English spellings

English is famous, even notorious, for its varied spellings. This is a selection of commonly misspelt and/or mispronounced words, alongside regular ones for contrast. For example, *disāsterous is a common misspelling of disāstrous, with the e echoing that of disāster (the asterisk indicates an incorrect spelling, the accents stress and pronunciation: see English phonemes; where there is more than one accent, the first is stressed).

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. All three can be found here. In this alphabetical list, the most common word is placed first in the entry.

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.

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

An asterisk is placed before incorrect respellings, thus: *thuss. 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.

Alphabetical list

A

 letter = èh? what? (names of letters are usually written as capitals in text)

a article *ə: schwa. It can be a strong form â, like the name of the letter Â, but this can sound pompous, especially in private; it can however be used for emphasis, as a synonym for ône, as for example of a tennis player trailing 4-6 2-0: At lêast hê lêads ín â sét.

àaah sentiment ≈ àaargh disgust more a´s may be added, ≈ àh response

àardvark

Ãaron - also Ãron or Áron and now some say Áaron = Árran Isle

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

abándoned - not -nned

Abbàs

ábdomen

abdóminal

Aberdêen

Aberýstwýth

aberrâtion

abét

abhŏr

abhórrent

âble capable = Âbel person

abòut *əbòut

ábscess

ábsèil cf. sâil

ábsence

abstâin

absténtion

ábstinence

abýsmal -zməl

abýss

ácadême

acádemy

académic

accélerate ax-, cf. excél, éxcellent

áccent áx-

accéntuate -x-

accépt receive cf. excépt exception

áccess *áxéss, cf. áxis, áxês

áccident áx-

accidéntally áx-

áccolade

accómmodate - two c’s and two m’s

accòmpany

accòmplíce person

accòmplísh achieve

Accrà

accrûe cf. acróss

acërbic

âche *âke

achìêve

ácmê

acquiésce *aquìéss, cf. quiéscent *kwìéssent, quîet *kwîət

acquîre *aquîre

acquít

âcreage *âkerage

acróss cf. accrûe

áctual *ákchəl

ácûmen cf. áccurate

ácupuncture

ádage

adàgio -jô

ádd more = ád advertisement

Áddis Ábaba

ádditive

addíctive

addréss BrE = a dréss; AmE áddress

adhêre (d and h pronounced separately)

adhêsive (d and h pronounced separately)

ád hóc

ádjective cf. ejécted

adjöurn

adjúst *ajúst

ád nåusêám

adôbê

adrénalín can be -íne

advānce

ádvent

advénture

ádversary -vəsrỳ or advërsary

ádvërt

ádvertise never -îze

advërtísement BrE; AmE ádvertîsement

advîce noun -ss

advîse verb pronounced but never spelt -îze

advîser = advîsor (alternatives)

Aêgêan *Êjêən

ãerial air = Ãriel person

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

ãeroplane BrE; AmE ãirplane

Aêschylus BrE; AmE Êschylus *Êeskiləss

aêsthétics AmE ê-

afféct alter cf. efféct result í-

áffect emotion

afféctive emotional cf. efféctive resultant

áffidâvit

affrònt cf. effròntery

Afghánistān - either stressed

aficionàdo

afrâid

África

Afrikàans -ànce

Afrikàner

āfter

āfterwards

again é, but AmE and some BrE, regular: agâin

against é, but AmE and some BrE, regular: agâinst

agâpe gaping

ágapê eros

âge cf. édge: Francophones beware

âgeing *âging, *âjing

âgeist

agô

ágriculture

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

Âids or ÂIDS disease = âids, âides plurals ãir breathe = Ãyr Scotland = ére before = é’er ever = héir estate

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

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

aîsle church = îsle island

Ajáccio *Azháxio

Àjax Amsterdam *Àyáx

Âjax person

Ál person cf. åll total

Alabáma - one m, cf. Montána, Louisiána

Álan = Àllen = Àllan

alás

Ålbany cf. Álbânia

Álbert

Albuquërquê *Albəkïrky

Åldwých

Álfred

álgaê *áljê or *álgy

álgorithm rhymes with rhýthm

Áli person = álley walk - except Muhámmad Àlì boxer

âlias *âlius

Álíce

alîgn = a lîne, cf. állŷ

Álistair = Álastair

âlias

álibî

âlien

alienâtion

alîgned *allîned, cf. állied

alîve

åll every = åwl tool, cf. Ál person

Alládin

allegâtions *allogations

allége cf. lédge, etc.

alléged *aléjd

allégedly *aléjidly

allelûia or allelûja or allelûya

állêy path = Áli person, cf. állŷ

álligâtor

allót assign = a lót much

åll-òut total before noun needs hyphen

allòwed permitted = alòud heard

álloy

állŷ friend cf. állêy, alîgn

állŷ noun

allŷ verb, cf. Álì person

ålmanac

ålmost

àlms gift = BrE àrms body, weapons

alóngside one word

alòud audible = allòwed allow

alréady before = åll réady ready

alrîght = åll rîght - same meaning, probably by analogy with alréady

Alsâtian

ålso

ålter change = åltar church

altërnate adjective

ålternâte verb

altërnative

althôugh *åldhô

alumínium BrE; AmE alûminum

alvêolar

ålways

ám be

âm ante meridian *â-ém

ámateur *ámətə; AmE can be amateûr

ambássador cf. émbassy

ámbergrìs BrE; AmE ámbergrís - s pronounced

ambítious *ámbíshəss

amén BrE à, AmE â

aménd cf. comménd

aménds make = eménds alters

âmìable cf. âim

ámícable

amòng

amòunt

an *ən: version of a before a consonant

anáchronism -nákr-

ánalŷse

análysês plural *ənáləssêez

análysis singular *ənáləssís

ánalýst

ánarchy *ánəkỳ

áncestor

ánchor -nk-

ánchovy -ntsh-

âncient

and *ənd, sometimes ánd for emphasis = &

andántè

Ándês

Andêan

Andórra AmE -ŏrr-, cf. Pandŏra

Ándreŵ

anémonê cf. an énemy

ângel *ânjəl, cf. ángle

ánger BrE *áng-gə

ángry *áng-gry

ángst

ánimus cf. ûnánimous

Ánkara

ánnals cf. ánalyst

annéx verb

ánnex or ánnexe noun

annîhilate *annîyílâte

anómaly

ánonýmity

anónymous anòther one word

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

Antàrctica first c can be silent

ántê- before = ántì-

Ánthony (usual) = Ántony Mark, -tə-

ántì- against = ántê-; AmE ántî-

ántidote

Antìgua -gə

antirrhînum *antirŷnum

antisémitism

anxîety *angzîety

ánxious *ánkshəss

any thing é-, cf. Ánnie person

anybody *énnybódy, one word

any mŏre two words

anyone *énnywún, one word

anyway despite one word, cf. where wây is a noun: any wây yoû loòk at ít

apâce fast = a pâce step

apàrtheîd -tîte

apéritìf - either stressed

aphêlion *áfêlian

apìêce each one word = a pìêce part

apócalypse

apólogîse verb

apólogíes plural noun

apóstasy

apóstrophê

appål - AmE can be appåll

appålling

apparátchik

ápparâtus BrE - either stressed (to children apparatus can sound plural, ‘apperators’); AmE apparátus

appárel

appárent

appêar

appêasement

appêaser

applåuse

approval -prû-

approve -prû-

âpricot

à priŏrî two words

àpriŏrísm one word

apropôs *ápropô

Aquãrius

Árab adjective, person

Arâbian adjective

Árabic language

àrc circle = Àrk Noah

archâíc *àrkâyíc

archeólogy àrk-

archipélago àrk-

àrchive *àrkîve

ãrêa space *ãrêə, cf. ària, êra

Argentìna Àrj-

àrgil clay - soft g

Argŷll Scotland = Argŷle Plymouth - hard g

àrgue

àrgument

ària opera cf. ãrea

árid

Ãries -ríz

árístocrat BrE á stressed, AmE í stressed

aristocrátic

Àrkansas BrE -såw, AmE -sà

arrést

arrhythmic

àrsenal *àrssnəl

arrhýthmic

àrtefact

artêsian well *àrtêzhən

artifícial -shəl

artisán art *àrtizán

àrtist art

artìste stage

ascént climb = assént agree

ascertâin

ÁSEAN or Ásean association *ássián, cf. Âsian Asia, *Âzhan

Âsia *Âsha or *Âzha

askānce

as oppôsed to ázəpôzt- ásphalt

áspirin -spr-, cf. aspîring

assássin four s’s

assént agree = ascént climb

ássét

assûme -syûme

assûre AmE -shûre, BrE –shůre

ásterisk

Ásterix

ásthma *ássma

asúnder

asŷlum

âte AmE; BrE *ét

âthêíst cf. aesthétic

atrôcious -shəss

atrócity

áttaboy one word

attáchè -áshè

attörney

Åuckland

auctionêer åuk-

augúst revered

Åugust month

āunt uncle AmE = ánt insect

au fâit *ô-fây

au fónd *ô-fón, French nasal -ón

au pãir ôp-

åural ear = ŏral voice

åuspices

Aussie Australasian = Óssy = Óssie persons

Austen Jane = Austin car, Texas Ó-

Austrâlia Ó-

Austria Ó-

åutarchy sovereignty = åutarky self-sufficiency

authóritative

authórity

àùtobàhn

åutomobìle

åutumn silent n, -m

autúmnal not silent n

ávalānche

ávant gàrde (gàrde = guàrd)

avocàdo

avoirdupŏis *ávədə-pŏiz

åwe

awêigh anchors = awây go

åwful

åwkward *åwquəd

åwl tool = åll total

ÂWOL

awrŷ

áxe chop BrE; AmE áx

áxes plural -íz

áxis spin -íss

áxês plural -êz, cf. áccess

áxle car = Áxel person

Áxminster

aŷe yes = eŷe see = Î me

Ãyr Scotland = ãir breathe

Ãyrshire

ázure -zh-

B

B = bê is, bêe insect

bàa sheep BrE = bàr drink, chocolate, soap

baboôn

Bàch music = bách Welsh

báchelor unmarried = Bátchelor person

báckbiting one word

báckhand tennis

back-hánded ambiguous

bácklash one word

backyàrd one word

bád evil = báde asked

Baghdád AmE Bághdad Bágd-

bâil law, cricket = bâle hay, parachute

bâilie magistrate = Bâiley person

bâit hook = bâte fury, restrain

bâize cloth = bâys bay

Bàli island = BrE bàrley beer

Bålkans cf. bálcony

båll game = båwl shout

ballerìna cf. pizzerìa

bállèt *bállây, cf. bállot

bàlm -àm

bàlmy sea = BrE bàrmy daft

Båltimore

báluster cf. bánister

banàl BrE; AmE bânal

banálity

banāna

bánd music = bánned ban

bándwagon one word

Bangkók cf. Háncóck - both -ngk-

bánish

Bàrbara

barbãrian

barbáric

bàrbecûe *bàrbeqûe

barcarólle or -óle

bàrd poet, bacon = bàrred bar

bãre naked = béãr animal, tolerate

bãrely

bàrgaín *bàrgin

bàrley

bàr mítzvah

bàrnacle

báron nobleman = bárren bare = Bárron person

baróque *bərók

bárrage -àzh BrE, AmE *bəràzh

bárrier

bàrtender

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

bâses base -ssíz = bâsses music

bâsês basis -ssêez bâsic -ss-

bâsin -ss-

bâsis -ssíss

bāsk sun = Bāsque people

bāsketball one word

báss fish = Báss person

bâss treble = bâse basic

bassoôn -ssoô-

bâste pour, sew = bâsed base

batállion cf. báttle

bâte anger, breath = bâit lure

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

bátón - one t, cf. Pátton, Hátton etc.

báttlefield one word

Báx person = bácks back

bazàar *bəzàr, cf. bizàrre, í

Bà’ath party BrE = bāth water

bê is = bêe insect

bêach sand = bêech tree

bêad string = Bêde person

bêan eat = bêen was

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

bêat win, hit, rhythm = bêet sugar

bêater beat BrE = bêta Greek

bêátify saint cf. Sêáttle and beaûtify beauty

Bêatríce, Bêatrix a as schwa: Bêə-

beau boyfriend = Bô Diddley

beaûty *byûty

because ó Béchèt *Béshây bêe insect = bê is bêetle insect = Bêatle Beatles, cf. bêat rhythm bêech tree = beâch sand bêen was = bêan eat bêer drink = bìêr coffin bêet sugar = bêat hit Bèethôven *Bâitovən behêmoth Bèijíng - j not zh sound bêíng cf. Bíng Beirût *Bây-roôt Belarûs - one would expect this post-Soviet word (once literally rendered as ‘White Russia’) to regularise to ‘Bélarus’, with the u as schwa, but this hasn’t happened; the most common alternative is still Belarùs Bélfāst Bélgium *Béljəm belîe cf. relŷ, belŷing, lîe belìêve béllicôse bellígerent -j- béllow shout, bellows cf. belôw under Bénaud *Bénnô bénefit benévolent bérèt *bérrây bërk insult = Bürke person Bërkelêy California cf. Bàrclaỳ person = BrE Berkeley person Bërkshîre AmE; BrE *Bàkshə, as with bàrk dog, tree Bàrking town Berlín bérry fruit = bury ground bërth ship = bïrth born bêta AmE bèta Bétjeman *Bétcheman bewíldered BrE *biwíldəd, AmE *bêwíldərd

bezìque *bəzêek

Bhùtto (the BBC has taken to saying *Boôto)

