'''spíndle

'''noôdle

'''poôdle

'''gïrdle

'''cürdle

'''hürdle

'''kerfúffle

'''trúffle

'''strúggle

'''invêigle

g sounded separately from ng -'''ngle

'''ángle

'''bángle

'''dángle

spángle

'''wrángle

'''wángle

'''bürgle

'''bûgle

'''bîle

BrE -île, AmE -əl môbile

'''åutomobìle

'''fîle

BrE -île, AmE -əl frágile

'''Ánglophîle

'''mîle

'''símilê

.*fáx-íməly '''facsímilê

'''smîle

'''pîle

'''rîle

BrE -île, AmE -əl '''stérile

BrE -île, AmE -əl prayers míssal = war '''míssile

'''tîle

BrE -île, AmE -əl '''vólatile

'''mërcantîle

'''ínfantîle

BrE -île, AmE -əl '''hóstile

.*gîle, hard g - '''guîle

'''revîle

'''táckle

'''héckle

'''fréckle

'''píckle

'''tíckle

'''cóckle

'''búckle

'''ánkle

'''tínkle

'''wrínkle

'''wínkle

food gríll = screen '''grílle

fire côal = person '''Côle

'''dôle

'''hôle

'''môle

ballot pôll = Poland Pôle = wood '''pôle

over, eat rôll = play '''rôle

'''partíciple

adjective, person príncipal = belief '''prínciple

'''discîple

'''sāmple

'''exāmple

'''dímple

'''símple

'''rúmple

'''crúmple

stêeple rhymes with '''pêople

'''nípple

'''rípple

'''típple

'''coúple

'''scrûple

vással and in AmE words in -āstle rhyme with '''hássle

-zle '''tòusle

person Súttle = obvious '''súbtle

'''chŏrtle

-səl -'''stle

'''cāstle

véssel rhymes with -'''éstle

'''néstle

'''tréstle

'''wréstle

'''whístle

'''grístle

Rússell rhymes with -'''ústle

'''bústle

'''hústle

'''rústle

'''líttle

'''cáttle

'''kéttle

gold métal = courage méttle

'''bóttle

súbtle rhymes with '''shúttle

-ûel rhymes with -'''ûle

'''módule

'''mûle

'''rûle

'''cápsule

'''dázzle

'''fízzle

cf. drível - '''drízzle

'''sízzle

'''púzzle

person Mêe = ''you mê

cf. âim - câme

'''gâme

'''lâme

'''sâme

'''frâme

'''tâme

'''extrême

'''dîme

.*rèzhìme '''regìme

'''lîme

verse rhŷme = frost '''rîme

'''tîme

'''íncòme

'''òutcòme

'''dôme

'''hôme

'''gênome

Alaska Nôme = garden '''gnôme

'''sòme

səm -'''some

'''troúblesome

'''hándsome

'''thrêesome

h- '''whôlesome

'''wínsome

cf. hysteréctomy - '''epítomê

.*rizyûme resûme

written with French accents avoids confusion with resûme: résumé .*rézumây résumè

.*prizyûme presûme

-syû- consûme

-syû- '''assûme

frost rîme = verse '''rhŷme

fruit lîme = England '''Lŷme

'''énzŷme

'''bâne

persons Câin = Câine = stick '''câne

'''urbâne

'''Dâne

'''mêthane

'''Jâne

'''lâne

cf. remâin - relevant '''germâne

'''scêne

'''obscêne

person '''Germâine

-ône '''colôgne

-îgn rhymes with -'''îne

'''mìgrâine

'''Ukrâine

.*Mádlin or *Mádlən - Mádeleíne

'''refîne

'''confîne

'''éngíne

cf. hérôín drug, hérôíne hero - '''méscalíne

declîne

'''reclîne

'''mîne

vërmín rhymes with '''ërmíne

'''detërmíne

'''sërpentîne

'''türpentîne

'''intéstíne

K- '''Chrístìne

'''prístìne

'''magazìne

win wòn = number '''òne

'''cône

cf. Stône of Scone, *Scoôn - '''scóne

'''dòne

'''condône

'''góne

'''alône

'''anémonê

'''nòne

'''atône

'''stône

cf. Kíngston, both have o as schwa - '''Mâidstone

'''zône

'''ãirbŏrne

o as schwa in best Aus pronunciation '''Mélbourne

'''Êastbŏurne


 * dí-mâin '''demèsne

= -ô, -ôw - -'''ôe

'''ôboe

'''dôe

'''fôe

-oô '''shoe

'''Jôe

-oô '''canoe

'''rôe

'''tôe

'''wôe

'''Zôê

'''grâpe

'''Penélopê

'''ántelôpe

or ón- '''énvelôpe

'''shãre

'''awãre

'''bewãre

'''prepãre

'''îronwãre

'''sóftwãre

-re as schwa - *âkər '''âcre

-re as schwa - -kər '''mássacre

ear hêar = this '''hêre

them théir = that '''thére

clothes wéãr = place '''whère

'''mêre

was '''wëre

'''sevêre

'''shîre

in England, schwa, -shə -'''shire

.*Glóstersher '''Glóucestershire

.*Léstersher '''Léicestershire

.*Wùstersher '''Worcestershire

-shîre in Scotland – though non-Scots may not comply '''Âyrshîre

'''hîre

'''mîre

AmE mêter = BrE length '''mêtre

cf. fŏr - '''befŏre

'''to the fŏre

'''thérefore

(and, for some, toûr guide) rock  tŏr = téar '''tŏre

'''bizàrre

cf. grándeûr - '''cûre

'''endûre

'''pāstûre

'''abjûre

-jər '''ínjure

-jər '''cònjure

'''përjure

'''lûre

-lyər '''fâilure

BrE əlyûə '''allûre

BrE Shåw = AmE '''sûre

-zhər -'''sure

'''pléasure

'''méasure

'''tréasure

'''léisure

'''clôsure

-sh- '''préssure

-sh- '''físsure

-chər -'''ture

'''matûre

'''nâture

'''státure

'''fûture

'''sûture

'''wê’re

of you yŏur = days yŏre = you are '''yŏu’re

here thére = them théir = they '''thèy’re

chêese, slêaze and frêeze rhyme with '''êase

-ss '''lêase

êase rhymes with plea plêas = request '''plêase

-ss '''crêase

verb, noun -ss '''decrêase

verb, noun -ss '''incrêase

-z '''têase

âce rhymes with '''châse

confuse fâze = temporary '''phâse

-êez (no nationalities end in -ìse); usually stressed but can become unstressed before a noun as in Jápanese: -'''êse

'''chêese

'''jöurnalêse

'''Nepalêse

'''Jápanêse

'''Chînêse

in all words apart from those specified below, -îse can be spelt -îze, for example críticize, and this is how -îse is pronounced in most verbs -'''îse

'''críticîse

pronounced but never spelt -ize noun, verb '''éxercîse

pronounced but never spelt -ize '''mërchandîse

pronounced but never spelt -ize '''fránchîse

'''vërbalîse

'''rêalise

'''êqualîse

-êez '''valìse

'''fërtilîse

never spelt -ize because it is a noun and pronounced -íss '''prémíse

never spelt -ize because pronounced -íss noun, verb '''prómíse

pronounced but never spelt -ize '''cómpromîse

pronounced but never spelt -ize '''surmîse

.*pŏrpus '''pŏrpoise

.*tŏrtus '''tŏrtoise

pronounced but never spelt -ize '''despîse

'''glámorise

pronounced but never spelt -ize '''comprîse

pronounced but never spelt -ize '''surprîse

presh- '''pressurîse

'''émphasîse

práctíce = BrE verb '''práctíse

'''áppetîse

pronounced but never spelt -ize '''ádvertîse

.*éxpertêez '''expertìse

silent u; pronounced but never spelt -ize '''disguîse

pronounced but never spelt -ize '''advîse

cf. noun devîce - -z verb '''devîse

pronounced but never spelt *wîze '''wîse

pronounced but never spelt -wize -'''wîse

pronounced but never spelt -ize '''lîkewîse

pronounced but never spelt -ize '''clóckwîse

-ss, as also hénce, fénce - '''dénse

'''sénse

'''nónsense

cf. defénce, lîcence, offénce where AmE has -ense, all -ss '''suspénse

cf. dôze -ss '''dôse

-z '''chôse

'''grandiôse

.*loôze '''lose

noun, adjective -s, verb -z '''clôse

-z '''nôse

-z '''choôse

.*lûce '''loôse

-z '''expôse

can have French accent: exposé *expôzây '''expôsè

-z '''rôse

'''ápse

'''lápse

noun '''rêlapse

verb '''relápse

'''collápse

'''trâipse

'''eclípse

cop cóps = wood '''cópse

'''hëarse

cf. revërse - '''rehëarse

'''tërse

'''vërse

'''avërse

'''ádverse

cf. rehëarse - '''revërse

'''gŏrse

voice hŏarse = animal '''hŏrse

'''wörse

'''bŏurse

vulgar cŏarse = run '''cŏurse

-z '''ûse

no! -z '''refûse

rubbish -ss '''réfuse

-z '''mûse

-ss '''spòuse

-îze '''ánalyse

-îze '''páralyse

lure bâit = anger, breath '''bâte

'''debâte

'''rêbâte

-âte verb, -ət noun '''prédicate

'''índicâte

'''víndicâte

-ət '''certíficate

BrE -ət, AmE -âte - '''cándidate

'''fâte

'''hâte

'''lâte

-âte verb, -ət adjective '''artículate

'''régulâte

'''mâte

-ít or -ət '''clîmate

-âte verb, -ət adjective '''éstimate

person Spèight = rush '''spâte

'''séparate

-rət '''dísparate

-âte verb, -ət adjective '''delíberate

cf. ônerous - '''exónerâte

-rət '''désperate

'''émigrate

'''ímmigrate

-âte verb, -ət adjective '''eláborate

máj- '''mágistrâte

'''démonstrâte

'''rémonstrâte

-âte verb, -ət adjective '''precípitate

'''áctivâte

'''effête

'''complête

.*sôshalîte '''sôcialîte

'''elìte

'''polîte

'''gráníte

'''fînîte

.*définət '''définite

.*ínfinət '''ínfinite

'''unîte

'''despîte

AmE réspíte - '''réspîte

'''hýpocríte

AmE -or-; BrE '''fâvouríte

'''Trótskyîte

can be written 'Brontë' - '''Bróntê

'''ánecdote

'''ántidote

'''môte

'''nôte

'''vôte

'''fŏrtè

'''càste

'''hâste

'''châste

usually stressed -ét -'''étte

oô- '''oubliétte

'''serviétte

matress pállet = paint '''pálette

cf. hámlet - *ómlet '''ómelette

'''kitchenétte

'''tríbûte

'''cóntríbûte

'''dístríbûte

noun '''áttribûte

verb '''attríbute

.*mínít time '''mínute

.*mŷ-neŵt small '''minûte

'''repûte

'''compûte

cf. ínput - '''impûte

'''bŷte

'''nêophŷte

mostly silent -'''ue

'''bàrbecûe

'''âgûe

.*lêag '''lêague

persons Hãig = Hâigh = city, person '''Hâgue

.*plâig '''plâgue

.*Pràg '''Pràgue

.*sâygwây '''sèguè

-êeg noun '''íntrigue

-êeg verb '''intrìgue

-êeg '''fatìgue

.*meráng '''meringue

.*túng '''tòngue

-óg '''sýnagogue

-óg dîalogue

àrgûe

blow bleŵ = colour '''blûe

'''clûe

'''glûe

final que is silent: many words end like this, but not bàrbecûe - '''que

-àk '''pláque

-âik '''opâque

.*Môzám-bêek '''Mozambìque

cf. reálpolitìk - '''critìque

-ésk '''burlésque

-ésk '''Pinterésque

-ésk '''picturésque

-ósk '''mósque

cf. brísk -oòsk '''brùsque

Susan Sûe = law '''sûe

.*insyû '''ensûe

-syû '''pursûe

.*íshû '''íssue

.*tíshû '''tíssue

'''câve

'''Dâve

'''gâve

'''háve

'''cónclâve

'''pâve

'''râve

'''crâve

serious, dead '''grâve

accent '''gràve

sw- '''suàve

'''êve

'''slêeve

'''belìêve

'''relìêve

'''grìêve

'''síeve

'''sémibrêve

'''côërcíve

'''dîve

'''éndíve

'''recêive

'''concêive

'''fîve

cf. jîve dance - hard g in take '''gíve

'''hîve

'''líve

'''alîve

'''derîve

'''contrîve

'''adhêsíve

'''offénsive

'''crêâtive

'''tålkatíve

'''imáginative

'''repétitive

'''arrîve

'''persuâsive

'''sénsitíve

'''môtíve

'''revîve

'''abòve

bird '''dòve

(BrE is regular dîved) AmE dive '''dôve

England Hôve = heave '''hôve

'''shòve

'''lòve

'''glòve

.*moôve '''move

'''groôve

'''rôve

'''grôve

'''stôve

'''trôve

'''strôve

'''nërve

'''sërve

.*prizërv '''presërve

'''Î’ve

'''wê’ve

'''yoû’ve

'''thèy’ve

'''Zimbàbwè

'''Lilóngwè

AmE áx - BrE '''áxe

'''yê

me Î = sight '''eŷe

pig, eye stŷ = eye '''stŷe

plêase and frêeze rhyme with '''slêaze

period phâse = confuse '''fâze

'''gâze

'''ádze

free frêes = cold '''frêeze

'''trapêze

most words in -îse can also be spelt -îze: all exceptions are listed under -îse. -'''îze

never -ise '''sêize

apart prîse = present '''prîze

never -ise '''sîze

'''dôze

'''búlldoze

'''Drûze

both pronounced -îze BrE ánalŷse, AmE '''ánalŷze

both pronounced -îze BrE páralŷse, AmE '''páralŷze

F
'''chìêf

'''míschíef

'''thìêf

'''belìêf

'''relìêf

'''stāff

'''whíff

'''táriff

'''óff

'''féoff

'''Géoff

'''blúff

'''stúff

'''íf

'''sérif

cf. reason môtíve - *mô-têef pattern '''môtìf

'''Álf

.*cāf '''cālf

.*hāf '''hālf

one word '''himsélf

one word '''hersélf

one word '''yoursélf

one word '''itsélf

one word '''mŷsélf

'''gôlf

Rôlph = '''Rôlf

.*wùlf '''wolf

'''gúlf

'''Bêowùlf

No expressions with modal verbs followed by ‘of’ exist. What may sound like ‘of’ is the weak form of háve and so this or apostrophes should be written instead: woùld have, shoùld’ve, cān’t have, mîght’ve etc. - *óv '''óf

'''goôf

cf. plural hoôves - '''hoôf

cf. plural roôfs *roôves '''roôf

G
'''fág

'''hág

'''nág

'''drág

'''ság

'''lég

'''pég

'''égg

'''díg

'''jíg

'''píg

'''ríg

'''wíg

'''sáng

'''âgeing

cf. sing sínging - -j- singe síngeing

.*âking âcheing

mâking

snooker, drama cûeing = line queûeing

rûeing

brínging

cf. singe síngeing -j- - sing sínging

thíng

often mispronounced 'Beizhing': Bèijíng

AmE '''lâbeling

'''fîling

BrE '''lâbelling

'''fílling

'''dúmpling

'''êvening

'''mîning

'''exámining

sound '''bŏing

.*dûíng '''doing

'''gôing

tûí- '''toíng and frôíng

bell, round '''ríng

'''bríng

squeeze '''wríng

'''síng

cf. râcing - '''râising

'''tàrgeting

'''intërpreting

'''bétting

'''gétting

'''forgétting

'''accrûing

'''flôwing

'''lápwing

'''léft-wíng

'''rîght-wíng

'''lóng

'''sóng

'''dúng

'''lúng

'''súng

'''bóg

'''dóg

'''hóg

'''lóg

cf. Jôe Blóggs - '''blóg

'''Stríndbërg

'''îcebërg

.*Hŷdlebërg '''Heîdelbërg

'''Bŏrg

'''Mágdebürg

'''Lúxemböurg

.*Shãrebŏrg '''Chérbourg

.*Strázbërg '''Strásböurg

'''búg

'''dúg

'''thúg '''slúg

'''túg

H
silent after a vowel, combines to form consonant sounds with preceding consonant -'''h