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

bîas

bîased *bŷəst

bìdet *bêedây

bìêr corpse = bêer drink

bîght curve = bîte eat = bŷte computer

bígot

Bíllie female = Bílly male = bílly goat

bîô-

biógraphy biólogy Bïrmingham *Bïrmingəm, g not sounded separately bïrthplace one word bíscuit *bísket, cf. bāsket bîson cf. bâsin bîte food = bŷte computer = bîght loop bizàrre *bízàr, cf. bazàar *bəzàr bláckmail blānch white = Blānche person blancmange *blamónzh blãre noise = Blãir person bléssed *blést; but mostly as attributive adj: a *bléssíd thíng bleŵ blow = blûe colour blóc grouping = blóck prevent, wood, building blónd male person, male and female adjective = blónde female person blòodstained one word blòodthirsty one word blürred cf. cûred bŏar animal = bŏor rude = bŏre boring, carried bŏard wooden, directors = bŏred boring, cf. brŏad wide bôast bôat Boàteng Bwà- Bôeing person = bôwing music Boer *Bùer bôgey golf, ghost = bôgie trolley, truck = Bôgey Bogart bôld brave = bôwled bowl

Bóllywood bôlt metal = Bôlt = Bôult persons Bólton city, person = Bôulton person bómb *bóm Bombây bómbing *bómming bôna fîdê bonhomìê *bónə-mêe boôgie-woôgie boòkkeeper one word: extended k sound as if two boôst boôze drink = boôs boo Bŏrdeaux *Bŏrdô, cf. Bardôt, *Bardô bŏred boring = bŏard wooden, directors bŏredom *bŏrdum Bŏrgia *Bŏrjə bŏrn birth = bŏrne wind = bŏurn stream bòrough town BrE -rə, AmE = búrrow earth bosom *bùzəm bôth boûgainvillea *bûgənvília bòugh tree = bòw low, ship bôulder rock = bôlder bold Boulogne *Bəlŏin böurbon bŏurgeois bŏrzhwà bourgeoisìê bŏrzhwà-zêe bŏurne stream = bŏrn birth = bŏrne carried Bŏurnemouth *Bŏrnməth bòw low, ship = bòugh tree bôw knot bòwel bòwer tree = bàuer euchre bôwl all meanings bóxing sport = Bóxing Day búffalo animal = Búffalo America

brâin head cf. Brîan person brâinwash one word Brasília - s Brazíl - z bréad food = bréd breed breâk smash, interval = brâke car breâkaway adjective cf. breâk awây verb breâkdown noun cf. breâk dòwn verb breâkthroûgh noun *brâkethrû; cf. breâk throûgh verb bréakfast bréath noun unvoiced th, brêathe verb voiced th, cf. mòuth, same noun-verb distinction in pronunciation, but invariable spelling bréathtaking one word bréd breed = bréad food brêed animal cf. bréad food bréthren -dhrən Brîan = Brŷan cf. brâin, O’Brîen brìêf brîght -ît Brísbane *Brízbən Brítain country -tən; = Bríton citizen, Brítten, Brítton, Bríttain persons Bríttany France ≈ Brítney person brôach subject = broôch wear brŏad cf. bŏard bróccolì *bróckəlêy Brómwich *Brómmidge Bróntê brôoch pin BrE = brôach speak; AmE broôch broôm sweep = brûme mist bróthel unvoiced th bròther voiced th Bròúgh *Brúff broûgham carriage = broôm sweep - or gha as schwa, broôəm broûhàhà Brûges = Brûgge *Brûzh

brûise contusion *brûze = breŵs beer

Bruneî

Brunél

Brússels

Bucharést Bùka-

Budapést Bùda-

Bùddha -ùdə

Bùddhist -ùdi-

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

bùffèt eat *bùffây

búffet hit, t sounded

buffoôn -ffoô-

buíld *bíld

buílding *bílding

Bulgãria

bùll

bùlletin búllshit one word buŏy sea = bŏy child buŏyant *bŏyant bürden load = Bürdon person bûreau *byûrô, plural bûreaux, *bûrôz bureaucracy *byûrócracy, *beaûrócracy bürger hamburger = bürgher business = Bërger person bürgeoning bürn fire = Bÿrne name bürqa búrrow ground = AmE bòrôugh town cf. Búrrôughs person bury ground = bérry tree, Bury town

bús transport = búss kiss

búsed driven or bússed = búst bosom, broke búses plural, verb *bússes búsing -ss- bùsh

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

businessman one word, bíz-

bússed driven or búsed = búst bosom, broken

busy bíz-

busybódy bíz-; one word

busy-ness busy cf. business matter - both í

bútt head, joke, buttocks = bút however

bútterfly

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

bŷe-bye!

bŷ-election

bŷ-product

Bÿrd person = bïrd fly

bŷte computer = bîte food = bîght loop

Bŷzántîne or Býzantîne

C

C = sêe look

cabál cf. câble

cáche arms = cásh money

càdre *càder; AmE càdrê

cáddie golf = cáddy tea

cáfè (can be written as café)

cáfè au lâit (can be written as café au lait) *cáfâyô-lây

cáffêine

Caîro

Caìus Cambridge = kêys lock; otherwise regularly Caîus, rhyming with Gaîus

Calcútta

cálendar not spelt -er, cf. còlander

Cálgary *Cálgəri

Califŏrnia -nyə

callígraphy -ll-

cállous uncaring = cállus skin ≈ Cállas Maria (or Cállás)

càlm -àm, BrE and AmE

Câmbridge

camêllia or caméllia cf. chamaêleon *camêliən

cameráderie

cámouflàge -àzh

campâign *campâin, cf. champâgne *shám-pâin, and words in -èign, all of which rhyme

Cámpbell *Cámble, rhyming with gámble

cán able, tin = Cánnes France

Cânaan *Câynən - aa as schwa

Cánada

Canâdian

canál

cánapè

canãry

canásta

Cánberra -bərə, BrE *Cánborough

cáncer illness = Cáncer constellation

cándidate BrE -ət, AmE -âte

câne stick, sugar = Câin Abel

cánister - one n

cánnabis

cánnibal cf. Hánnibal

cannót - or cánnot for emphasis, but always one word when nót is modifying cán, cf. ít cán nót ônly…but ålsô…

canoe -noô

cánon church, œuvre, music = cánnon war

cánt cliche = Kánt philosopher, AmE cán’t impossible

cantàta

cánvas paint, tent = cánvass election

cányon cf. ònion, both -yən

câpable

Câpe Tòwn - two words, *Câpetown

capíllary AmE cápillãry

cápital city = Cápitol Washington

capítulate

Cápricorn

càr vehicle = Càrr = Kàrr persons

càr-lôad noun

cárat gold = cárrot food

càrcass body cf. Carácas

cãre

cãrefree one word

carêer profession, speed BrE = Korêa country, cf. cárrier carry

cãrer

Cáríbbêan *Cárri-bêeən (some say Cəríbbêən)