can be several à’s: '''àh

mostly schwa -'''ah

cf. Marìa - '''Marîah

'''parîah

'''blàh

'''ayatóllah

Gôa rhymes with '''Nôah

'''hurràh

'''Ûtàh

'''êach

'''blêach

'''pêach

'''impêach

'''rêach

AmE *spínních; BrE *spínnídge '''spínach

sand bêach = tree '''bêech

'''besêech

.*ték: abbreviation of téchnical; also hî-téch - '''téch

'''whích

-k '''Zûrich

cf. same sound in Åldwých -'''wích

and S- town; AmE -ch; BrE -dge '''sándwich

.*Woòlidge '''Woòlwich

.*Brómmidge '''Brómwich

.*Grénnidge '''Gréenwich

.*Hárrídge '''Hárwich

.*Nórrídge, rhyming with pórridge - though some say -rích '''Nórwich

-wích '''Ípswich

-wích '''Drŏitwich

-wích '''Nántwich

'''squélch

Wales Wélsh = person Wélch

'''fílch

'''zílch

'''drénch

'''sténch

'''wénch

'''ínch

cf. sýnch - easy '''sínch

'''wínch

'''cónch

'''búnch

'''húnch

'''púnch

'''lýnch -ch

cf. easy sínch, ch sound; down, wash sínk = together '''sýnch

-dóck '''Mürdoch

'''smoôch

'''àrch

'''sëarch

'''làrch

-k '''pâtriàrch

BrE -ək '''mónarch

'''kítsch

'''pùtsch

'''bátch

'''cátch

'''hátch

'''nátch

'''ẁatch

'''étch

'''fétch

'''kétch

'''ítch

'''dítch

'''hítch

'''glítch

'''pítch

'''stítch

cf. Åldwých - what whích BrE = wizard '''wítch

'''twítch

'''bótch

'''hótchpotch

'''Dútch

'''múch

-k '''eûnuch

'''còuch

'''gròuch

'''toúch

'''vòuch

'''súch

cf. place names in -wích - '''Åldwých

-d '''Rìyadh

ð éth or '''édh


 * ây '''èh

mostly silent -'''gh

no nây = horse '''nèigh

kill slây = ride '''slèigh

cf. convèy, purvèy - '''invèigh

how wây = heavy '''wèigh

greeting hî = up '''hîgh

cf. voiced th in thŷ: vowel sound identical - unvoiced th in '''thîgh

.person Nŷe = near '''nîgh

.*sŷe '''sîgh

.*Éddinbrə '''Édinburgh

.*Frâzerbrə '''Frâserburgh .*Pítsbürg '''Píttsburgh

BrE *làf AmE *láf '''lāugh

-òw '''bòugh

-ô '''thôugh

-ôw '''fûrlôugh

.*slòu - England Slòugh = swamp '''slòugh

.*slúff skin '''sloúgh

.*rúff '''roúgh

-û - throw threŵ = preposition '''throûgh

AmE = búrrow ground - BrE *búrrə '''bòrough

.*Lúfbrə '''Loúghborough

.*Scàrbrə '''Scàrborough

.*Míddlzbrə '''Míddlesborough

BrE *thúrrə, AmE *thúrrôw '''thòrough

-óff '''trôugh

-úff '''toúgh

-úff '''enoúgh

letter Ô = exclamation '''ôh

-f -'''ph

'''Rálph

'''oòmph

'''trîumph

'''lýmph

'''nýmph

'''mŏrph

'''glýph

AmE -r, BrE silent -rrh

'''catàrrh

'''mÿrrh

'''ásh

'''básh

'''cásh

'''dásh

'''gásh

'''hásh

'''flásh

'''slásh

'''smásh

'''rásh

'''crásh

'''thrásh

'''stásh

'''qùash

'''ẁash

'''Bangladésh

'''mésh

'''frésh

'''thrésh

'''réddish

'''chîldish

'''bánish

'''Spánish

'''vánish

end fínish = Finland Fínnish

'''astónish

'''gàrnish

'''tàrnish

'''vàrnish

'''Cŏrnish

'''bürnish

'''fürnish

'''púnish

'''wísh

'''fíftyish

person '''Ẁalsh

-sh - person Wélch = Wales '''Wélsh

'''cósh

'''dósh

'''nósh

'''whoòsh

'''pósh

'''tósh

'''bùsh

'''lúsh

'''blúsh

'''flúsh

'''plúsh

'''pùsh

'''rúsh

'''thrúsh

mostly unvoiced -'''th

'''déath

'''hêath

'''bréath

'''wrêath

'''ôath

'''pāth

-drət + unvoiced th - '''húndredth

'''shibbóleth

voiced th - '''wíth

'''héalth

'''stéalth

'''wéalth

'''plínth

'''nînth

'''bôth

'''dòth

'''lôth

'''slôth

'''ëarth

'''dëarth

'''heàrth

'''bïrth

'''gïrth

'''héncefŏrth

'''Fïrth of Fŏrth

'''gô fŏrth

'''nŏrth

'''wörth

4th '''fŏurth

noun th unvoiced, verb th voiced '''mòuth

ou as schwa, th unvoiced -'''mouth

-məth '''Bŏurnemouth

-məth '''Pŏrtsmouth

-məth '''Plýmouth

'''síxth

voiced th - casual blîthe = persons Blŷthe = '''Blŷth

voiced th - persons Smŷthe = '''Smŷth

schwa: BrE er = AmE '''uh

I
-î or -'''ì

'''Dubaî

h sounded '''Shanghaî

'''Ábu Dhàbì

'''rábbî

'''álibî

'''Sàùdì

likewise other plurals of -us - '''nûclêî

'''Hawàìì

'''Isrâeli

'''Disrâeli

.*sémmy '''sémi

eat pîe = number '''pî

girls’ names tend to end in -i or -ie, boys’ in -y - '''Térrì

.*paparatsy - '''paparázzi

J, K
-zh '''Ràj

-zh Mahal '''Tàj

-dj '''hàjj

-que = -'''k

vegetable lêek = liquid '''lêak

'''blêak

'''spêak

car brâke = pieces '''breâk

'''strêak

'''têak

money, wood stâke = meat '''steâk

days wêek = feeble '''wêak

'''flák

'''ánorák

'''háck

'''sáck

'''déck

'''líck

'''gímmick

'''hŏick

'''bríck

'''síck

'''tíck

'''Pàrtick

cf. Éric - '''Pátrick

'''Bûíck

'''quíck

'''wíck

.*Wórrick '''Ẁarwick

.*Bérrick '''Bérwick

w sounded in '''Lërwick

.*Kézzíck '''Késwick

.*Smédhík (voiced th sound) '''Sméthwick

cf. Bangkók - '''cóck

'''dóck

'''lóck

'''wédlock

'''flóck

'''wårlock

.*nóck '''knóck

'''sóck

'''dúck

'''lúck

liquid lêak = vegetable '''lêek

'''mêek

'''rêek

'''sêek

feeble wêak = days '''wêek trék

cf. sqwåwk - -åwk -'''ålk

or båulk - -åwk '''bålk

-åwk '''chålk

cf. talcum powder tálc, l sounded - -åwk speak '''tålk

-åwk bird stŏrk BrE = plant, follow '''stålk

-åwk '''wålk

'''whélk

.*fôk '''fôlk

-fək '''Nŏrfolk

-fək '''Súffolk

ox yôke = egg '''yôlk

'''bánk

'''sánk

'''tánk

'''thánk

'''dránk

person Fránk = honest '''fránk

'''thínk

'''rínk

'''drínk

'''shrínk

'''sínk

'''hónk

'''plónk

'''mònk

'''hónky-tónk

'''dúnk

'''fúnk

'''Bángkók

'''noòk

'''spoôk

'''roòk

'''broòk

'''wók

'''pàrk

'''jërk

'''bersërk

'''smïrk

'''shïrk

'''kïrk

'''quïrk

'''wörk

'''lürk

'''Türk

'''āsk

'''bāsk

'''flāsk

'''tāsk

'''désk

record dísc = computer '''dísk

'''whísk

'''óbelisk

'''rísk

'''ásterisk

'''dúsk

'''músk

'''túsk

'''åuk

'''squåwk

L
'''lógical

'''mýthical

'''puritánical

'''histórical

'''hystérical

thê- '''theátrical

'''mûsical

'''práctical

'''scéptical

'''mýstical

'''nåutical

'''quízzical

'''fôcal

'''lôcal

'''vôcal

interfere méddle = coin '''médal

sell péddle = bicycle '''pédal

rhyming with cándle, hándle - '''scándal

rhyming with above '''sándal

'''concêal

'''repêal

'''squêal

'''vêal

'''revêal

'''lêgal

'''illêgal

'''rêgal

'''Bengål

.*commërshal '''commërcial

'''denîal

'''mênial

.*pàrshal '''pàrtial

'''ânal

AmE bânal - BrE '''banàl

'''canál

'''phenómenal

'''diágonal

'''hexágonal

-shənəl -'''tional

'''nátional

'''rátional

'''nôtional

hôle rhymes with '''gôal

'''shôal

cf. main, headteacher prínciple - basic, credo '''príncipal

'''quadriláteral

'''âmóral

'''immóral

-zəl '''apprâisal

cf. véssel - hássle rhymes with '''vással

'''ántênâtal

'''pôstnâtal

quality méttle = iron '''métal

.*péttle '''pétal

AmE inståll - BrE '''instål

-zhəl '''cásual

-kchəl '''áctual

'''evéntual

belly-button nâvel = ship '''nâval

cf. êvil - *medêvəl or '''medìêval


 * Mŷcle '''Mîchael

'''Ráphâél

a common mistake is to write 'Isreal' - '''Ísrâel

= capable âble, cf. tâble, stâble - person '''Âbel

cf. bábble - '''Bâbel

'''lâbel

'''Mâbel

noun '''rébel

verb '''rebél

'''excél

'''módel

'''yôdel

'''êel

'''fêel

'''pêel

'''fálafel

air ãerial = person '''Ãriel

'''Mûriel

cf. lôcal, vôcal - '''yokel

cf. përsonal - '''personnél

'''repél

'''compél

'''dispél

'''expél

'''appárel

'''cóckerel

'''bárrel

'''mínstrel

'''wâstrel

'''êasel

'''wêasel

words in -éstle rhyme with '''véssel

hô- '''hotél

cf. módel - mô- '''motél

'''cartél

-ûle rhymes with -'''ûel

two dûal = fight '''dûel

'''fûel

'''crûel

'''grûel

navy nâval = stomach '''nâvel

'''Ravél

'''unrável

'''trável

cf. drízzle - '''drível

'''swível

'''hóvel

'''shòvel

'''nóvel

'''bòwel

'''tròwel

'''tòwel

'''vòwel

'''píxel

'''TÉFL

'''fâil

'''avâil

'''prevâil

'''vèil

AmE fulfíll, BrE '''fulfíl

'''níl

'''fŏil

'''êvil

'''dévil

'''Brazíl

'''åll

'''båll

'''cåll

'''fåll

'''tåll

'''wåll

'''béll

'''déll

'''féll

'''héll

'''nútshell

'''péll-méll

'''séll

'''téll

'''quéll

'''wéll

'''fíll

'''píll

'''tíll

'''quíll

'''dóll

cf. parrot póll, elect '''pôll

part rôle = along '''rôll

'''drôll

'''strôll

'''tôll

'''bùll

'''cúll

'''dúll

but the suffix is -fùl - fùll

city Húll = boat '''húll

'''lúll

island Múll = over múll

and void '''núll

'''anúll

'''pùll

'''hê’ll

'''shê’ll

'''wê’ll

'''Î’ll

'''ít’ll

yoû’ll or yoù’ll or '''yŏu’ll

'''thèy’ll

'''prôtocol

'''álcohol

'''coôl

'''foôl

.*skoôl '''schoôl

'''poôl

'''spoôl

'''toôl

'''woòl

AmE enróll, BrE '''enrôl

'''patrôl

'''pétrol

cf. rôll - '''contrôl

'''párasól

-təl '''pístol

'''gïrl

'''whïrl

'''twïrl

'''whŏrl

'''fürl

'''Gåul

'''måul

'''Påul

Såul cáterwåul

cf. word fùll suffix -'''fùl

'''hôpeful

'''cãreful

'''beaûtiful

'''dûtiful

noun '''spoônful

'''wònderful

'''stréssful

'''àrtful

'''jŏyful

bird fòwl = bad '''fòul

'''ghoûl

only sôle = Korea Seôul = spirit '''sôul

'''åwl

'''båwl

'''cråwl

all meanings '''bôwl

bird '''fòwl

'''hòwl

y as schwa - '''Síbyl

y as schwa - '''Béryl

M
'''glêam

'''rêam

'''drêam

appear sêem = thread, coal '''sêam

'''stêam

'''scrêam

'''drêam

'''strêam

'''hám

BrE h silent, a as schwa, -əm; AmE -'''hám

h silent, g not sounded separately '''Búckingham

h silent, g not sounded separately '''Bïrmingham

-nəm '''Twíckenham

-nəm '''Chéltenham

.*Tótnəm '''Tóttenham

.*Méppəm '''Méopham

-səm '''Tópsham

-təm '''Stréatham

-təm '''Chátham

-təm '''Éltham

-təm '''Wåltham

unvoiced th sound '''Bôtham

unvoiced th sound '''Gótham

.*Rûtəm '''Wrotham

'''Wést Hám

'''môdém

'''dêem

group têam = pour '''têem

'''hém

'''ahém

'''Béthlehém

sounding like -um '''thêorem

'''stém

-ám '''dîaphragm

.*flém '''phlégm

-îm '''páradigm

'''rhýthm

'''âim

'''mâim

'''dím

dénim rhymes with '''Blénheim

'''whím

'''Kím

'''skím

'''dénim

'''mínim

BrE and AmE -àm '''bàlm

BrE and AmE -àm '''càlm

BrE and AmE -àm '''quàlm

tálcum rhymes with *Málcum '''Málcolm

dwell hôme = oak, islet '''hôlm

'''frêedom

'''bŏredom

'''kíngdom

'''slàlom

'''Tóm

'''árm

'''fàrm

'''hàrm

cf. wörm, wårn - '''wårm

pák- '''páchydërm

j- '''gërm

'''spërm

'''tërm

'''fïrm

'''fŏrm

'''nŏrm

cf. heat wårm - animal '''wörm

'''ŏrgasm

.*kázəm '''chásm

-zəm '''spásm

-ízəm; never stressed -'''ísm

'''âthêísm

'''Bùddhism

'''existéntialism

shôv- '''chauvinism

'''térrorism

'''mîcrocosm

'''tálcum

'''memorándum

'''referéndum

'''glúm

'''húm

'''válium

'''thállium

'''gerânium

'''aquãrium

'''delírium

'''drúm

'''húmdrúm

'''conúndrum

'''gymnâsium

'''fŏrum

'''vácûum

'''gỳm

name -'''ným

syû- '''pseûdonym

'''hómonym

'''sýnonym

'''ántonym

'''Î’m

N
'''bán

'''ürban

'''türban

'''cán

Gŏrdon rhymes with '''Jŏrdan

-tion '''crustâcean

lôtion rhymes with '''ôcean

'''dêan

'''clêan

'''mêan

-ìən '''epicûrêan

'''fán

'''Ìan

-íshən -'''ícian

'''technícian

'''patrícian

.*Óstrâlìən in rapid speech ends like míllion etc., -lyən - '''Austrâlian

-íshən abstract -ítion  = person -'''ícian

'''logícian

'''patrícian

'''politícian

'''mathematícian

'''reptílian

'''civílian

'''Brazílian

'''Gíllian

'''nonagenãrian

'''quinquagenãrian

'''septuagenãrian

'''sexagenãrian

'''octogenãrian

'''lîbrãrian

'''sectãrian

'''vegetãrian

'''libertãrian

no words end in *-erian

'''histŏrian

from -sia + n, = -sion, mostly -zh- -'''sian

-zh- '''Âsian

-zh- '''Caucâsian

-zh- '''Frêsian

AmE -izh-, BrE -ízì- '''Parísian

-shən = -tion -tian

'''Dalmâtian

nâtion rhymes with '''Crôâtian

'''Alsâtian

'''Títian

-bîzh- '''Azerbaijàn

'''mán

.*Îləv-Mán '''Îsle of Mán

mostly -mən -'''man

'''pâcemán

'''polìceman

'''hénchman

'''Omàn

'''Sûpermán

'''gásmán

'''ómbùdsman

'''Cóngressman

'''bátman

'''Bátmán

'''táxmán

'''Nŷman

-ən Kôfi Ànnan

'''môan

alone lône = lend '''lôan

'''grôan

god Pán = food '''pán

'''tán

'''Tîtan

'''Spàrtan

'''tàrtan

can be stressed in any word depending on speaker -'''stān

usually second syllable stressed '''Uzbékistan

'''Tajíkistan

'''Afghánistan

'''Manháttan

ván

ẁan

Tŷ- Taiwàn

= ón French en

letter én

dén

wîden

cf. Lòndon, both -dən - Cámden

sêen

splêen

shêen

grêen

fén

hén

dh- thén

léngthen

stréngthen

'''âlien

'''tâken

'''wêaken

'''brôken

'''tôken

'''wôken

'''dàrken

'''heàrken

'''póllen

'''swôllen

'''mén

-mən in most words -'''men

'''Yémen

'''spŏrtsmen

'''spécimen

'''chíldren

'''bréthren

'''wörsen

'''léssen

'''delicatéssen

'''bêaten

.*sóffən '''sóften

.*fāssən '''fāsten

.*hâyssən '''hâsten

.*líssən '''lísten

.*glíssən '''glísten

bird 'bíttërn ≈ bite'' bítten

'''íll-gótten

'''héaven

'''hâven

'''êven

'''eléven

'''séven

'''òven

'''còven

or prû- '''prôven

'''wôven

'''Ôwen

'''óxen

'''yén

'''Zén

-n -'''gn

'''campâign

vèin rhymes with '''dèign

would fâin = pretend '''fèign

wet râin = monarch rèign

.*sóvrin sóvereign

-lîne malîgn

-nîne benîgn

signal = sîne maths - sîgn

-zîne desîgn

-zîne resîgn

-sîne énsîgn

-pyûne impûgn

pub ínn = out ín

Câin

disdâin

gâin

.*əgén; some regularise to agâin - again

slâin

explâin

mâin

cf. germâne relevant = Germâine person - remâin

brâin

Bahrâin

trâin

retâin

Bríton person = country Brítain

-tín cáptain

dín

skèin

Elmer Bërnstêin

Leonard Bërnsteîn

thín

detërmine rhymes with vërmin

pín

sín

bâsin

tín

-m -mn

condemn dám = water  dámn

condémn

sólemn

cólumn

åutumn

man hím = church hýmn

out ín = pub ínn

ón

mostly schwa, as are Cámden, Màrsden, Hámpden = Hámpton -on

càrbon

university, clothing dón

Héndon

Lòndon

cŏrdon

cf. gàrden – Gŏrdon

curmúdgeon

pígeon

-njən dúngeon

-jən sürgeon

-jən stürgeon

-nchən trúncheon

bandôneon

Lêón

.*kəmêlêən; AmE -mê-; in fast speech -lyən, like míllion, Austrâlian - chamaêlêon