cáricature cf. cháracter, both k-

Carlîsle city, person = Carlŷle person

Carnêgìê hard g

caròusal carouse *cəròuzəl

carousél round *carəssél

cárry bring = Cárrie person

càrt horse = kàrt race

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cartél càrton cartoôn cf. Khartoûm, m only different sound cásh money = cáche weapons cáshmêre wool = Kashmìr Asia cassàva cāst drama, throw, eye = cāste India Castílian cf. Castìlle cāstle -ssl cásual cf. cåusal cásualty Cátalan Catalônia - ‘Catalunya’ is Catalan catàrrh *catàr, cf. Qátàr catástrophê catastróphic cátchphrase one word Câte - although Kâte is the traditional abbreviation of Cátherine, Kátharine, etc. câter cáterpillar cáttle cows cf. kéttle boil cåucus rhymes with råucous cåught catch BrE = cŏurt tennis cauliflòur *cóllyflower cåuse reason -z = BrE Cŏrrs persons, cf. cŏurse -ss, cf. because *bicóz, ’cós because *cóz cause celébre cause célèbre *côz-celébrə cavalìêr cávêát cêase stop *sêess, cf. sêize hold cêasefîre cêde yield = sêed plant cèilidh *kâlêy cêiling floor = sêaling shutting centrífugal s- célebrâte celébrity célibate céll prison, biology = séll money céllar wine = séller sales céllo ch- Céltic or céltic civilisation K-, cf. Céltic, S- football club cémetery *sémətry, not -ary cénsor censorship = sénsor feel ≈ cénsure blame cént money = sént send = scént perfume céntral s- céntre s-, AmE cénter centrífugal centrípetal céntrist s- cêreal cornflakes = sêrial series cérebral s-; AmE cerêbral Ceres planet *Sírêez, cf. Sírius star, seríes string céremony s- cërvical s- or cervîcal cesãrian cf. Caêsar, both s- césspit one word césspool one word ch- mostly tch-; ch- where stated chà tea - or chàr as other meanings chà chà Chádian *Cháddian chãir sit = Chér person chaise lóngue *shézz-lóng chágrin sh-; AmE *shəgrìn chamaêleon k-; AmE -mêl-, cf. camêlia, only ending sounds different châmber tsh-, cf. Châmbers person chámois *shámwà champâgne *shámpâin, cf. campâign *cámpâin (no capital c for the drink) chandelìêr sh- Chandrasèkhar chánnel rhymes with pánel châós *kâyóss chápel church = Cháppell person cháperône sh- chárabanc *shárabang, cf. shebáng charàde sh-; AmE charâde cháracter k charivàri sh- chàrlatan sh- Chàrlotte Sh- chásm *kázzəm chássis *shássy châste virgin = châsed chase Chátham -təm chauffëur *shôfër chauvinist shô- chêap cost = chêep bird both tsh- chêapskâte one word chêat tsh- Chéchnya Tsh- chéckpoint one word chêetah tsh- chéf sh-, cf. chìêf, ch sound chéque money tsh-; BrE = chéck verify, Czéch nationality Cherokêe Tsh- chérry-píck tsh- chévron sh- cheŵ tsh-; cf. words beginning tû- chèz *shây chìc sh- Chicàgo Shí-, à in both BrE and AmE chíck chìêf tsh-, cf. chéf, sh- chihuàhua *tshiwàwa chîld singular tsh- chîldbïrth one word chíldren plural tsh- Chílê country tsh-, = chílì or chíllì bean = chílly cold Chílêan Tsh- chimêra kí- chímney tsh- chívalry sh- chívy or chívvy tsh- chlamýdia kl- Chlôê *Klôwie chlóroform kl- chóc chocolate tsh- = chóck wedge chóck-a-blóck choîr singers = quîre paper choléstorol k- choôse select = cheŵs chew chŏrd music = cŏrd rope, vocal chŏrus k- Chrîst Kr- chrísten *kríssen Chrístian *Kríshtchən, or *Krístchen cf. crýstal Chrístmas *Kríssməss Chrístopher *Krístəfə chrôme kr- chrónic kr- chrysánthemum kríz- chûte fall sh-; = shoôt gun chútzpah *hùtspə, cf. Hótspur ci- s- Cícely person = Sícily Italy cîder cigàr cínema cínnamon cïrcle cïrcuit *sërkit circûítous s- cïrcumcîse sër- circumcísion s-; -zhən cïrcumstance s- císsy weak = Císsy person = síssy weak cîte quote = sîght see = sîte place Cítroen ™ car = cítron lemon cíty s- cívil s- civílian s-; one l clándestîne; some say clandéstíne Clãir = Clãire = Clãre clámour - AmE clámor clánger normal ng sound, rhyming with hánger, cf. ánger, áng-ger, dânger, -njer Clápham London = cláp ’em clap them cláptrap one word clāssroom one word clåuse words = clåws claw = Clåus Santa claustrophôbia clós- clêan cléanliness cléanse -nz clërgy cléric clërk AmE; BrE = Clàrk = Clàrke persons clìchè *clêeshây clîmb up = clîme weather clìque *clêek, cf. clíck clóckwörk one word clôse shut = clôze test clôse near, cul-de-sac *clôce clóth unvoiced th clôthe voiced th clôthes voiced th côach transport, trainer côalésce cŏarse rough = cŏurse sport, eduation côal mine = Côle person côalman coal = Côleman person cŏarse crude = cŏurse route, study côast cf. cóst côastguard one word côax cóbra or côbra cóchineal Côckburn = Côburn persons cóck-up côconut or côcoanut cocoôn côdêine côdicil coêlacanth sêel-, AmE cêlacanth coërce CofÊ Church of England *sêeyəvêe cóffee *cóffy cógnac *cónyák Côhen *Côwen, rhymes with Ôwen côíncidence no hyphen côhêre còlander cf. cálendar Côle person = côal burn Cólin collápse Cóllins collóssal collûde Colôgne Germany = colôgne perfume *kəlôan Colòmbia country = Colúmbia British, company; or ó Colòmbo côlon cölonel army = BrE kërnel nut colônial colonnâde cólonise cólony Coloràdo in both BrE and AmE colorâtion or colourâtion cú- cóloratùra còlour tint cf. cóllar neck cólumn *cóllum cólumnist *cólumist - though some pronounce the n côma cf. cómma cômb hair -m, cf. còme here cómbat cómbatant or combátant cómedy còmeúppance ó; one word còmfortable -ft- cómfortably-óff cómma punctuate, cf. côma unconscious cómment commërcial commít commíttee commûnal cómmune noun commûne verb cómmunism commûnity còmpany compãre contrast cf. cómpére compère host cómparable or compárable compárative compárison compàrtment cómpensâte compensâtion cómpére - compère show, cf. compãre contrast complâint complain cómplement together = cómpliment praise cómplex AmE compléx compléxion not -ct- complîant comply cómpromîse pronounced but never written -ize, cf. prómise *prómíss cómrâde AmE cómráde, cf. Cónrád concêde concentrâte cf. consént cóncrete concatenâtion - e, not i concentrâte cf. consént cóncept concéptual concërtô *cənshërto, *cənshérto concörd Cóncord condîgn -dîne cóndom cóndŏr condûcíve cóndûít or -dwít - BrE was *cóndit or *cúndit, but now regularised conféss conféssion -féshən cónfidant person -dónt cónfident adjective -dənt Confûcian -shən confûsion -zhən cónger hard g cóngeries soft g connéct Connécticut *Cənétikət connéction BrE can be connéxion connîve connoissëur - -oi- as schwa: *connəssür cónquer win = cónker nut cónquest cf. quést cónscious consénsus cf. cénsus consént cf. concentrâte consërvative conservâtion consigliérê *consíl-yãry cónsôle noun consôle comfort consólidate cónsŏrt noun cf. cóncert, e as schwa consŏrt verb conspírator conspîre constábulary constítuency consûme -syû- contémptible cóntext contéxtual contínûùm -nyû- cóntrary opposed contrãry awkward cóntribûte or contríbûte contribûtion contríbutor contrôl contradíct contríbute cóntribûtion cóntrovërsy or contróversy - controvërsial? coòk kitchen = Coòk = Coòke persons Coômbs = Coômbes *Coûmz cooperâtion côwóp-, cf. cŏrporation coóperative côwóp- Copenhâgen Cô-; or -hàgen cóp-òut cóps police = cópse wood cópyrîght *cópywrîte: it’s a rîght about writing córal cŏr ànglâis *cŏ-rónglây cŏrd vocal, string = chŏrd music cŏrdon cŏre apple = cŏrps army cŏrnerstône one word corôna córonary córoner cŏrps army = cŏre apple, cf. following cŏrpse corràl córrugate AmE cörrugate cóst cf. côast Cósta Rìca cóttage -íj còuch còuchant couchétte cûsh- cóugh *cóff còuncil committee = còunsel advice còuncillor còunt còunty cf. coúntry còunterfeít còunter-productive hyphenated coúntry cf. còunty, còunt, which begin with the còw sound coûp d’état = coô bird coúple coúrage - AmE can be cöurage courâgeous cŏurse route, study = cŏarse crude, -ss, cf. cåuse, -z, cürse, -s cŏurt tennis, monarch, woo - BrE = cåught catch cöurteous cöurtesy politeness cf. cürtsey bow coúsin *cúzzen còver côvert cf. ovërt còvet -ít còws animals = Còwes Isle of Wight; cf. kowtòw Coŵper = Coôper, or Còwper cŏyôtê AmE *kîôat cráckpot noun one word crêak noise = crêek water crêam crêâte crêâtion -êâshən crêature -ch- créche *crésh, cf. crásh crêdence credéntials crédibílity crêed crêek water = crêak noise créme crème créme de menthe - crème de menthe *crémdə-mónt Crêôle crêosote crèpe crèpe crescéndos -sh- créscent *crézzənt crévíce crevásse creŵ ship = Creŵe town creŵ-cut Crîchton *Crŷtən crîme Crîmêa -êə Crôát *Crôwát Croâtia *Crôwâshə cróc crocodile = cróck pot, old crôchet knit *crôshây, cf. crótchet crócodîle croissant *kwússón, French nasal -ón crône crôny cróss-examinâtion cròtch genitals = crútch support crótchet irritable, music regular pronunciation, cf. crôchèt *crôshây crûcible crûcifíxion crûise -ûz crúx crýpt crýstal - t sounded, cf. whístle, grístle, silent t cùckoô cûe snooker, theatre = queûe line cuisìne *quizêen, cf. cóusin *cúzzən cúl-de-sác cúlprit cúm with = còme here cúpboard rhymes with Húbbard curaçào *curassòw cûrate person curâte museum cürb stop, street = kërb street cûre-åll noun, adjective cûrious cúrrant eat = cúrrent now, flow currículum vìtaê cürse cf. cŏurse cürt blunt = Kürt person cürtsey bow cf. cöurtesy politeness cùshion cf. percússion, both -shən cústard cústody BrE *cústardy cút-prîce cy- s- cýclamen s- cŷcle s- cýclical s- cŷclist s- cýgnet swan = sígnet ring cýlinder cýmbal drums = sýmbol sign cŷpher or cîpher, cf. decîpher cŷpress tree = Cŷprus country s- cýst s- cýnic s- cýnicism Czàr or Tsàr *Zàr Czéch nationality = chéck verify = BrE chéque cash D = Dêe person Dail parliament = Dŏyle person dâily daîquíri dãiry milk cf. dîary day Dàlek Dalziél *Dêe-él dám river = dámn hell dámage dânger -jer, cf. clánger, hánger, no j sound Dániel *Dányəl Dânish Dáphnê *Dáffney dãresây is one word in Î dãresay meaning ‘probably’ dàrtbŏard one word dāstardly cf. bāstard dâtabâse AmE dátabâse one word dåughter *dåwter Dâvìês -z AmE; BrE = Dâvis dávit dâys day = dâze dazzle de *də (de lûxe or de lúxe) or dè (dè fácto), not a word in its own right déad cf. dêed déadline one word déadlock one word dêal déalt dêar loved, expensive = dêer animal dëarth debàcle débris débris BrE *débrêe or dâybree; AmE *dəbrêe débt *dét; silent b dèbut début *dâybyû - or dé- dèbuted débuted *dâybyûd - or dé- décade years cf. decâyed decay - though some do rhyme them Decémber dêcent decídûous -yû déckchair one word declássè déclassé *dây-clássây décimate decîpher cf. cŷpher or cîpher Déclan dêed cf. déad dêer animal = dêar friend, expensive dè fácto two words, *dây-fácto defámatory defâme defër cf. díffer déficit définitely defûse problem dê-, -z, cf. diffûse, dí- degénerate dèign condescend = Dâne Denmark deipnósphist déjà vu *dèzhà-vû delây deletêrious Délhi India = déli delicatessen delínêâte delínquent delîght -ît Dêlius cf. Sibèlius delíver

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cöurtesy politeness cf. cürtsey bow coúsin *cúzzen còver côvert cf. ovërt còvet -ít còws animals = Còwes Isle of Wight; cf. kowtòw Coŵper = Coôper, or Còwper cŏyôtê AmE *kîôat cráckpot noun one word crêak noise = crêek water crêam crêâte crêâtion -êâshən crêature -ch- créche *crésh, cf. crásh crêdence credéntials crédibílity crêed crêek water = crêak noise créme crème créme de menthe - crème de menthe *crémdə-mónt Crêôle crêosote crèpe crèpe crescéndos -sh- créscent *crézzənt crévíce crevásse creŵ ship = Creŵe town creŵ-cut Crîchton *Crŷtən crîme Crîmêa -êə Crôát *Crôwát Croâtia *Crôwâshə cróc crocodile = cróck pot, old crôchet knit *crôshây, cf. crótchet crócodîle croissant *kwússón, French nasal -ón crône crôny cróss-examinâtion cròtch genitals = crútch support crótchet irritable, music regular pronunciation, cf. crôchèt *crôshây crûcible crûcifíxion crûise -ûz crúx crýpt crýstal - t sounded, cf. whístle, grístle, silent t cùckoô cûe snooker, theatre = queûe line cuisìne *quizêen, cf. cóusin *cúzzən cúl-de-sác cúlprit cúm with = còme here cúpboard rhymes with Húbbard curaçào *curassòw cûrate person curâte museum cürb stop, street = kërb street cûre-åll noun, adjective cûrious cúrrant eat = cúrrent now, flow currículum vìtaê cürse cf. cŏurse cürt blunt = Kürt person cürtsey bow cf. cöurtesy politeness cùshion cf. percússion, both -shən cústard cústody BrE *cústardy cút-prîce cy- s- cýclamen s- cŷcle s- cýclical s- cŷclist s- cýgnet swan = sígnet ring cýlinder cýmbal drums = sýmbol sign cŷpher or cîpher, cf. decîpher cŷpress tree = Cŷprus country s- cýst s- cýnic s- cýnicism Czàr or Tsàr *Zàr Czéch nationality = chéck verify = BrE chéque cash

D

D = Dêe person Dail parliament = Dŏyle person dâily daîquíri dãiry milk cf. dîary day Dàlek Dalziél *Dêe-él dám river = dámn hell dámage dânger -jer, cf. clánger, hánger, no j sound Dániel *Dányəl Dânish Dáphnê *Dáffney dãresây is one word in Î dãresay meaning ‘probably’ dàrtbŏard one word dāstardly cf. bāstard dâtabâse AmE dátabâse one word dåughter *dåwter Dâvìês -z AmE; BrE = Dâvis dávit dâys day = dâze dazzle de *də (de lûxe or de lúxe) or dè (dè fácto), not a word in its own right déad cf. dêed déadline one word déadlock one word dêal déalt dêar loved, expensive = dêer animal dëarth debàcle débris débris BrE *débrêe or dâybree; AmE *dəbrêe débt *dét; silent b dèbut début *dâybyû - or dé- dèbuted débuted *dâybyûd - or dé- décade years cf. decâyed decay - though some do rhyme them Decémber dêcent decídûous -yû déckchair one word declássè déclassé *dây-clássây décimate decîpher cf. cŷpher or cîpher Déclan dêed cf. déad dêer animal = dêar friend, expensive dè fácto two words, *dây-fácto defámatory defâme defër cf. díffer déficit définitely defûse problem dê-, -z, cf. diffûse, dí- degénerate dèign condescend = Dâne Denmark deipnósphist déjà vu *dèzhà-vû delây deletêrious Délhi India = déli delicatessen delínêâte delínquent delîght -ît Dêlius cf. Sibèlius delíver déluge -yû- delûsion cf. illûsion de lûxe or de lúxe démagogue -góg demānd démo demócracy cf. hypócrisy democrátic demür demûre dénguê fêver dénier weight, coin *dényə, cf. denîer deny Dénis = Dénnis Denìse -êez denŷ depéndant person = depéndent adjective dërby race = Dërby England AmE; BrE = Dàrby person de riguëur *dərigër - hard g desálinate descént down = dissént disagree descrîbe dís- désert sand desërt leave = dessërt meal désiccate - very commonly misspelt: -ss- would be expected after é, cf. párallel despãir désperate cf. dísparate, séparate desperâtion despícable dessërt meal -zërt = desërt leave dessërts just -zërts détail noun detâil verb detër detêriorate detërmíne detérrent detrîtus dévastate devastâtion devélop rhymes with envélop verb, cf. énvelôpe noun devîce -ss, cf. divîde devîse -z, cf. divîde devôte devotêe devòut deŵ morning = dûe owed, cf. do act *dû déxtrous or déxterous diabêtes *dîəbêtêez or -tíz diabétic diaérisis *dî-érisis, AmE diérisis dîálýsis dîamond dîáphanous dîaphragm -ám diarrhoêa BrE *dîre-rêar; AmE diarrhêa dîary cf. dãiry diáspora dictâte cf. díktát dîcy dodgy cf. Dícky, Díckie persons dîe death = dŷe colour dîehard one word dìêsel dîet *dîət díffer cf. defër diffûse various -ss, give out -z dígit díktát cf. dictâte dilémma dilettántê dímwit one word dínghy boat - no g sound, only ng sound díngy dark *dínjy dînosåur dîocese *dîəsíss diphthêria díphthong diplôma díplomat dîre cf. dêar dírham disassôciate - -sass- disarrây disāstrous -zā-, no e, cf. disāster; mürderous, cantánkerous, etc. dísc record, circular = dísk computer discòver discrêet careful = discrête separate discrétion -éshən discriminâtory díscus discúss disequilíbrium disgúst revulsion ≈ discússed talked disingénuous - -uou- Dísney *Díznì dispátch or despátch dispénsable disséction dissént disagree = descént down dissymétric dîssý- dístribûte or distríbûte -yû- divîne cf. Devìne divîsive cf. divîde, dêvious, devîse Djángo Reînhardt - unlike in French do *dû cf. dûe cause, time = deŵ morning *dyû doable *dûwable Dócherty or Dóherty same pronunciation: Celtic ch sound, same as Arabic kh as in Khàn dôcîle AmE *dóssle dòes do *dúz, cf. dôes female deer dóg-êat-dóg dógged verb *dógd: this próblem dógged us dógged attributive adjective *dóggíd: a dógged pursûer dôe animal = dôh music, exclamation dòes *dúz, cf. fãir do’s, *doôz dôle money = Dôle person dóll model dóllar domâin territory = demèsne estate, domâine vineyard dón clothes = Dón person dòne do = dún colour = Dúnn person = Dònne poet dóner kebab = Dónner person dônor give doômsday doom = Domesday Book dŏorstép one word dŏrmant dóssièr silent French r - or e regularised to schwa dotcóm or dot.cóm - but one dot is surely enough doúble rhymes with búbble doûble entendre - -en- as ón, twice dòubt *dòut, cf. dòughty dôugh bake, money = dôe deer dôughnút *dônut dòughty Doúglas *Dúgləss doûr serious, one syllable ≈ doer do, two dòve bird dôve dive - AmE for dîved dòvish dòwnfall one word downhíll one word dòwry dôze dôzed doze dòzen 12 dracônian drāft AmE all meanings, BrE outline, money, group, US conscription = drāught dràgon dràma drāught BrE cold, net, liquids, game, horse = drāft, cf. dròught *dròwt dråw design ≈ dråwer pull dråwback noun one word dreŵ draw = Dreŵ person dríll drîly or drŷly drível drízzle drómedary droôp down = drûpe fruit dròught *dròut, cf. drāught = drāft drúnkenness -nn- Drûze dûal two = dûel fight, cf. jeŵel stone dúchess cf. Dútch dûe owed = deŵ morning, cf. do act *dû dúmb-bell dún colour = Dúnn person = dòne do, cf. dón clothes = Dón person Dúncan rhymes with drúnken Dundêe dûne sand Dúrham *Dúrrəm dûring j- dúst dirt = dòst archaic do dústbin one word duúmvirate ûú dûvèt *doôvây Dvŏrak Dvořák *Dəvåwzhàk dŷe colour = dîe dead dŷeing dye = dŷing dîe dynámic dŷnamísm dŷnamîte dýs- bad = dís- negative dýsentery dysfúnctional dysléxic

E

Ê êar cf. ërr ëarl Ëarl Grây tea cf. colour BrE grèy, AmE grây ëarly ëarn money = ürn bury = ërne eagle ëarnest serious = Ërnest person, cf. Thê Impŏrtance of Bêing Ëarnest ëarth Eâster eâstern east BrE = Êaston person êasy-gôing êaten eat = Êton school êaves roof cf. êve before êavesdróp one word eccéntric exé- échelon ésh- eclãir éclair *í-clãir eclát éclat *è-clá

éctoplasm económical ecónomy ecólogy êcosystem écstasy éxt- ecstátic éxt- Écuador *Équador éczema *éxma éddy pool = Éddie = Éddy persons êdict édit êerie strange as in Lâke Êrie, cf. ãiry light = éyrie - and variant spellings - bird efféct result í- or ə-: when schwa = afféct cause effervésce -véss efficácity effícient -shənt éffort -or- as schwa effròntery cf. affrònt Èid èight 8 = AmE âte eat, BrE *ét eîther neither AmE êither voiced th, cf. êther sky, unvoiced th élbôw eléction eléctoral elegîac Eléktra élement eleméntary elévenses Élgàr - though it seems contemporary pronunciation was *Èlgə éligible cf. illégible elícit obtain = illícit illegal elìte íl- elìtist Elízabeth Queen = Elísabeth Éltham -təm elûsive elude = illûsive illusory élsewhere one word émanate embárrass cf. embrâce émbassy cf. ambássador embézzle émblem embódiment embrâce cf. embárrass embrŏidery eménds alters = aménds make, cf. imménse huge emërge émigrate cf. ímmigrâte émigrè émigré éminence grìse *éminónss-grêez éminent emôtion emphysêma émulate en French = ón English - en occurs in the following expressions taken from French: en attendant *onətóndón, en blóc, en clãir, en fáce, en famìlle *onfamì, en fête *onfét, en másse, en pássant *onpásson, en plein *onplán, en póste, en prìse, en rappŏrt, en roûte, en suìte *onswêet encéphalitis ens- encore ón- énclave encúmber cf. incúmbent endéavour endógenous cf. indíginous endûre cf. ínjure énergy - g as j energétic - g as j enfant terrìble *ónfóntérêebl enfŏrce require = ín fŏrce applicable engâge engagé *ongázhây éngine -jín England Íng-glənd English Íng-glísh ennuì *ón-wê enŏrmous enoúgh *inúff en pássant *ompássom - last syllable nasalised enquîre, enquîry or inquîre, inquîry; AmE ínquiry = enquiry ensemble *onsómble ensûe -syû ensůre certain = insůre insurance; BrE *inshåw, AmE *inshûre énter entîre *íntŷre, cf. MácIntyre etc. entîrety *entîrity entouràge *óntùràzh éntrance enter entrānce beguile entrèe entrée *óntrây entrepôt *óntrəpô entreprenëur ón-; AmE -neûr enúnciate envélop verb énvelôpe noun envîronment - nm environméntalist - nm epicûrêan épitāph êqual eqùality equâte équitable ër hesitation = BrE ërr error êra AmE éra time = BrE érror mistake; cf. ãrea, ària erádicate cf. írrigate ére before = ãir oxygen = héir estate ërne eagle = ëarn money = ürn pot ërr AmE érr cf. êar érror eschêat - s and ch pronounced separately: rhymes with chêat escheŵ - s and ch pronounced separately ÉTA Basque = Étta person ét ál etc. = ét cétera - the pronunciation ‘ixetra’ is frowned upon éthnocéntric one word ethnógraphy êthŷl Êton school = êaten eat = Êton = Êaton persons eû- well = yoû pronoun Eûcharist Yûkə- eûchre *yûker Eûgêne = yoû, Jêan eûlogy eùro currency = Eùro football Eùrope *Yùrəp Europêan euthanâsia -âzìyə eváporate êve before cf. êaves roof êven cf. Évan evént Évelyn usually female Êvelyn usually male éveryday adjective éveryday lîfe; wê gét úp évery dây êvil cf. dévil eŵe sheep = yoû me = yeŵ tree éx lover = éx- past exácerbate exággerate excél éxcellent excépt exception = accépt receive exclâim exécutive cf. éxecute éxercise exhíbit exhibítion exhílarating silent h, cf. hilãrious éxîle éxiting exit cf. excîting excite, both one t exónerâte éxŏrcise or = éxercise expátriate -ət, cf. pâtriot, also ət expêrience expériment expertìse -têez, cf. other words ending in -ise, mostly -îze expôse exposé *expôzây - either stressed extól or extôl éxtra *xtra extrávagant extravagánza extrêmist extraŏrdinary - the first a often is not heard: *extrŏrdinary eŷe see = Î am = aŷe yes eŷesîght one word, *îsîte eŷeẁash one word, *îwósh éyrie bird has variant spellings éyry, ãérie and ãéry = ãiry light; cf. Lâke Êrie = êerie weird

F

F *éff fábulous *fábyələss façàde *fəsàd facêtious *fəsêeshəss fáction *fácshən, cf. fáshion Fáhrenheît fãir justice, pretty, fun- = fãre fãiry cf. férry fait accomplì *fét-əcomplì fåll-òut noun Fålstaff fålcon Fålklands fámily *fámly fámíne fàraway adjective before noun, one word, cf. ít’s toô fàr awây fàrcical fãre travel, food = fãir farewéll Fãroe Islands = phãroah Egypt fàr-rêaching Fàrquhar *Fàrker fàrther further BrE and some AmE = fàther dad fáscist *fáshist, cf. râcist fáshion *fáshən, *fátion, cf. fáction fāst fāsten *fāssən Fátah Palestine = BrE fátter fat fâtal fatálity fáthéad as if two words fátwà fåucet tap = Fåwcett person fåulty fault = Fåwlty Towers fåun goat-god = fåwn fåuna faux *fô faux-pas *fô-pà fåwn grovel, colour, deer = fåun fâvourite -vr-; AmE fâvorite fáx machine = fácts truths Fây = Fâye persons = fèy whimsy fâze confuse = phâse period fêat achievement = fêet foot Fébruary fêed verb cf. féd past, foôd noun fèign pretend = fâin willing fèint sham, write = fâint unconscious feîsty Fêlix fêmur fermént chemical, excite cf. fomént water, disorder férry cf. fãiry *féəry fète garden, celebrate fête = fâte destiny fétid cf. fèted = fâted feûd argument cf. leŵd, foôd fèy whimsy = Fây = Fâye persons feŵ many = pheŵ relief fìat decree = Fìat ® car fìêrce fîery cf. fîre, wîry, feîsty fífth *fíth fíg-lêaf fígurehead *fíggerhéd, one word fîle nail, paper = phîal liquid fílet or fíllet - BrE t sounded, AmE *filây fíll up = Phíl Philip fíllip boost = Phílip person fín fish = Fínn Finland fînal finàlê fîne all meanings fínger *fíng-gər fínish stop = Fínnish Finland fïr tree = für animal fîreworks noun one word físcal finance -ss-, cf. phýsícal body, -zí- físsure break = físher fish, Físher person fláccid *fláxid flagellâtion flãir ability = flãre fire flák cf. bláck flãre fire = flãir ability flåutist flák abuse = Fláck person flåw error = BrE flŏor ground flêa insect = flêe escape Fléming flíck-knife flîer or flŷer flípside one word flôe ice = flôw water flòod flòur bake = flòwer plant floúrish flŏra flôw water = flôe ice, cf. flåw error flòwer plant = flòur bake flû influenza = flûe chimney flûgelhorn flúmmoxed *flúməxt fôcus, fôcused and fôcusing are preferable to fôcussed and fôcussing as they do not remind one of cússed and cússing foêtus AmE fêtus fôlìage has three syllables, cf. cárriage, márriage, each two fomént water, disorder cf. fermént chemical, excite foòt foôd eat cf. feûd quarrel fyoô- foôl foôlscap foòtnôte one word fŏr preposition usually schwa; stressed = fŏur 4, fŏre front fóray AmE = Fåurè Fauré forbád or forbâde forbíd fŏre front = fŏur number fŏrecast fŏrecastle -səl: sailors traditionally say *fôksəl fŏrehéad traditionally *fórrid, cf. hórrid, but now normally spelling pronunciation fóreign *fórrən fórest -íst = Fórrest person = Fórest Nottingham, person fŏrewörd book cf. fŏrward back fŏrmally formal BrE = fŏrmerly before fŏrmer cf. fàrmer fŏrmidable or formídable fŏrtè fŏrth forward = fŏurth four forthcòming one word fŏrtnight *fŏrtnîte fŏrty cf. fŏur, fŏurteen fŏrward forwards cf. rewård prize, fŏrewörd introduction fòul bad = fòwl birds fòund find, establish fŏur number = fŏre front = fŏr preposition fŏyèr *fŏyây frácàs *frácà frâmework one word fránc currency = fránk honest = Fránk person Frānces usually female Frāncís usually male fråught frêak frêe - as a suffix meaning ‘without’ it must be hyphenated: débt-frêe *dét-frêe frêer *frêeər frêest *frêeíst frêeze cold = frìêze wall Frêmantle frêquent adjective frequént verb fréshwåter adjective cf. thére ís nô frésh wåter frîed friénd frìêze wall, cloth = frêeze frîght *frîte frîghtened *frîtənd frólic frònt fròwzy frûit *frûte frŷ FTSE *foòtsìê fûchsia *fyoôsha fùll fundaméntalist für animal = fïr tree fürlôugh *fürlôw fürnace -níss fürnish furŏrê or as AmE fûrŏr fürther