Napôleon

nêón

péntagon

bándwagon

àrgón

pólygón AmE; BrE *pólygən

'''îón

-yən -'''ion

most words spelt thus in Spanish are -tion in English -'''cion

-sh- '''suspícion

'''Asunción

-sh- '''côërcion

rêgion

lêgion

relígion

fáshion

cf. percússion, also -sh- - cùshion

vermílion

gálleon rhymes with '''stállion

'''bíllion

'''míllion

'''tríllion

'''búllion

ònion

ûnion

Orîon

centûrion

-zhən after vowels; -shən after consonants, including another s and, in BrE, r -sion

lêsion

vísion

télevision

revísion

scánsion

expánsion

-éntion -énshən = -énsion

comprehénsion

'''pénsion

'''suspénsion

'''ténsion

'''preténsion

'''exténsion

'''avërsion

'''dîvërsion

'''convërsion

'''excürsion

'''dîgréssion

'''séssion

'''míssion

ím- '''emíssion

əm- '''omíssion

-sh- '''percússion

'''fûsion

'''delûsion

'''illûsion

'''intrûsion

mostly -shən –'''tion

'''inundâtion

'''foundâtion

'''creâtion

'''installátion

'''constellátion

'''nâtion

'''rátion

vî- '''vibrâtion

mî- migrâtion

-kshən -ction

áction

afféction

conféction

BrE can be -éxion - refléction

colléction

BrE can be -éxion - connéction

eréction

'''diréction

'''contradíction

.*sángktchən '''sánction

.*úngktchən '''únction

.*fúngktchən '''fúnction

.*júngktchən '''júnction

.*cəmpúngkshən '''compúnction

'''complêtion

'''discrétion

'''definítion

'''preposítion

'''proposítion

'''opposítion

'''competítion

'''frûítion

= -énsion, -énshən -'''éntion

'''méntion

'''deténtion

'''inténtion

'''atténtion

prevéntion

absŏrption

erúption

abŏrtion

contŏrtion

contribûtion

distribûtion

pollûtion

solûtion

éxion is, except for compléxion, BrE only: other words end in -éction - éxion

so AmE, BrE refléction = BrE only refléxion

cf. conféction - *compléction compléxion

cf. convíction - crucifíxion

nŷlón

dêmon

lémon

Sólomon

Lébanon

cánnon

Shánnon

moôn

buffoôn

balloôn

lampoôn

harpoôn

cf. càrton - càrtoôn

upón

person  Bárron = lord báron

person Sháron

person AmE Sharôn, BtE Sharón

sáffron

eléctrón

neûtrón

sh- chévrón

boy sòn

bîson

Áshton

Élton

Lýttelton

prôtón

càrton

Nŏrton

east êastern BrE = person Êaston

west wéstern BrE = person Wéston

cf. Féatherstone, etc. Ålston

Màrston

Rŏyston

bútton

mútton

Sútton

wòn

cf. Jáckson, Híckson, etc. Díxon

Níxon

Ríxon

bàrn

'''dàrn

'''ëarn

'''lëarn

cf. wårm, wörm: wear wŏrn = person Wårne = warning '''wårn

'''yàrn

direction türn = bird '''tërn

'''lántern

'''stërn

'''astërn

persons Pátten = Pátton = BrE arrange '''páttern

bŏrn

cŏrn

cf. wriggly wörm - warning wårn = wear wŏrn ürn

bürn

chürn

round türn

fún

gún

nòun

shine sún

Whítsun

dåwn

påwn

spåwn

pråwn

heŵn

'''gòwn

'''blôwn

'''môwn

'''renòwn

.*nôan '''knôwn

'''bròwn

'''cròwn

'''grôwn

'''tòwn

O
mostly ô; never -ó -'''o

'''placêbô

usually *ənkô - & cô, '''and cô

'''stúccô

'''flaméncô

-û '''do

'''vídêo

'''Montevidèo

'''Lêo

Clìo = '''Clêo

'''Galilèo

'''gô

'''lumbâgo

'''dóggô

'''vërtigo

'''Djángo

'''lôgô

'''Tôgo

'''mácho

.*sŷko '''psŷcho

.*Tŷko '''Tŷcho

-shô '''braggadôcio

'''portfôlio

'''pôlio

-ss- '''impresàrio

-shô '''râtio

-shô '''Horâtio

'''nô

'''taboô

'''gôo

'''ígloô

'''Wåterloô

'''shampoô

'''kangaroô

'''woô

.*Búrə - it means Míddlesbrough, which doesn’t have the ò - ends in schwa - '''Bòro

'''prô

cf. bûreau - '''pólitburo

'''sô

'''Plâto

AmE tomâto BrE '''tomàto

'''potâto

f- '''phôto

'''Plûto

at to = also, many toô = 2 '''tŵo

'''émbrỳo

P
'''cáp

'''gáp

'''snáp

'''táp

'''stép

'''híp

'''friéndship

'''kíngship

'''crāftsmanship

'''shôwmanship

'''wörship

'''kíp

'''skíp

'''líp

'''clíp

'''flíp

'''slíp

'''whíp

'''gríp

'''tríp

'''stríp

'''whélp

'''kélp

'''cámp

'''dámp

'''lámp

'''rámp

'''crámp

'''trámp

'''hémp

'''ímp

'''skímp

'''límp

'''pímp

'''wímp

'''búmp

'''dúmp

'''thúmp

'''júmp

'''lúmp

'''slúmp

'''frúmp

'''trúmp

'''devélop

cf. noun énvelôpe - verb '''envélop

'''flóp

'''póp

'''sóp

'''désktóp

'''láptóp

'''hoôp

'''droôp

'''troôp

'''loôp

'''sloôp

'''stoôp

'''càrp

'''hàrp

'''wårp

'''bürp

'''slürp

'''clāsp

'''rāsp

'''grāsp

'''crísp

'''wísp

'''cúsp

'''úp

'''cùp

bird coô = overthrow '''coûp

.*rêcoôp '''recoûp

.*groôp '''groûp

'''gåwp

Q, R
'''Iràq

where unstressed, schwa -'''ar

'''bazàar

'''bàr

'''càr

'''râdàr

'''cálendar

'''êar

cf. drink bêer - animal, tolerate '''béãr

cf. risk dãre - animal dêer = beloved, expensive '''dêar

'''fêar

'''gêar

there hêre = ear '''hêar

look lêer = person '''Lêar

'''clêar

'''unclêar

.*nûclêə(r) '''nûclear

'''smêar

yêar or '''yëar

cf. búgger - '''béggar

though contemporaries pronounced it ending in schwa - '''Élgàr

sh- '''sùgar

buŷer, flŷer and trîer rhyme with '''lîar

'''brîar

'''jàr

'''símilar

'''píllar

'''cáterpillar

'''cóllar

hóller rhymes with '''dóllar

sk- '''schólar

'''môlar

'''múscular

'''régular

'''júgular

'''grámmar

-z- '''quâsàr

'''púlsàr

'''Qátàr

'''néctar

'''scímitàr

'''sítàr

change ålter = church '''åltar

'''mŏrtar

'''stàr

schwa:  AmE  uh  = BrE '''er

mostly schwa; stressed -ër in some words; some AmE -er words are -re in BrE. -'''er

'''câber

silent b: *clîmer '''clîmber

'''tímber

'''encúmber

'''cûcumber

'''lúmber

silent b: *plúmmer '''plúmber

'''cáncer

'''dāncer

'''cîder

'''glîder

'''spîder

person Rŷder = ride, logic '''rîder

'''insîder

bold bôlder = rock '''bôulder

'''shôulder

propagánda rhymes with BrE '''gánder

Lê- '''Leánder

mê- '''meánder

cf. sqùalor - '''sqùander

'''ẁander

'''wònder

'''yónder

'''enginêer

'''pîonêer

iléc- '''electionêer

cf. wither sêar, one diphthong, one syllable - *sêeər, two syllables see '''sêer

voluntêer

defër

confër

refër

prefër

óffer

próffer

cónifer

pílfer

hard g - làger

-j- mánager

cf. béggar - dágger

bígger

lógger

'''blógger

.*Nizhãir '''Nigér

hard g - '''tîger

hard g pronounced separately: áng-ger '''ánger

.*dânjer '''dânger

g not pronounced separately from -ng-; aeroplane hángar = coat '''hánger

.*mânjer '''mânger

.*strânjer '''strânger

.*jínjer '''gínger

hard g sounded separately: líng-ger '''línger

no g sound '''sínger

no g sound '''wínger

hard g sounded separately *mòng-ger -'''mònger

'''físhmònger

'''warmonger

hard g sounded separately: *stróng-ger - '''strónger

'''àrcher

'''màrcher

'''cátcher

'''decîpher

'''gôpher

or cîpher - '''cŷpher

usually voiced th and schwa -'''ther

'''bâther

'''féather

'''héather

'''léather

climate '''wéather

BrE far fàrther = AmE as well as BrE dad '''fàther

cf. AmE fàther - AmE láther - '''lāther

'''bláther

cf. AmE fàther - AmE ráther - '''rāther

unvoiced th - '''êther

'''togéther

if '''whéther

'''téther

for most speakers where whíther = decay '''wíther

'''òther

'''bóther

'''smòther

'''mòther

one word '''anòther

'''bròther

'''fàrther

'''fürther

'''idéntifîer

'''supplîer

'''ëarlier

person Crŷer = cry, town '''crîer

'''pìêr

silent French r - '''dóssièr

cry têar = level '''tìêr

'''jôker

'''hoòker

'''snoôker

'''pôker

'''bàrker

'''wörker

'''hándler

'''tóddler

'''jâiler

'''tåller

dóllar rhymes with '''hóller

'''rôller

'''stámmer

baseball hômer = person '''Hômer

'''wårmer

'''fŏrmer

'''góner

'''lôner

'''kêeper

'''léper

.*loôzer '''loser

'''câter

'''lâter

'''wåter

cf. áctor - k- '''cháracter

'''detër

cf. BrE mêtre, AmE mêter distance, rhythm - '''parámeter

'''perímeter

'''thermómeter

'''Pêter

'''trúmpeter

.*dåwter '''dåughter

āfter rhymes with '''lāughter

.*slåwter '''slåughter

'''wâiter

church åltar = change '''ålter

'''fålter

Wålter

'''shélter

'''helter-skélter

'''wélter

'''promôter

'''hélicopter

'''stàrter

'''disāster

'''Chéster

'''Mánchester

'''Dŏrchester

or -or: '''protéster

'''gángster

'''yoúngster

'''blíster

'''síster

'''hípster

'''bátter

'''fátter

'''hátter

'''mátter

'''pátter

'''bétter

'''bítter

'''lítter

'''hótter

'''tótter

'''bútter

'''stútter

'''commûter

'''compûter

.*lácker '''lácquer

'''avër

'''hâver

'''brâver

'''quâver

'''wâver

'''fêver

'''whichéver

AmE léver - BrE '''lêver

'''cléver

'''whenéver

.*hû-éver '''whoéver

'''wheréver

.*wót-éver '''whatéver

'''hòwéver

'''fîver

líver

ríver

arrow, shake '''quíver

'''ôver

'''còver

'''Dôver

'''hóver

'''lòver

'''plòver

art dråw ≈ desk '''dråwer

'''bòwer

'''flòwer

'''glòwer

'''pòwer

'''tòwer

cf. lãir - *lãyə '''lâyer

.*plâyə(r) plâyer

.*prãir prãyer

.*fŏyây fŏyèr

låwyer rhymes with emplŏyer

buŷer

.*lŏyer låwyer

thére *thãir rhymes with ãir

hãir

despãir

fïr

-vwàr réservoir

tâpìr

stïr

bestïr

mostly schwa, as also -er, -our -or

ráncor

córridŏr

cóndŏr

fŏr

abhŏr

ultêrior

antêrior

postêrior

ánchor

cf. sqùander - sqùalor

person Tâylor = clothes tâilor pállor

chāncellor

trémor

gòvernor

dŏor

pŏor

térror

hórror

spónsor

téar tŏre = crag tŏr

álligâtor

flagellâtor

órator

colláborator

narrâtor

spectâtor

áctor

léctor

Selécter band = seléctor

colléctor

protéctor

véctor

dóctor

proprîetor

trâitor

méntŏr

protéster is much more common than protéstor

invéstor

resístor

transístor

impóstor

whïrr

Cŏrr

fürr

pürr

occür

incür

concür

.*gránjə grándeur

frottëur

longuëur

voyëur

für

AmE Darfùr BrE Darfůr

AmE súlfur BrE súlphur

demür

fêmur

lêmur

mürmur

when unstressed, schwa; -or in AmE -our

we òur = time hòur

doûr

AmE -or - hàrbour

scòur

preposition fŏr = 4 fŏur

cf. petal flòwer - dough flòur

BrE *cúlə; AmE -or - còlour

BrE *glámə; AmE -or - glámour

BrE *hûmə; AmE -or - hûmour

BrE *ónə; AmE -or - hónour

sòur

téar tŏre = hill tŏr = travel for some speakers toûr

nón séquitur

-ə -yr

zéphyr

màrtyr

S
.*áz ás

.*wéəráz whereás

.*ház hás

.*Cánzus Kánsas

-såw Årkansås

.*wóz ẁas

AmE *ërbs hërbs

thêátrics

-x athlétics

-x gymnástics

-x logístics

Nétherlands

-dz forwards

words from Greek, etc: -êz -ês

Ándês

antípodês

côdes

édges

lódges

Hódges

hew heŵs = person Hûghes

lúllabîes

râbíes

.*síəríz sêríes

BrE *wúrríz, AmE *würríz or *würrìz wòrríes

Lós = lóss lose; -íz Lós Ángeles

distance mîles = person Mîles

cf. shékels - sháckles

-z Hërculês

-nz Bàrnes

Jóhn Mâynard Kèynes

Mílton Kêynes

.*dúzz dòes

.*gôze gôes

hêroes

.*tôze tôes

-tôze potâtoes

plural of -sís in Greek-derived words (see English irregular nouns) -sês

parénthesês

cf. prîces *prîsíz - *crŷsêez crîsês

.*loôziz loses

glāsses

-zíz hòuses

-ssíz spòuses

Sócratês

hêaves

leave, leaf lêaves

have-nots háves

shâves

wâves

thief thìêves

Îves

gíves

-k- àrchîves

plural noun lîves

singular verb líves

knife knîves

arrîves

môtíves

wife wîves

calf càlves

valve válves

elf élves

delve délves

shelf shélves

self sélves

one word, as with following: *òursélvz oursélves


 * yŏrsélvz yoursélves


 * dhəmsélvz themsélves


 * wùlvz wolves

cf. dòves - drôves

hoof hoôves

scarf scàrves


 * yéss yés

hoôves rhymes with roôfs

-gz dógs

parîahs

big sîze = sigh sîghs

-āffs lāughs

-óffs cóughs

.*íz ís

.*híz '''hís

plurals, no apostrophes, -íz '''Bangladéshis

-íz '''Bengålis

-íz '''Nepålis

-íz '''Isrâelis

-iz semifinals '''sémis

-əss '''pênis

-íz '''Sùnnis

-nŏy '''Íllinois

-íss '''Páris

Hórace and Mórris = BrE Maurice rhyme with Bóris and '''Dóris

'''Hárris

térrace rhymes with Férris

rhyming with Hórace, BrE Maurice = Mórris

Nórris

thêsis

Greek-derived words in -sís, *síss, have -sês, *sêez, for their plurals (see Irregular Plurals) sýnthesis

némesis

-íss Dâvis

-íss Mâvis

-íss Trávis

Élvis

pélvis

-íss áxis

léxis


 * nóx knócks

loòks

spoôks

-z sélls

-z húms

words from Greek: -óss -ós


 * kâyós châos

insect lòuse = nation Làos -dôz tornâdos

-pss hélps

schnápps

heart cŏre = army cŏrps

-z stàrs

lîars, trîers and buŷers rhyme with plîers

bôres, BrE påuse, and påws rhyme with dŏors

mostly -íss -ess

.*áxéss áccess

góddéss

cãreless

ûseless

hápless

hélpless

t can be silent lístless

t can be silent réstless

méss

goòdness

lîonéss

cléanliness

clúmsiness

nāstiness

no words end: *-yness

dréss

áctress

stréss

headmístress

cf. áccess *áxéss - asséss

silent u - guéss

kíss

prémíse rhymes with míss

lóss

grôss

cúss

-tss cáts

Kêats

Yâtes = Yeâts

-tss séts

it is ít’s = of it íts

-tss síts

-tss bútts

-tss cúts

mostly -əss -us

-ss bús

ábacus

fôcus

-oôz Híndûs

-kəss Bácchus

Sibèlius

Dêlius

Jûlius

j-; cf. adjective ingênious - noun gênius

ignorâmus

j- gênus

ménûs

for adjectives = -us mostly for nouns: -əss –ous

cåucus rhymes with råucous

-dəss - only found in the following five words -dous

treméndous

stûpendous

horréndous

jép- jéopardous

házardous

-jəss outrâgeous

-jəss gŏrgeous

simultâneous

'''pugnâcious

-êsh- spêcious

-ésh- précious

-ísh- vícious

uncónscious

relígious rhymes with sacrilegious

cf. noun gênius - adjective ingênious

pîous

censŏrious

kyù- cùrious

-ísh- fictítious

óbvious

prêvious

.*ánkshus ánxious

jéalous

zéalous

màrvellous

ridículous

fâmous

ínfamous

ánimus cf. ûnánimous

cf. vërtigo, hard g - g as j in vertíginous

glûtinous

glúttonous

scábrous

wòndrous

slānderous

'''thúnderous

mürderous

nûmerous

from -our - -orous

vígorous

glámorous

hûmorous

díz- disàstrous

mónstrous

vácuous

fátuous

nërvous

.*Bélla-Roôse Belarûs

cf. prósperous - phósphorus

rhêsus

cénsus

consénsus

sánctus

ríctus

-z jåws

irregular: *séz says

regular: *stâze stâys

-âze sîdeways

never used to form plurals: either a singular possessive or an abbreviation of ís - ‘s