G

G = gêe up gádfly one word Gâelic Irish Gáelic Scottish = Gállic French gáffe cf. gúff gág gâge is an AmE alternative to gâuge gâit walk = gâte garden Galápagos - identical Spanish accent may be written gâle storm = Gâil = Gâle persons = Gâel Gaelic Gålle Sri Lanka = Gåul France gállop horse = Gállup poll gámble money = gámbol frisky gánder Gándhi *Gándy, cf. cándy and gh- words gâol BrE old alternative spelling of, and pronounced, jâil gárage hard g; BrE -àzh, AmE *guəràzh Gáry hard G, cf. Gérry = Jérry; cf. Hárry, Cãry, Gáby gàrdener garden = Gàrdiner = Gàrdner persons gàrgoyle gàrner gather = Gàrner person; BrE = Ghàna country gáses noun = gásses verb gâte open = gâit walk gâuge *gâij, AmE can be gâge; cf. grêengage gåuze gécko gêese hard g: plural of goôse Geîger còunter hard G gèisha hard g gél *jél, cf. jélly Géminî Jé- gêne genetics = Jêan girl = Gêne Eugene; gênes = jêans trousers genealógical jê- géneral *jénral genéric j- gênes genetics = jêans trousers, cf. Jêan person - pronounced *Zhà with nasalised à if French genétics gênìê j- gênìî j- génitâlia j- gênius j- genre *zhónrə gentêel j-, cf. Géntîle géntle j- gênus j- Géoff = Jéff Géoffrey = Jéffrey geográphic jêə- geógraphy jóg- in rapid speech, cf. gêólogy Geŏrge Jŏr- Gërman J- germâne relevant = Germâine, Jermâin, etc. persons gërminate j- Gérry = Jérry cf. Gáry, hard G gétaway adjective and noun one word, cf. verb gét awây gêyser water = BrE gêezer man, AmE geŷser gh- = g- Ghàna Africa = BrE gàrner gather Ghanâian cf. Gándhi ghāstly ghåt or ghåut ghërkin ghétto ghôst gíbbet j- gíbbon hard g Gídêon hard G, *Gídêyən gíg hard g cf. jíg Gílbert hard G gíll fish hard g, as also in McGíll person gíll liquid = Jíll = Gíll = Gíl persons gín *jín giráffe j- glâcial glácier or glâcier glâde Gládys glámorise glámorous glámour glêam glêan Glóucester *Glóster glûtinous glútton Glŷndebŏurne gnàrled *nàrld gnásh teeth = Násh person gnát mosquito = Nát person gnåw chew = BrE nor neither gnócchì *nyócky gnôme garden = Nôme Alaska gô-ahéad noun, adjective hyphenated gôad gôalless - sustained l sound gôat cf. côat góbbledygoòk gŏitre AmE gŏiter gôlf cf. gúlf Gomórrah rhymes with BrE Andórra góner fatal gonna going to two schwas: *gənə goodsélf one word goôgle verb no capital goôgly goòseberry *gùzbry goôse *goôss Gorbachev -chóff gorílla ape = guerílla warfare gŏurmet *gŏrmây gòvern gòvernment first n silent in rapid speech Grâeme *Grâyəm = Grâham most common spelling = Grâhame Kenneth graffìti grámmar grammátical grə- grámophone ‘grammar phone’ has been seen grándad or gránddad - dd can be extended d sound; as name, G- gránddaughter *grándåwter grándchîld grándeûr *grándûre Grànd Prìx *gràm-prì gráphic cf. tráffic grâte cheese, fire, annoy = grêat important grâteful grâve serious, burial gràve accent grâvy grây is AmE for grèy grâze sheep = grèys grey, cf. gràss greât big = grâte cheese, fireplace, irritate grêase oil = Grêece Greek grêen colour = Grêen, Grêene persons Gréenwich *Grénnídge grêet Grêig composer Gréig English = Grég Grenâda cf. Granàda grenâde grèy AmE grây = Grèy = Grây persons grèyhòund one word grìêf gríll food, interrogate = grílle lattice grimâce AmE grímace grísly horrible = grízzly bear grôan pain = grôwn up grŏin body = grŏyne wood gròundswell one word grôwn-úp noun hyphenated grûel gu- followed by vowel, hard g, silent u, unless stated otherwise Guàm *Gwàm guarantêe gá-, cf. ẁarranty guàrd *gàrd = gàrde in ávant gàrde Guatemàla Gwà- guerílla war = gorílla animal guéss guést visit = guéssed guess gúff cf. gáffe guîde guíld society = gíld lily guílt guilty = gílt gild gúlf cf. gôlf gúng-hô gúnwale = gúnnell Guínêa country = guínêa money guíllotìne - either stressed gúng-hô hyphenated guŷ gým gymnasium = Jím person gynaecólogist hard g-: *gŷnəcólojist, AmE -nec- gyrâte *jîrâte gŷroscope j-

H

H âitch hà ha hà laughter hà-hà fence hâbeas cŏrpus háckneyed *hácknid haemoglôbin - haê- haemophília - haê- haémorrhage *hémmoridge, *hémerage haémorrhoid haêmostâsis Hâgue person, Netherlands = Hâig = Hâigh persons hâil stones, greeting = hâle hearty hãir head = hãre animal Hâiti *Hâtey, cf. hâte hàjj or hàdj hālf *hàf; AmE *háf hâlfpenny hâpəny håll building = håul pull, cf. Hál person hallelûjah - j as y: *hallelûya hállôw cf. hallô hålt hālve half AmE ≈ háve own, though hálve tends to be longer hámlet -lít, cf. hám ómlette hámster *hámpster, cf. hámper, Hámpstead hándbag can be *hámbag hándkerchìêf *hánkerchêaf hándle touch, door = Hándel, Hándl persons hándout noun one word hándover noun one word hándwrítten one word hángar aeroplane = hánger clothes Hanŏi Hánover has one n in English, two in German Haràrê hárass *hárras, AmE haráss, cf. Hárrís person hãre animal = hãir fur = Hãre = Hãir persons hàrem or hãrem hàrk cf. heàrken hàrpsichord -kŏrd hàrt deer = heàrt beat = Hàrt person hássle cf. hústle, *hússle hâsten *hâyssən hâte love = Hâight Ashbury hâtred -íd cf. pûtríd håul robbery = håll building hautëur *ôat-ër háve can sound like *háff when emphasised before an unvoiced consonanat: I *háff to sêe hím háve-nóts haves Hawàiì Håwes håwk håwthorn plant = Håwthorne person hây farm = hèy exclamation Haŷdn cf. Hâydon = Hâyden hâ’p’orth héad cf. hêed hêal cure = hêel foot héalth hêar sound = hêre there Hêar, hêar! agree hëard hear = hërd animals, cf. hàrd soft heàrken cf. hàrk hêarsay hëarse heàrt beat = hàrt deer = Hàrt person heàrtfélt one word heàrth hêath hêathen -dhən héather rhymes with wéather -dh- hêave héaven héavy héavywèight boxing *hévviwâit, one word, cf. héavy wèight literal hêed cf. héad hêe hêe laugh cf. hê him hêel foot = hêal cure hegémony - hard g or j Heîdelberg héifer cow = Héffer person heîght *hîte heîghten high = Huŷton place hèinous Heînz *Hŷnts: in the 1950s, with memories of the second world war still fresh, the company of this name pronounced itself Hînes *Hŷnze héir heiress = ãir breathe, etc. hélicopter cf. hêlium héllhole one word hellô or hallô or hullô hém but not many other words begin this way, haém- being more common hémidemisémiquaver hémisphêre hërd animals = hëard hear, cf. hàrd soft hêre there = hêar sound Héreford héretic herétical hêro héron hérôín drug = hérôíne hero cf. méscalíne heteroséxual cf. métro, rétro heŵ wood = hûe colour = Hûgh = Hûw persons hèydây one word he’s he is = hís belonging to him - but can be hê’s *hêez hîâtus *hîgh-èight-us híccúp can be spelt híccoúgh hídden hídeous *hídìəss hîdeòut hîeràrchy *hîeràrky hîgh height = hî hello hîghbròw one word, *hîbròw hilãrious Hílary = Híllary hînd hínder híndrance -drənss híppocratic cf. hypocrítical hîre rent ≈ hîgher high hís he *hízz, cf. híss snake, hê’s or he’s históric hítchhîke second h aspirated hŏar frost = whŏre prostitute = Hŏare person Hîte person = heîght high hŏard store = hŏrde gang hŏarse voice = hŏrse animal hôax hóbnób one word hóck as in ín hóck, cf. ád hóc hôe garden cf. hô hô laughter hôld hand = hôled golf hôle gap = whôle complete hóliday vacation = Hólliday person = Hóliday Billie hólly cf. hôly Hóllywoòd Hôlmes person = hômes living or Hólmes, with l pronounced or hinted at hôly sacred ≈ whôlly completely, which has the two l’s pronounced Hólyhéad Hôlyroôd hómage - unlike French, one m homêopáthic AmE; BrE homoêo- homêópathy AmE; BrE homoêó- hômewörk one word hómicide homógeneous -jenəss or hômôgêneous rhyming with gênius hómoným hômo sápiens homoséxual - hó- Hóng Kóng *Honkóng hône hónest *ónnist honoràrium ón- hónorary ón- honorífic ón- hónour *ónner, AmE hónor hónourable ón-, AmE hónorable hoòdwink hoòk hoòkah pipe *hùkə = BrE hoòker prostitute, rugby hoôver carpet is from Hoôver person hôping hope cf. hópping hop Hórace rhymes with Bóris, Dóris, Nórris and Mórris hŏrde gang = hŏard store horrífic hórror hŏrs d’oëuvre ŏr-dërvrə hŏrse animal = hŏarse croak hóspice -íss hóspital hóspitalised hôst hóstage hóthead as if two words hóthòuse as if two words hóugh leg = hóck pawn hòur time = òur us hôuse noun -s, verb -z Hoûston *Hoôston howéver one word hòwl wolf cf. òwl bird hûe colour = Hûgh person = hêw cut = Hûw Welsh Hûghes person = heŵs hew hullabaloô hûman hûmorist hûmorous humour = hûmerus bone hûmour AmE hûmor húndred Húngary country - three syllables ≈ húngry hunger - two syllables hústle *hússle, cf. hássle hýmn church = hím he hŷper- very hypercrítical critical hypócrisy cf. hýpocríte, demócracy, hippocrátic hypocrítical hypocrite hystêria hystérical