w-, plural ònes = possessive òne’s

or *híz hê’s

or *shíz shê’s

chíldren’s

of it íts = it is ít’s

T
'''át

'''cát

'''bêat

'''hêat

'''chêat

'''plêat

'''nêat

'''fát

voiced th - '''thát

'''slát

ash grâte = big '''greât

'''swéat

'''bôat

'''côat

'''flôat

'''glôat

'''môat

'''Crôát

'''thrôat

.*dét '''débt

.*dòut '''dòubt

touch '''afféct

emotion '''áffect

result í- '''efféct

adjective '''përfect

verb '''perféct

thing '''óbject

disagree '''objéct

matter '''súbject

cruel '''subjéct

verb '''rejéct

noun '''rêjéct

'''colléct

'''connéct

'''áspect

'''respéct

.*éxtradîte '''éxtradîct

person '''áddict

verb '''addíct

'''êdict

.*indîte '''indîct

'''vërdict

person '''cónvict

verb '''convíct

mostly -ít (-ət in Australasian English), but some have French -ây -'''et

BrE Hërbert rhymes with '''shërbet

t sounded hit '''búffet

.*bùffây food '''bùffèt

.*crôshây '''crôchet

'''rátchet

'''crótchet

'''thícket

'''pícket

'''crícket

'''wícket

'''màrket

-lây '''chálèt

cf. -létte - *boòklít; these words are -lət in Australasian English - '''boòklet

'''píglet

.*bállây '''bállèt

'''mállet

'''ẁallet

'''bíllet

'''tríplet

BrE, u as schwa - '''qùadruplet, quíntuplet, séxtuplet, séptuplet, óctuplet

AmE - '''qùadrûplet, quíntûplet, séxtûplet, séptûplet, óctûplet

'''stàrlet

'''Jánet

'''plánet

'''gánnet

'''cŏrnet

'''límpet

-rây '''bérèt

å - '''quartét

'''bánquet

-kây '''crôquèt

-kây '''sóbriquèt

BrE *pàhkây, AmE *parkây '''pàrquèt

.*boô-kây '''bouquèt

'''déft

'''héft

'''léft

'''beréft

míffed rhymes with '''ríft

'''dríft

'''shríft

'''lóft

.*yót '''yacht

mostly silent gh -'''ght

'''èight

'''heîght

'''frèight

wèight

fîght

lîght

delîght

plîght

cf. sleîght-of-hánd little slîght

nîght

rîght

frîght

tîght

correct, left rîght = maker -wrîght

.*plâywrîte plâywrîght

cópyrîght

any = ŏught should åught

cåught

drāft = drāught

fråught

any åught = should ŏught

bŏught

fŏught

nŏught

brŏught

dròught

wrŏught

ít

-ate rhymes with -âit

breath bâte = catch bâit

gâit

wâit

awâit

bít

inhábit

prohíbit

déficit

còunterfeít

fŏrfeít

sürfeít

Fáhrenheît

befít

fít

hít

kít

lít

admít

commít

ômít

vómit

sít

-kít cïrcuit

-skít bíscuit

cóndûít

quít

-roôt recrûit

.*froòt frûit

cf. soòt - *sût or *syût sûit

Jésûít

-syoôt pursûit

quít

wít

dímwit

outwít

côbålt

hålt

målt

bélt

K- Célt

n- knélt

félt

jílt

kílt

sílt

tílt

.*bílt buílt

wílt

fåult

cúlt

only word ending in -mt (cf. prómpt) - dréamt

'''ánt

AmE cannot cán’t = philosopher Kánt = words '''cánt

'''signíficant

'''descéndant

'''deféndant

adjective depéndent = person '''depéndant

BrE *pànshàn, AmE '''pénchant

'''trénchant

'''clâimant

'''dŏrmant

'''còvenant

cf. próminent - '''dóminant

'''rámpant

'''árrant

'''érrant

now cúrrent = eat cúrrant

pléasant

incéssant

blâtant

hésitant

contéstant

resístant

rélevant

sërvant

ẁant

send sént = money cént

.*áxent áccent

dêcent

rêcent

magníficent

ascént

dént

précedent

anticêdent

áxi- áccident

óxi- óccident

résident

président

person depéndant = adjective depéndent

'''indepéndent

j- man (abbreviation of géntleman) '''gént

'''stríngent

'''púngent

hard G- Belgium '''Ghént

'''obêdient

Christian Lént = lend '''lént

'''éxcellent

'''repéllent

'''fråudulent

cf. mean méant - suffix -'''ment

'''engâgement

'''mánagement

séttlement

-tíssm- advërtisement

âilment

gòvernment

pâyment

përmanent

cf. dóminant - próminent

përtinent

oppônent

pãrent

appárent

transpárent

dífferent

inhérent

cohêrent

réverent

irréverent

eat cúrrant = now cúrrent

money cént = send sént

tént

cómpetent

inadvërtent

consístent

persístent

nón-exístent

vént

fërvent

línt

flínt

glínt

mínt

pînt

frònt

dåunt

gåunt

håunt

verb discòunt

noun díscount

vîc- vîscount

blúnt

rúnt

stúnt

gót

.*éscàr-gô escargôt

Màrgo = Màrgôt

hót

lót

no nót = tie knót

boôt

hoôt

foòt

loôt

roôt

soòt

pót

rót

árrow rhymes with tárôt

gold cárat = eat cárrot

párrot

tót

ápt

léapt

accépt

excépt

képt

slépt

wépt

unkémpt

exémpt

noun éxcërpt

íx- verb excërpt

àrt

pàrt

depàrt

impàrt

wårt

dïrt

flïrt

fŏrt

shŏrt

repŏrt

noun ímport

verb impŏrt

sŏrt

verb consŏrt

cf. cóncert - noun cónsŏrt

cürt

hürt

'''êast

'''bêast

'''fêast

'''lêast

'''bréast

'''yêast

'''fāst

'''lāst

'''māst

'''vāst

stréssed rhymes with -'''est

'''bést

'''íncést

.*hŷíst '''hîghest

.*drŷíst '''drîest

'''priêst

'''jést

'''lést

'''nést

'''vést

'''wést

'''lôwest

'''ángst

'''râcist

.*fáshist fáscist

líst

sôshə- sôcialist

týpist

gríst

K- Chrîst

-k- Gílchríst

insíst

consíst

persíst

exíst

whîlst

cóst

dusty dúst = archaic do dòst

hôst

ghôst

lóst

fŏremôst

úppermôst

òutermôst

pôst

fïrst

thïrst

wörst

cürsed rhymes with bürst

hürst

búst

lôcust

lúst

trúst

cýst

ánalýst

cátalýst

more common in family names like Péttitt and Sénnett (= sénate house) than in ordinary words: -tt

ẁatt

head bútt

Àrgonaut

cóz- cósmonaut

ástronaut

júggernaut

however bút

cút

jút

glút

slút

nút

òut

gòut

clòut

pòut

tòut

.*impùt ínput

rút

neŵt

nòwt

séxed rhymes with néxt

téxt

cān’t

shān’t

hádn’t

nêedn’t

dídn’t

.*cùdənt coùldn’t

.*shùdənt shoùldn’t

.*wùdənt woùldn’t

àren’t

dãren’t

wëren’t

háven’t

âin’t

dôn’t

habit wônt = will wôn’t

.*házzənt hásn’t

.*wózzənt ẁasn’t

.*dúzzənt dòesn’t

.*ízzənt ísn’t

.*åwtənt ŏughtn’t

.*mússənt mústn’t

.*mîtənt mìghtn’t

U, V, W
.*táblô '''tábleau

.*byoôrô '''bûreau

.*troôssô '''troûsseau

.*pláttô '''pláteau

silent u in Guinea; -ssòw Guínea Bíssàù

illness '''flû

.*êemyoô '''êmû

'''cáriboû

'''gùrû

-óff '''Gorbachev

-nyéff '''Brézhnev

along with many other such Slavonic names, -ov as -óff (such words were once spelt -off) '''Chékhov