I

Î letter, me = eŷe sight = aŷe yes Ìan person cf. îron, silent r îceberg one word Îceland -lənd Icelándic îcon idêa *îdêə, cf. monosyllables pêa, têa, a not sounded separately ídeogram idêólogy - î or í idiosýncrasy îdle lazy = îdol god = AmE îdyll idyllic Idomenèo ídyll BrE; AmE îdyll = îdle = îdol ígnorance ignŏre íleum intestine = ílium bone illegálity illícit illegal = elícit get íll-thŏught-òut illûsive illusory = elûsive elude ímage -íj imaginâtion imágíne imàm imbróglio *imbrólyo immêdìately imménse cf. eménd ímmigrate cf. émigrate ímpact noun, affect impáct fix, wedge impâle impàla ímpasse impêach impéccable impêrial impéril ímpetus impŏrtance ímpotence impresàrio one s ímpress noun impréss verb improprîety ímprovîse improvisâtion BrE -əvî-, AmE -óví- ímpudent -yû- impûte ascribe cf. ínput put in *ímpùt ín abséntia inadvërtent íncense smoke incénse anger inchôâte ínk- íncident incidéntal incidéntally incrédible incúmbent cf. encúmber indepéndent cf. depéndent, depéndant ín-dépth adjective Índian - can be spelt without a capital when referring to American indians Indiána indîct *indîte indígenous indispénsable índustry indústrial inévitable infállible ínfamous cf. fâmous infátuâtion inflámmatory -mm- ín frònt of three words inhérit inítial *iníshəl inítiative *iníshətíve ínjure cf. endûre ínland adjective inlánd adverb ínn pub = ín preposition inóculate ínpùt put in *ímpùt, cf. impûte ascribe inquîre, inquîry or enquîre, enquîry; AmE ínquiry = enquiry ínroads insâtiable insístent ín sítu insoûciance inståll some AmE instål instålment AmE instållment instéad insůre insurance = ensůre verify; BrE *inshåw, AmE *inshûr insürgent cf. sürge intáct one word intégral íntegrate intélligent interáction interfêre interfêrence interlócutor intërnal internátional -áshnəl, cf. nâtion internêcîne intërpret ínterview intestînal or intéstinal íntimate adjective -ət íntimâte verb ínto *íntû or *íntə: one word - but ón to is still two íntricacy íntrìgue noun *íntrêeg intrìgue verb *ín-trêeg introspéction inválid valid ínvalid ill ínventory *ínvəntry, cf. ínfantry in-yer-fâce îón electron cf. îron metal, *îən, silent r Îôna îPód ® showing a trend towards internal capitalisation also seen in EastÉnders Irān cf. îron metal, silent r Irânian or Irànian Irāq -k Irāqi -kì irâte î- Îreland BrE Îələnd, cf. îsland *îlənd Irênê or silent final e iridéscent *írridéssant îron metal BrE *îyən, cf. îón electron, Ìan person, Iràn country irónic îrony *îrənỳ irresístible irréverent irrévocable írrigate cf. erádicate Îsaac *Îzək îsland *îlənd, cf. Îreland Íslám Íz- Islámic Îslay *Îlə îsle island *île = aîsle theatre Îsle of Wîght *Île of Whîte îsobar -ss-, cf. Ísobel = Ísabel, -z- Ísrâel *Ísreâl Isrâeli íssue *íshû or íssyû Istanbùl or to please the Turks Istánbul cf. old spelling in Graham Greene’s novel title Stamboul Train ísthmus íts belonging to it = ít’s it is - ít’s for íts is probably the most common mistake of all Îvan Îvor îvory îvy plant = Îvy person J = jây bird Jáckie either sex = Jácqui female Jâin religion = Jâne person jalópy jámb door = jám bread, cf. lámb, also -m Jánet Jânus Japán jéalous *jélləss Jêan person = gêne genetics, cf. Jâne person jêans trousers = gênes genetics jéll shape = gél hair jélly jéopardy *jéppardy, cf. léopard, also silent o Jéricho -kô Jerôme Jérry = Gérry Jéssê = Jéssìê Jêsus -z- Jésûít -z- jéttison jétty Jeŵ cf. Jûdaism jeŵel stone cf. dûel fight = dûal two jeŵeller *jûəler jihád jínx bad luck = jínks high jinks Jô Josephine = Jôe Joseph Jôêy Joseph = jôey animal Jôan Jôánna Jôánne jób work Jôb person jöurnal jöurney Jûdâísm AmE *Jûdêísm júdgement or júdgment soft g jûice fruit *jûce, cf. deûce two, equal Jûlie Julŷ júmpstart one word jùnta or ú or h- jûry justice = Jeŵry Jew, cf. Dûry person, Neŵry town Jûvenal jûvenîle K = Kây person Kàbul - some say Kabùl Kafkaésque *Káfkə-ésk: there may be a glottal stop before é kamikàzê kapùt unlike German kaputt karaôkê *kariôkêy, *cárry-ôkie Káren ancient Kàrin modern kàrma Kashmìr Asia = cashmêre wool Kathmandû Kátm- Kátz person = cáts cat kebáb kêen interested, sharp = Kêane = Kêene persons Kêighley *Kêithley Kêith kërb street = cürb lessen, street kërnel centre = colonel army kérosêne or kérosìne késtrel kétchup kéttle water cf. cáttle farm kêỳ door = quaỳ port kêyboard one word Kèynsham Khachatûrian *Kachachûrian khàkì - either stressed Khmér Kəm- Kìév *Kìyéff kìlo kílomêtre or kilómetre; AmE -er kînd kíndred -dríd kíngly Kíngsley cf. Mackínley Kirkûdbright *Kəkûbry kítsch *kítch Kleîn = Clîne knâve cad, cards = nâve church knêad dough = nêed necessary = knêed knee knêejerk one word, n- knêel down = Nêil, etc. persons kneŵ know = neŵ fresh kníck-knáck cf. Níck knîght chess, Sir *nîte = Knîght person = nîght dark knít wool = nít creature, fool knóck *nóck, cf. noòk knót tie = nót no knôw acquaint = nô negative knôw-hòw knowledge hyphenated = nôhòw anyhow knôw-nothing adjective one word knówledge *nólij knôwn cf. nòne knôws know = nôse face Knóx person = knócks knock, n- koòky eccentric = coòkie cake Koràn = Quràn = Qur’àn Korêa peninsula = BrE carêer job, fast Kósovô -ss- - although Kosovans say ‘Kóssôvə’ kòwtòw Kürt person = cürt abrupt Kuwâit Kÿrgyzstān L = él railway labŏrious lâbour AmE -or, cf. Lâbor Pàrty Australia, etc. lâbourer AmE -or- lábyrinth lackadâisical lácklustre adjective one word lácquer *lácker láddies boys lâdies women làger beer hard g, cf. soft g in làrger bigger lâid egg, table, trap *lâyed lâin down = lâne traffic lãir hideout ≈ lâyer covering: both are two syllables, but lâir is normally shorter lâissèz-fãire silent z: *lây-sây-fãir lámb -m lambást or lambâste lamént lámentable or laméntable lâne road = lâin lie = Lâne, Lâine persons lánguorous -uorou-: -ərə- Làos nation = lòuse bug lápdog one word lápse negative = láps lap largésse or AmE largéss làrva insect BrE = làva volcano lâser -z-; rhymes with râzor lasso *lássoô Làs Vègas - many BrE speakers say *Lós Vègas probably because they would normally read Las with the á sound, the AmE Làs sounds to them like Lós, and by analogy with Lós Ángeles lâter làttè látter låud praise = BrE lŏrd master låudanum lāughter rhymes with āfter laureate *lóriat laurel *lórrel làva volcano BrE = làrva insect lávish cf. slâvish låw legal = BrE lŏre folk: *lŏ, cf. lôw *ləù: Francophones beware Lawrence Ló- or Laurence w more common låwyer *lŏyer lây table, egg, snooker as a verb in its own right, or as past of lîe; = lâze lazy lâybŷ lâyer covering ≈ lãir hideout: both are two syllables, but lâyer is normally longer lâze lazy = lâys table lâzy lêa grass = lêe shelter = Lêe = Lêigh persons lêach percolate = leêch worm, sail lêast cf. lést lêaves leave, leaf lêad first, guide léad metal = léd took, past of lêad, cf. réad, past of rêad lêader lead = lìêder songs lêak liquid = lêek vegetable lêague *lêeg léant lean = lént lend = Lént season léapt leap lëarn past: lëarned or lëarnt lëarned as attributive adj: a *lëarníd mán lêast less cf. lést in case Lébanon -ənən; AmE -ón léd guided = léad metal lée shelter = Lêe = Lêigh = Lêa persons = lêa grass lêes dregs cf. lêase contract, unvoiced s leêch worm, sail = lêach percolate Lêeds city = lêads lead lêek vegetable = lêak liquid lêer look = Lêar person léft hand, leave léftie politics = léfty hand légacy lêgal législâtor législatûre Léicester city = Léster person Léinster leisure BrE léisure *lézher; AmE lêisure *lêzher; BrE rhyming with méasure, pléasure and tréasure leîtmotìf Lénnox léns *lénze, plural lénses lént lend = Lént season = léant lean Lêô Léominster *Lémstə Léonard *Lénnəd = Lénnard léopard animal = Léppard person *lépəd, cf. Léonard, jéopardy, also silent o lêotàrd *lêətàd léper *lépə, rhyming with pépper Lêroy Lésley female = Léslie male Lesotho *Lesûtû léss more léssen less = lésson school lést in case cf. lêast less lêthal léts let = lét’s let us léttuce *léttis Levánt lévee dam = lévy tax lêver AmE léver lêverage AmE léverage cf. béverage in both Lêvi Lévis cf. Lêavis lévy tax = lévee dam leŵd cf. feûd Leŵis Scotland, person *Loôwis = Leŵes England liâison lì- lîable three syllables lîar lîbel two syllables líberal libertãrian líberty líbido Lìbra lîbrary lîbrãrian Líbya lîcence BrE or lîcense AmE; can be verb in BrE lîcensêe *lîcencee lîchen plant = lîken compare lîe down, untrue cf. lŷing, lây lìên *lêən lìêder songs = lêader lead lieuténant AmE lût-, BrE léft- or lût- lîfestyle one word lîfetime one word lígament lîght *lîte - but ‘lite’ can be seen commercially lîghtning flash *lîtning ≈ lîghtening lighten lîkelihood lîkely lîke-mînded lîlac Lilóngwè líly-lívered límb *lím, cf. clîmb up = clîme climate lîme cf. Lŷme Rêgis límô limousìne *limmazêen línchpín cf. lýnch Líncoln *Língkən Líndsay = Líndsey *Línzy línêage *línêíj, cf. lîne lingerie BrE *lánzhery, AmE *lànjerèy, è stressed lîon animal = Lŷon person, cf. Lỳon France líp-rêad líquefy cf. líquid líquidate liqueûr chocolate *licûre líquor whisky *líkker Lîsa - usually Lísbon *Lízbən líst column, sway = Líszt Franz lísten *líssen lístless *lístlíss lîte - humorous or commercial spelling of lîght líterary líturgy líve verb lîve adjective cf. lîfe noun líves verb lîves life plural of lîfe Líz Lìza – usually Ljubljàna´*Lyùblyàna llàma animal = làma Buddhism Llanélli - Welsh names beginning in Ll- are pronounced in English as if they began Thl-: *Thlanéthly - except for Llŏyd - L sound only lôan lend = lône alone lôath unwilling unvoiced th; its variant lôth is preferable, to avoid confusion with following, which is sometimes used incorrectly instead lôathe hate voiced th, *lôadh lôathsome voiced th, no middle e lóch Scottish ch like Arabic kh, phonetic symbol (, cf. lóck; Irish ones are lóugh, same pronunciation lóckjaw one word lôgo Lòndon lône only = lôan money longévity -njé- lónger long hard g sounded separately longëur bore g not sounded separately Lóngfellow loô toilet = Loû person = lieû in loòkalike noun one word loôse insecure *lûce, cf. lose lost = loôs loo *lûze - loôse for lose is perhaps the second most common mistake after ít’s for íts loôt spoils = lûte music lŏre folk BrE = låw rule lórry transport = Laurie person lose lost *lûze = loôs toilets, cf. loôse insecure *lûce loser unlucky *lûzer, cf. loôser more insecure loses lû-, cf. lósses lôth disinclined variant of lôath, and preferable, as it is further from lôathe hate loûche -sh Loûìs silent s, or (particularly in St. Loûis) = Leŵís Louìse Louisiána Lûì-; one n lòve cf. lôathe lôw cf. låw lûchre *lûker, AmE lûcher lúggage lúllabŷ lúmbar back = lúmber wood lûte music = loôt spoils lúvvie actor cf. lòve, lòvey-dòvey Lúxemboürg lŷing from lîe lýmph lýnch = Lýnch person, cf. línchpin lýnx animal = línks link Lỳón France cf. lîon animal lŷre harp = lîar cheat M = ém print macádam road comes from McÁdam person: names begin Mac- or Mc- with or without a following capital macarôni cf. original Italian ‘macheroni’ MacGrégor or McGrégor machétê *məshétty machìne -sh- machísmo mátch- or mətch- mácho mátch- Mácintyre = MácKintyre (c of ‘Mac’ is always hard, even before a vowel) Macleod or MacLeod or McLeod *Məclòud mádeleine cake = Mádeleine Paris, person mâde-up adjective before noun mádman or -mán; one word Madràs mâelstrom màêstro *mŷstro máfia AmE màfia magazìne Mågdalen Oxford = Mågdalene Cambridge both silent g= måudlin sentimental Mágdalene Mary *Mágdəlín magistêrial cf. májesty mágnâte power mágnet magnetic mâid servant = mâde make mâil letters = mâle female mâin principle = Mâine America = mâne horse mâinstream one word mâize crop = mâze labyrinth Majŏrca *Məyŏrcə majórity malãria Malâysia cf. Âsia etc. Málcolm person *Málcum, cf. tálcum powder mâle man = mâil post måll shopping = måul violence; Páll Máll is an exception mállêable målt Målta Mámmon mán male = Mánn = Mánne persons = Mán Manchester mánakin bird cf. máníkin dwarf, model = mánnequin dummy Mánchester cf. Chéster mânger cf. mánager mâne horse = mâin principal = Mâine State mándarin mándatory mandolíne mâne lion = mâin important = Mâine state mângy -jy mánhandle mâniácal máníkin or mánníkin dwarf, model = mánnequin dummy, cf. mánakin bird mán-mâde mánna heaven BrE = mánor house = mánner way mánnequin dummy = máníkin dwarf, model, cf. mánakin bird manoeûvre BrE or manœûvre; AmE maneûver many *ménny, cf. pénny Màori *Mòwry, cf. Lòwry mãre horse = mãyor councillor margarìne màrj- Màrgot -gô Marìa but: Bláck Marîa marìne máriner sailor = Márriner person máritîme Màrlboro ™ cigarette -bərə = Màrlborough person Mårlborough town *Måwlbərə Màrs Martian = màrs mar Marsèille *Marssây Mãry cf. márry màrten animal = màrtin bird = Màrtin person màrtyr -tər māsk face = māsque ball Massachûsetts mássacre -ker mássacring mássàge -àzh AmE *məssàzh massëuse -ëz; AmE -ûz māsterstroke one word matêrial unlike in French mátinèe *mátinây: matinée, accent can be written in BrE but not in AmE mátress mâtrix måudlin sentimental = Mågdalen Oxford = Mågdalene Cambridge måul lion = måll shops Maurice person BrE = Mórrís name; AmE Maurìce; see -óris in Retroalphabetical Word List mauve colour *môav, cf. move û movement mây perhaps = Mây month, person mâybe perhaps only meaning ‘perhaps’ is it one word, cf. mây bê verbs: mâybe it’s trûe; ít mây bê trûe mâyhém mãyor councillor = mãre horse, cf. Mâyer person, mâjor McEnroe *Máckenroe McIlroy *Máckilroy McGóugh *MəGóff McKénzie = MacKénzie = Mackénzie Mək- mêaly-mòuthed mêan intend, generous = mìên face méant mean cf. -ment suffix mêantime one word méasure *mézher mêat flesh = mêet up = mête appropriate mêatball one word médal medallion = méddle interfere mêdia mêdial médical médicine - the first i may be silent medìêval or mediaêval *medì-êvəl or *medêvəl Mediterrânean cf. ‘terra’, Latin for ‘earth’, so it is not *Meditterânean mêet encounter = mêat eat = mête suitable, out megalomâniac melanchôlia -nk- mélancholy -nk- Mélbourne *Mélbən, cf Mílburn, BrE *Mílbən méltdown noun one word meménto remember cf. môment, moméntous time mémoir *mémwà (no final -e unlike in French original) ménace rhymes with Dénnis and ténnis (-əss or -íss) ménû Ménzies Robert Menzies Campbell *Míngis Méopham *Méppəm mêre meringue *məráng mesméric mésmerise Méssrs Mister r as er, cf. mésser mess Mésurier John le = méasurer measure métal metallic = méttle quality metamŏrphôsis - either stressed meteorólogy mê- mête suitable, out = mêet encounter, mêat animal mêter measure = mêtre distance, rhythm BrE; all three meanings in AmE are mêter mêthane methínks one word méthod methódical mètièr métier *mâytiay meŵs street, cat = mûse think, inspiration mézzanine méz- or méts- mézzo *métso mì doh-re-mi = mê I Mîámì miaòw mîca Mîchael *Mŷcle, rhyming with cŷcle mîcrô-ŏrganism hyphenated míd does not require hyphen middây mídnight *mídnîte mìên face = mêan intend, ungenerous míffed rhymes with ríft etc. mîght perhaps, power = mîte small, arachnid mìgraine mîke microphone = Mîke Michael Milán Italy í, cf. Mìlán person mîles mile = Mîles person mílitary milítia *milíshə millénnium minarét mînd brain, care = mîned mines mîndset noun one word mîne me, bomb, coal mînefield one word mîner coal = mînor small, young, major minestrônê míni small = Mínnie person míniature *mínitcher mínímum mínistry cf. mónastery mínkê *mínky mînus mínuscule mínute time *mínít mînûte tiny minûtiae *minûshî mîre mís- not hyphenated miscellâneous -səl- miscéllany -sél- míschíef míschíevous misconcéption mislêad misléd misógynist misquôte míss aim = Míss female = mís- wrong míssal prayers = AmE míssile hit, cf. BrE pronunciation míssîle misshâpen *míss-shâpen Mississíppì Missoûrì *Mizoôry; some AmE speakers say *Mízoôrə misspéll místral wind cf. místrîal trial misûse mîte small, arachnid = mîght perhaps, power mnemónic nem- môbîle move Môbìle Alabama módel *móddle, cf. môtél Mohámmed or Muhámmad *Məhámid mŏisten *mŏissən Mojàvê *Məhàvì môld shape = môuld mouldy mólecule molécular móllycoddled one word Mólotov -f Mólineûx *Móllyneŵ môment cf. meménto moméntous cf. meménto mónarch BrE -nək, AmE -nàrk mónestery *mónistry, cf. mínistry mònetary mòney mónicker name = móniker name; BrE = Mónica person mònk Montána BrE and AmE, cf. AmE banána but BrE banàna, with the usual BrE pronunciation of this ending; also Alabáma and Louisiána are both BrE and AmE mònth *múnth cf. mòunt *máùnt Montgómery = Montgómerie Montreål -ê- moôn mŏor land = mŏre plus = Mŏore = Mŏre names moôt mention cf. mûte silent môped mope môpéd bike móral virtuous morāle confidence mŏrès (-âyz) mŏrning early = mŏurning death mŏron Mórris person BrE = Maurice person: see -óris in Retroalphabetical Word List mŏrtgage *mŏrgij mŏrtíce or mŏrtíse mosâíc pattern = Mosâíc Jewish *môzâíc Móscôw - some AmE speakers say Móscòw mósque *mósk, cf. músk, màsk mosquìto -skêeto môte eye = môat castle móthball one word motìf pattern mô-, cf. môtive reason moûe pout = moô cow môuld mouldy = môld shape mòuntaínous -tínəs mŏurn dead = mŏrn morning Mòusehole Cornwall *Mòuzəl moûsse chocolate = moôse animal, cf. mòuse rodent moustāche BrE *məstàsh; AmE mústache, *mústásh mòuth noun th unvoiced, verb th voiced, cf. bréath noun th unvoiced, brêathe verb th voiced mòuthpiece one word move û Môzart *Môatsart Mr abbreviation of míster, full form rarely used Mrs *míssíz; abbreviation of míssis or míssus, full form rarely used; = mísses mistakes, girls mûesli *meŵzly Mûïr name *meŵer, cf. mŏre, etc. Mujahedìn múltiplŷ verb múltiplỳ adverb múm quiet, mother = AmE mòm mother múmmy body, mother = AmE mòmmy mother Mûnich -ík Múrraỳ = Mòray firth = Múrry, cf. húrry mürky múscle body = mússel shellfish Múscovite mústáche is AmE for moustàche mûse think, inspiration = meŵs street, cat musêum mûz- mûsic current = mûsick archaic Mùslim or Móslem, -z- múslin mústn’t *mússənt mûte silent cf. moôt mention mŷ mŷnah bird BrE = mînor lesser = mîner mines mŷre mýriad mÿrtle mýstery *mistry mystìque *mistêek, cf. mistâke mýth myxomatôsis N = én print naìve naïve innocent nàì- *nŷêve, cf. nâve church naìvity *nà-ìvity - or naïveté, *nî-yeevitây nâked -íd Náncy person = Nàncy France Nâomi narcissístic nárrative narrâtor NÁSA space = BrE Násser person nâscent Násh person = gnásh teeth nāstiness nāsty Nâthan nátional *náshnəl, cf. nâtion nâtionwîde one word nátural *nátchrəl nåught nothing *nåwt = nŏught zero: thèy wíll stóp at nåught; hòw many nŏughts dòes a quadríllion hàve? nåughty *nåwty nåusea BrE *nåuzìa, AmE *nåusha nåuseous -shəss nâval navy = nâvel nâve church = knâve cad, cf. naïve or naìve innocent nâvel stomach = nâval nây no = nèigh horse = nè né man = nèe née woman Nàzi -tsì Nàzísm *Nàtsízm; not *Nàtsìyízm neánderthal - nê- nécessary nêe- = knêe; see also nì- nêed require = knêad dough = knêed knee negôtiate negotiâtions nèigh horse = nây no = nè né man = nèe née woman nèighbour *nâber, rhymes with lâbour, sâbre, tâbor, câber and Fâber Nêil = Nêill = Nêal = Nêale = Knêale persons = knêel down, cf. níl zero neîther AmE nêither némesis nêô- neólogism nê- nét catch = nétt deductions neûter néver mînd is two words Neŵ Ŏrleans neŵbŏrn adjective, noun one word newfángled one word neŵ-fòund Neŵfoundland BrE *Neŵfəndlənd neŵly new = Neŵley person neŵspaper -eŵss-; one word neŵswörthy one word Ngaîo *Nŷô Màrsh Nicarágua -gûa has given way to -gwə nîce good cf. Nìce France, NYSE New York nìche *nêesh níck steal = Níck person = kníck-nack Nîgel *Nîjəl Nîger delta *Nîjə, cf. Nîgel Nigér country *Nízhãiə, French style Nigêria Nîj- nîgh *nŷ nîght dark *nîte; = kníght Sir, chess nîghtmãre nìhílíst - h can be as y níl - one l nìrvàna nít creature, fool = knít wool nítpick one word nítwit one word neŵborn one word néxt doôr two words nô negative cf. nº number nób rich = knób handle Nôbél prize - either stressed nôble birth, elevated noblésse nóctürne cf. türn nô-gô ãrea noir BrE *nwà, AmE *nwàr nóm de plûme *nómdəplûme nón- not not a word in its own right except in persôna nón gràtis nónchalant nónsh- nòne zero = nún God, cf. knôwn knew, nô-one nobody nònesuch nonplússed no hyphen nónsense nonsénsical nón séquitùr - or nôn; or -tə noòk cf. knóck *nóck noôn midday = Noône person noôse cf. nòus nô-òne nobody - the hyphen seems the happy medium: one also sees nôòne - too redolent of noôn and Noône above - and nô òne, but the hyphenless version is best used only where òne is not a person but a quantifier: nô òne síngle fáctor Nŏrfolk -fək Nórwich rhymes with pórridge or Ípswich nŏrthern voiced th, unlike nŏrth nôse face = knôws know nôsey or nôsy nôtewörthy one word nòthing nôtice -íss nôticeable notorîety notŏrious nŏught zero *nåwt = nåught nothing noúrish nòus cf. noôse, hòuse noûveau rìche *nûvô-rêesh Nôva Scôtia *Nôvə Scôshə nóvelist novélla nôwhere one word, cf. nô plâce nth *énth nûisance nyûss- númb -m númber 123 númber numb *númmer nûmerous nún God = nòne nought nútcase one word nutrítion nû- nyctophôbia nýmph *nímf Ô letter = ôh exclamation ŏar boat = ŏr alternative = ŏre metal oâsis *ôwâyssís obêdience obèisance obèy oblìque -lêek obscêne obscénity obsêquious óbsolête obsoléscence óbstacle occâsionally occür occürred (cf. cûred), occúrrence, occürring - two r’s ôcean *ôtion, *ôshən óchê *ócky, cf. hóckey ôchre *ôker; AmE -er óctagon óctopus ôdious ôdium ôdorous Oêdipus AmE Ê- oêstrogen AmE ê- öeuvre *ërvra óf *óv offénce BrE, AmE offénse offénsive óffspring one word óften *óffen; though some pronounce the t ÔK or ôkây Ôklahôma ôld normal = ôlde jocular, old-fashioned = Ôld person ôld-fáshioned ómelette *ómlit, cf. hámlet omérta omnípotent òne single = wòn game òne-óff ònes plural = òne´s possessive *wúnz òneself one word, wú- óngôing one word ònion *únyon, cf. Cányon onlîne connected one word ónlooker one word Ontãrio ón to *óntû or *óntə: two words, but ínto is one ónyx or ônyx oòps óperate ophthalmólogist ph opínion opportûnity *óppərtyûnity oppréss oppûgn -ûne optimístic ópt-òut noun hyphenated ŏr instead = ŏre metal = ŏar boat ŏral voice = åural ear órange *óringe oráng-utan orâte órator ŏrchestrate ŏrk- ŏrchid *ŏrkid, cf. ŏrchard, ch sound ŏrdnance weapons cf. ŏrdinance decree ŏrient órifíce AmE ŏrifíce Orîon