'''guffåw

'''jåw

'''låw

'''clåw

animal '''påw

'''dråw

see, wood '''såw

little feŵ = relief '''pheŵ

'''Jeŵ

'''neŵ

therefore sô = needle '''sew

'''dreŵ

me yoû = sheep  eŵe = tree  '''yeŵ

Street Bôw = ribbon '''bôw

incline '''bòw

'''còw

(some say -òw) '''Móscôw

'''Dòw

'''wíndôw

'''hòw

'''lôw

'''belôw

'''flôw

'''allòw

-'''llôw

'''fállow

'''ẁallow

'''sẁallow

'''béllow

'''féllow

'''méllow

'''yéllow

'''bíllow

'''píllow

'''fóllow

'''hóllow

'''môw

'''nòw

negative nô = knowledge '''knôw

line '''rôw

argue '''ròw

'''grôw

'''thrôw

'''pròw

'''árrôw

'''bárrôw

'''fárrôw

'''hárrôw

'''nárrôw

'''spárrôw

needle sew = seeds '''sôw

pig '''sòw

foot tôe = pull '''tôw

'''stôw

'''bestôw

'''vòw

X
data fácts = machine '''fáx

hasn’t lácks = careless '''láx

'''côax

'''hôax

'''wáx

dúst flécks = cord '''fléx

'''rêflex

'''cïrcumflex

'''véx

'''fíx

'''míx

'''síx

high jínks = curse '''jínx

'''mínx

'''quíncunx

'''lýnx

'''phárynx

'''óx

'''bóx

person Cóx = boat '''cóx

'''páradóx

'''ŏrthodóx

'''flúmmox

plural -lôz '''tábleaux

plural -rôz '''bûreaux

'''flúx

'''crúx

Y
after a consonant, mostly -ỳ

as a suffix, may be pronounced -dỳ in days of the week such as Mònday - '''dây

'''bïrthday

'''hóliday

'''Frîday

'''wêekday

'''wörkday

'''Mònday

'''Súnday

'''todây

'''yésterday

'''Sáturday

doom doômsday = book '''Domesday

'''Wédnesday

'''Tûesday

'''Thürsday

'''Mâyday

'''hèyday

elf fèy = person '''Fây

'''gây

'''hây

'''clây

'''delây

'''plây

'''displây

verb mây = month '''Mây

'''sây

.*Línzy '''Líndsay

'''daresây

'''hêarsay

'''stây

cf. place names in -aî - *Páragwŷe '''Páraguaŷ

.*Yûrəgwŷe '''Ûruguaŷ

weight wèigh = how '''wây

'''awày

verb is two words '''breâkaway

verb is two words '''rúnaway

verb is two words '''gétaway

'''Gålway

cricket, farewell bŷe = 2 bî- = preposition '''bŷ

'''bâby

cábbie and words in -ábby rhyme with '''Gáby

'''lúllabŷ

abbot ábbey = persons Àbbey = '''Ábby

'''shábby

'''flábby

'''tábby

'''lóbby

'''lâybŷ

sight sêe = -sỳ = -'''cỳ

'''Mâcy

'''râcy

cf. hypócrisy - thêócracy

cf. hypócrisy - demócracy

.*byurócracy '''bureaucracy

'''áccuracy

cf. verb próphesŷ - noun '''próphecỳ

'''nŏrmalcy

'''fáncy

'''chāncy

'''nécrománcy

person Náncy

France Nàncy

'''discrépancy

'''téndency

'''cúrrency

'''constítuency

'''shâdy

'''lâdy

'''trágedy

'''cómedy

'''përfidy

'''súbsidy

persons Àbbey = Ábby = abbot '''ábbey

'''obèy

person Fây = whimsy '''fèy

Hárringây = Háringèy

'''thèy

'''whèy

'''kêy

cf. lúcky - '''láckêy

'''hóckey

'''dónkêy

'''mònkêy

'''lèy

állêy

válley

trólley

fólly rhymes with vólley

jóckêy

dónkêy

mònkêy

nest, cart = drây cart drèy

Jéffrêy

ósprêy or ósprèy

cf. invèigh - convèy

purvèy

'''Hàrvêy

-zy '''Jërsêy

'''íffy

'''jíffy

'''stúffy

'''símplifŷ

'''mágnifŷ

'''vérifŷ

'''goôfy

'''dódgy

'''pódgy

-jy '''strátegy

'''fóggy

-njỳ -'''ngy

-jy '''mângy

-jy '''díngy

-ləjỳ -'''logy

jêó- '''geólogy

sôsh- '''sociólogy

-jy '''astrólogỳ

-jy '''énergy

-jy '''sýnergy

-jy '''líturgy

.*díng-y '''dínghy

.*dôwy '''dôughy

jó- '''geógraphy

cf. catástrophê, apóstrophê - '''trôphy

'''átrophy

voiced th, cf. thîgh, unvoiced, same vowel sound '''thŷ

telépathy

sýmpathy

lêaky

tácky

cf. jóckey - '''lúcky

'''plúcky

'''pôky

'''âbly

próbably

regréttably

nó- knóbbly

fêebly

vísibly

respónsibly

dumb *dúmly dúmbly

crumble crúmbly

nôbly

cf. bâsically - públicly

admíttedly

'''lîkely

two ls pronounced - '''sôlely

'''delíberately

'''complêtely

'''prîmãrily

'''necessãrily

'''temporãrily

'''militãrily

'''momentãrily

-z- '''êasily

'''quíckly

cf,állêy - '''állŷ

cf. públicly - '''económically

'''tópically

'''bâsically

'''mûsically

'''illêgally

'''víscerally

'''incidéntally

'''tôtally

mostly female Bíllie = either '''Bílly

two l’s pronounced '''shrílly

'''sílly

minimal pair: vólley rhymes with '''fólly

two l’s pronounced '''whôlly

two l’s pronounced '''coôlly

two l’s pronounced '''dúlly

'''fùlly

'''replŷ

'''ëarly

'''dêarly

'''nêarly

'''pëarly

'''cléverly

'''fãirly

'''bürly

'''vígorously

AmE evidéntly BrE évidently

'''áptly

'''trûly

'''Âmy

'''astrónomy

gá- '''gastrónomy

'''autónomy

cf. epítomê - '''hysteréctomy

.*énny '''any

.*ménny '''many

'''zâny

'''prógeny

'''shîny

'''Plíny

cf. tin tínny - small '''tîny

'''whîny

Jénnie = '''Jénny

'''Kénny

Lénnie = '''Lénny

Pénny = '''pénny

Jóhnnie = '''Jóhnny

'''Dónny

'''fúnny

'''súnny

BrE o as schwa, AmE -'''môny

BrE *hígémony (hard g), AmE *héjəmôny '''hegemony

'''îrony

'''pôny

'''Tôny

'''misógyny

'''bŏy

'''jŏy

'''tŏy

'''álloy

'''annŏy

'''háppy

AmE, when stressed syllable does not come immediately before it, -ãry or -éry, cf. -ery; BrE a as AmE or as schwa or silent; see also -ory - -'''ary '''Cãry

'''Gáry

-shəry '''judíciary

'''vocábulary

'''canãry

'''gránary

'''díctionary

lîbrary

nécessary

líterary

suppleméntary

documéntary

Jánuary

Fébruary

vãry

wãry

crŷ

gímmickry rhymes with '''mímicry

drŷ

tåwdry

mostly e as schwa: can sound like -ry in BrE -ery

físhery

fîery

bâkery

coòkery

sh- chicânery

paper stâtionary = stop stâtionery

conféctionery

míz- '''mísery

cürsory rhymes with '''nürsery

'''cémetery

'''quêry

'''véry

'''brâvery

'''recòvery

'''discòvery

'''quêry

'''frŷ

'''bélfry

'''ángry

'''húngry

mímicry rhymes with '''gímmickry

'''gŏry

'''glŏry

compúlsory

nürsery rhymes with cürsory

Tŏry

usually pronounced -trỳ in BrE -tory

oblígatory

óratory

AmE láboratŏry, BrE labóratory

satisfáctory

réctory

diréctory

trajéctory

dŏrmitory

stŏry

hístory

prŷ

Bárry

person Cárrie = fetch cárry

Hárry

márry

earth burỳ = fruit bérry

as suffix, AmE -bérry, BrE -brêe bláckberry

blûeberry

AmE rázb-, BrE ràzb- rāspberry

stråwberry

lórry

sórry

AmE wörry, BrE '''wòrry

'''cúrry

'''fürry

'''húrry

'''trŷ

'''påltry

'''pléasantry

'''péasantry

'''bígotry

'''áncestry

'''sóphistry

ké- '''chémistry

fruit bérrỳ = earth '''bury

'''Dûry

'''Drûry

'''lúxury

mostly = -cỳ -'''sỳ

-zêe '''êasy

-sêe '''grêasy

-zêe '''quêasy

like demócracy, thêócracy all -ssy '''idiosýncrasy

-sêe '''écstasy

-zêe '''chêesy

cf. noun próphecỳ -sêe - verb '''próphesŷ

-sêe héresy

demócracy and thêócracy rhyme with '''hypócrisy

'''léprosy

-sêe '''émbassy

-sêe '''fússy

dízzy rhymes with *bízzy '''busy

-sêe '''jéalousy

-zêe Sûzy = Sûsie = Sûzie = '''Sûsy

entîrety

cíty

felícity

stupídity

reálity

cf. spécialty - speciálity

mentálity

facílity

relîabílity

flexibílity

celébrity

iníquity

antíquity

fêalty

cf. speciálity - spécialty

lŏyalty

rŏyalty

crûelty

silent h - hónesty

thïrsty

Kïrsty

goodbye, cricket bŷe = preposition bŷ = money buŷ

nâvy

wâvy

bévy

cf. lévêe, Lêvî - Lêvy

îvy

prívy

'''ánchovy

'''scürvy

'''sávvy

'''cívvy

'''skívvy

deŵy

wáxy

fóxy

slêazy

dâzy

hâzy

lâzy

crâzy

whêezy

dízzy

Z
bíz

whízz or whíz

quíz

Óz

jázz

razzmatázz

pizzázz

fízz

búzz

fúzz

zzzz

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

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

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

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

Example sentences
Words without accents have the schwa sound, a neutral grunt.

The usual short sound:

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

The usual long sound:

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

The third sound:

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

The ‘ër’ sound:

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

The ‘ŏr’ sound (sůre here is with British pronunciation = Shåw):

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

Irregular, with respelling:

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