• ŏrtha- no words begin like this

ŏrthodox ósprêy or ósprèy òtherwise one word Ouagadoûgou *Wágadûgu ouìja-bŏard wì- ŏught *åwt òur us = hòur time òut outdo *òutdoô, one word òutlåw one word òutrîght one word outsîde one word ôva ovum = BrE ôver top, finish òven ôver overbürdened one word overcòme one word overdûe one word ôverload one word overlôaded one word overnîght *ôver-nîte, one word overrâte rate ≈ overâte or *overét overeat overreáct *ôverêáct, one word overrîde one word overrûle one word overshádow one word overthrôw one word ovërt ô- ôwe debt = ôh exclamation = Ô letter óxbow Óxford -əd O’Brîen cf. Brîan P = p pence = pêa eat = pêe urine pâce speed pàcè peace *pàchè páchydërm *pákidërm pácifist cf. pássive paêan paediatrícian paêdophile pâge págeant ea as schwa, *pájənt pâid pay *pâyed, *pâde, cf. regularly formed plâyed, swâyed, etc. pâil bucket = pâle pallid pâin hurt = pâne window pâinstâking pãir two = péãr fruit = pãre nails Pākistān but not Pàkistán pálatal palate palâtial palace -shəl pâle light = pâil bucket Pálestîne Palestínian påll cf. Páll Máll, måll pállet mattress = pálette paint Pámela panáche *pənásh Pánamà páncake *pángcake pánda animal BrE = pánder serve pandemônium pâne glass = pâin hurt pánel cf. chánnel panoràma paparázzi pápərátsy pâper-thín páprika AmE paprìka papŷrus parábola párachute -shû- páradigm -îm Páraguay -gwî párallel *párralel, cf. désiccate páralyse parálysis paralýtic paral parámeter pãre cut = pãir two = péãr fruit pãrent parîah Parísian -ízì- pàrliament *pàrləmənt párrot bird = Párrott person partisán -z- AmE pàrtisan -zən pàrse -z partícipate pássè passé pāssed pass = pāst time, tense pássion *páshən pássive cf. pácifist pāsteurise from Pastëur; cf. pāsture field pastìche -ìsh pāstime pāst ít old pátè pâté pâtent pàth pathétic pathológical á pathólogy pâthós pâtience virtue, cards ≈ pâtients hospital pátois *pátwà cf. fátwà pâtriàrch -k pátriot or â patriótic - á or â patrôl cf. pétrol pátronise condescend pâtronise patron påuse stop = påws animal pâyback noun one word pây-óff noun pêa vegetable = pêe urine = P letter = p pence pêal bell = pêel fruit = Pêel person pêak summit = pêek cheat = pìque annoyance péãr fruit = pãir two = pãre cut cf. Pêter Pêars Pêarce person = Pìêrce person, pìêrce hole, cf. Pìêrs, -z person = pìêrs pier pëarl stone = pürl knit, liquid pêase pudding -z: = pêas pea pêat bog = Pête Peter peccadíllo pédal foot = péddle sell pédestal pédigree pédlar or péddler seller pêe urine = pêa vegetable = p pence = P letter pêek cheat = pêak summit = pìque annoyance pêer look, lord = pìêr jetty pêeved pejórative cf. përjury péll-méll cf. Páll Máll pén write = Pénn person péncil Penélopê penicíllin península noun = BrE penínsular adjective Pennsylvânia péntagon pêony *pêənỳ pêople pêep-, cf. stêeple Pêpys Samuel = pêeps looks për normally weak, but when strong = pürr cat per cént two words percéntage one word përfect adjective perféct verb përjury cf. pejórative permíssion permít verb përmit noun përpetrate not perper- për sè *persây, cf. sây përson persôna personálity persôna nón gràtis personnél staff *personéll, cf. përsonal private persuâde -swâde Perû pervërse përvërt pervërted péssimistic péz- pétrol oil = pétrel bird, cf. patrôl Pëugeôt ™ -zhô ph- f- phâeton phálanx phãraoh Egypt -rô; = Fãroe Islands pharmacôpoêia AmE pharmacôpêia rhyming with cornucôpia phàrming chemicals = fàrming farm phâse period = fâze puzzle phenómena plural phenómenon singular pheŵ relief = feŵ many Phílip person = fíllip stimulus Philìppe phîal liquid = fîle papers, nails phíshing email = físhing water physiógnomy *fízzy-ónomy phlégm Phnóm Pénh *Pənóm Pén Phoêbê *Fêeby, AmE Phêbê Phoênix Arizona *Fêenix = phoênix or phœnix ashes phôney or phôny; phôneys or phônies phôtograph photógrapher photógraphy phrâse -âze phýsical -zí-, cf. físcal, -ss- pî number π = pîe food pìanist piáno píc picture = píck other meanings Piccadílly - cc, ll pídgin language = pígeon bird pìêr jetty = pêer look, lord cf. Pêter Pêars, péar pìêrce cut = Pìêrce, Pêarce persons piérrot *pyérrô pígeonhole one word píllage -íj pîlot plane = Pîlate Pontius pîneápple -eá- pínnacle pînt cf. línt, mínt pîonêer pìque annoy = pêak summit = pêek look Pîscês *Pŷsêez pìste cf. píssed píttance píty pívot pìzza *pìtsa pizzerìa *pìtsarìa, *pizzarìa, cf. ballerìna pizzicàto píts- plácard plâce where = plâice fish plâgiarise pláid pláit hair cf. plâte food plâne air, tree, tool, surface = plâin straightforward plánet cf. gánnet plástic - some BrE speakers say plàstic pláteau flat *pláttô, cf. Plâto philosopher plátinum plátypus plâyboy one word plâywright pléasure -ézher plîght *plîte plòver plúm fruit, exact = plúmb depths, plumber plŷ Plýmouth -məth pm post meridian = PM Prime Minister *pê-ém pneumátic neû- pŏignant *pŏinyant Polàris Pôle Poland = pôle wood = pôll election polìce *plêece, cf. plêase *plêeze pólish shine Pôlish Poland políticking pólitics pôker cards, fire pôlka dance pôll vote = pôle wood = Pôle Poland, cf. tôll, knóll póll parrot pólythene *póllithêen polyéthylene -éthílêen polyphónic polýphony pómegranate cf. gránite poôl swim = Poôle place, person pŏor impecunious, unfortunate = pŏre skin, examine = pŏur liquid (some say poôr) pópulace noun = pópulous adjective pŏring examining = pŏuring out pŏrous pornográphic pornógraphy Pŏrsche car = Pŏrtia person Port-au-Prínce *Portoprínce Pŏrtugal, Portuguêse Pŏrch- Poseîdon posëur pseud cf. pôser puzzle póssê posséss *pozéss pôst letter = pôst- after, which must be hyphenated postpône pôsp- potâtoes cf. tornâdos, both -ôz Potômac poùffe práctíce AmE, BrE noun = práctíse BrE verb: in view of the pronunciation (not -îse/-îze) the American custom of using only the -íce spelling would seem the more sensible Pràgue *Pràhg prây prayer = prèy victim prãyer *prãir, cf. plâyer precêde before prí-, cf. procêed start *prəsêed précedent before préss-, cf. président head, préz- précious *préshəss prècìs précis *prâycêe prècìs’d past *prâycêed precîse *precîce prê-dâte prédator prêdecessor AmE pré- prê-émpt hyphenated prê-éminent hyphenated préferable cf. prefër prélude prémìêr government, league, -er as schwa; AmE premìêr = premìêre prémìére performance cf. thére; AmE premìêre = premìêr prémíse preóccupied - prê- prepãre présent gift, now préz- presént give príz- prestìge -êezh prestígious -íjəss preténce preténd preténsion preténtious pretty -í- prevâil prévalent prêvious prèy victim = prây prayer prîce cost = prîce = Prŷce persons prìma dónna *prê-madónna prìma fâcìê prínces = prínce’s = prínces’ male cf. príncéss female - either stressed príncipal main = prínciple reason principálity prîor before, priory = Prîor, Prŷor persons prívacy AmE prîvacy prívilege prîze present = prîse apart prô- in favour procêdure procêed cf. precêde procreâte proféss prófit money = próphet prophecy prodûce verb pródûce noun pródúct prodúctive proféssional prôgram computer, AmE prôgramme BrE not computer prôgress noun, BrE AmE prógress; verb progréss próject activity - some say prôject projéct stick out prôle prolóng one word prómenàde AmE -âde prómise -íss prônòun pronunciâtion ú: cf. pronòunce proôf cf. prove *proôve propagánda própagate próper próphecỳ noun próphesŷ verb próphet religion = prófit gain propônent prôs pro = prôse verse próspect future prospéct gold prôtêan protéct protéctor prôtegè male protegé *prôtezhây protegèe female protegée *prôtezhây prôtest noun protést verb prótestant protéster or, less often, protéstor, cf. invéstor prove *proôve, cf. proôf prôven or *proôvən próvenance Provence *Provónce Provençal *Provón-sàl próvince províncial -shl provocâtion provócative provôke pròwess pròwl prŷ ps- s- psàlm *sàm pseûd pseûdo-intelléctual psilocŷbin psst - p pronounced, any number of s’s psŷch *sîke psŷchê *sîky psychîatrist psychólogist cf. sýcophánt psychólogy psychométric psŷchopáth psychopáthic psychópathy pterodáctyl térə- públicly cf. bâsically púcker lips BrE = púkka real pùdding púddle pûerile pùll push cf. poôl water pùllover clothing cf. pùll ôver car púmíce púnish pûny yû pûre yû pürl knit, liquid = pëarl stone pürr pús yellow cf. pùss cat pùsh pùt place cf. pútt golf pûtrid cf. hâtred, both -íd pùtsch cf. pùsh pùtting put pútting putt púzzle pýgmy pyjàmas AmE pajámas pŷre Pýrrhic Q = queûe up = cûe prompt Qátàr or *Cátter, cf. catàrrh qát drug or khát or kát; = cát animal quáck qùad quadriplégic quágmire or qùagmire quàlm -àm quángo qùantity quàrk qùarrel quartét å quårtz mineral = quårts liquid qùash quaỳ harbour = kêỳ lock quêasy -zêe, rhymes with êasy and slêazy, not with grêasy -sêe Quebécker quéll quêry quéstion *quéshchən queûe line = cûe theatre, billiards quìche *kêesh quíd prô quô quiéscent *kwìéssent quîet silent two syllables, e as schwa: *kwîət quít stop quîte moderate one syllable Quìto *Kêeto quíz quŏits Quràn = Qur’àn = Koràn QWËRTY R = àre be rábbî raccoôn or racoôn râcehorse one word râcism cf. fáscism *fáshism ráck frame, stretch = wráck pain rácket corruption, noise = rácquet sport râdàr râdìî râdius râid râin water = rèign monarch = rèin horse râise up = râze ground râisin -zən râison d’étre raison d´être Ráleigh person = rálly meeting, though officially Sir Wålter Råleigh rhymes with Råwley Rálph mostly, but some are Râlph, *Râfe rámpâge noun rampâge verb Rámsey Isle of Man = Rámsay MacDonald ráncour *rángkə; AmE ráncor *rángkər Rangoôn *Ráng-gûne ránkle cf. wrínkle ránsom money = Ránsome person rappróchement *rápróshmó rápt entranced = wrápped parcel rāspberry -spb- Rastafãrian râtio *râyshôw rátion -sh- rátional -sh- rationâle -sh- ráttlesnake one word råucous rhymes with cåucus rây light = Rây = Râe = Wrây persons râzor rhymes with lâser rê concerning = rê- again prefix - in more common words, rê- sounds like rí-: compare revêal and rêdêal rêad writing = rêed plant = Rêed = Rêid = Rêad persons réad past, past participle = réd colour; cf. lêad present, léd past, past participle Réading town = Rédding person, cf. rêading read Reâgan Ronald cf. Rêgan Lear, Mégan reáct - rê- rêal genuine = rêel rotate Reál Madríd *Rèy-ál Mədríd reálpolitìk rêalty rêálity réalm rêam rébel noun *rébble, cf. pébble rebél verb réccê *récky recêde back *rísêed ≈ resêed plant, rê- recêipt money -cêet, cf. concêit, decêit recêive rêcent lately cf. resént disapprove *rizént rêcess récipê food recíprocal réckon récognise - g can be silent recónnaíssance *recónissənss récrêâtion fun, sport rê-crêâtion forensics recrûit redundant i recür recürred, recúrrence, recúrrent, recúrring - two r’s réd colour = réad book rédolent Rêes = Rhỳs = Rêece = Rêese refléct refléction BrE can be refléxion rêflex rêed water = rêad book = Rêed = Rêad = Rêid persons rêek smell = wrêak havoc rêel round = rêal genuine rê-énergise - rê- hyphenated before é rê-éntry - rê- hyphenated before é refër réference refŏrm refûse no -z réfuse rubbish -s Rég *Rédge, rhyming with hédge Rêgan Lear cf.Reâgan Ronald, Mégan regìme *râizhìme régister rehëarse Rêid person = rêad write = rêed water = Rêed person rèign monarch = râin wet = rèin horse rêígnîte rêímbürse rêínfŏrce cf. enfŏrce rêíterate - not -tt- rêjéct noun rejéct verb rejûvenate relêase cf. rêalîse rélevant relìêf relìêve rêlíve relŷ remémber remémbrance reminíscent -ssent Rénault ™ *Rénô rendezvous *róndâyvoô renège or renègue *rənâyg Rêno renòunce renunciâtion ú repéllent rêpercússions repétitive rêplay noun replây verb replŷ represént represéntative reprîsal reprìse repúblic réputable repûte resëarch AmE rêsëarch resémble *rizémble resént *rizént cf. rê-sént re-send, rêcent lately réservoir *rézəvwàr rêshuffle noun reshúffle verb resîgn leave *rizîne, cf. rê-sîgn return *rê-sîne resignâtion g sounded resíst -zí- resístance -zí- resôlve *rízólve resŏurce AmE rêsource réspiratory réspîte AmE réspíte respónsible *respónsable réstaurant *réstrónt resúlt *rizúlt resûme again *ríz-yoôm résumè CV - may be written résumé to distinguish from resûme resurréction réz- resúscitate retàrd verb rêtard person rétch vomit = wrétch poor rethínk rétina reveillê *reválly rével cf. revêal revêre réverence revieŵ newspaper = revûe show revísit revôke cf. irrévocable rewård Réynolds rhápsody -ədy rhêa bird = Rhêa Saturn rhétoric rhetórical rhodedéndron rô- rhŷme rhýthm *rídhəm rhýthmic *rídhmic ríbald *ríbbled, *ríbəld ríbbon -bən Ríchard BrE *Ríchəd rídicule ridículous *ridíkyələss rîght side, correct = wrîte read = rîte ritual = wrîght artesan = Wrîght person Rîley = Reîlly rîme frost also alternative, more regular, spelling of rhŷme ríng round, noise = wríng neck rísquè risqué *rískè rîte ritual = wrîte read = rîght side, correct = wrîght artesan ríven ríver Rìyadh - the only word with dh as the voiced sound of th in thís, and the only word with iy rôad street = rôde ride rôam wander = Rôme city rób steal = Rób Robert róbber róbbery róbin bird = Róbin = Róbyn persons rôe fish = rôw line, in a, cf. ròw Rôland cf. Rónald rôle model rôle = rôll bread, rolling, call roôfs roof *roôves, cf. hoôves hoof roôm Rôosevelt first syllable rhyming with rôse roôt plant = BrE roûte journey rôse flower, rise = rôws boat, line rôsè rosé wine rôse-tínted rôte learning = wrôte write rótten roûè roué roúgh violent = rúff cards, neck, bird, fish ròughage *rúffage, *rúffij ròund ròut victory roûte journey BrE = roôt plant; AmE ròute = ròut victory rôw boat, line = rôe fish ròw argument rúbble wreck cf. AmE rûble BrE roûble money rûbric rúcksack Ruîslip *Rŷslip rúmpus rúnaway person cf. rún awây action rúng ladder, ring = wrúng wring Rûpert rústle noise = Rússell person Rŵánda Rûá- S *éss sáccharine sácə- sáchet bag = sáshay walk sácrament sâcred sacrilegious -íjəss, from sácrilege, cf. relígious, which rhymes Sagittãrius Sáj- said *séd sâke for sàkè Japan Saskátchewan said *séd, cf. pâid, lâid etc. Sàìd Port, person = Sàêed person sâle sell = Sâle England = sâil boat Sålisbury *Sålzbry sálivate salîva sálmon *sámmon Sálomè sálon Samôa Sámùel -myùl sanctimônious sándal rhymes with cándle Sandinístas sang-froid *sàm-frwà San Josè San José *Sán Hô-zè Sánskrit cf. scrîbe Sàra usually Sãrah usually sátellite - l is doubled, but not t Sâtan sátín sátîre cf. sátyr Sátürn sátyr *sátter Sàùdì sàùerkràùt *sòurcròut sàùna såw see, wood, saying = BrE sŏre pain = BrE sŏar up sáx saxophone = Sáchs person says *séz sáy-sô noun one word scándal *scándle, rhyming with cándle scàr scárab scãre scãrce scàrf neck = Scàrfe person scàrlet colour = Scàrlett person scêne vista = sêen see scént smell = cént money, sént send scéptic AmE sképtic schàdenfreude *shàdənfrŏyd schédule BrE shé-, AmE ské- schêma *skêemə schemàta *skêem-àtə schême *skêem schérzo *skãirtso schizophrênia skítsəfrìnia schizophrénic skítsəfrénnic schnítzel shn- schtùm sht- schoôl *skoôl schoôlboy, schoôlgirl each one word schoôner skoô- schwà sh- sciática sî- scientífic sîən- scíssors - ss as z scóne cf. góne, dòne, cône scöreboard one word Scót Scotland = Scótt person scòur scöurge scráp scrâpe scrâped scrápped scrêam scrêen scríbble scúll oar = skúll head scŷthe sêa water = sêe vision sêal shut, animal sêaling = cêiling floor sêam thread, coal = sêem appear Seån person = Shåun = BrE shŏrn shear Sêáttle cf. bêátify secêde cf. procêed, precêde, succêed, supersêde secónd BrE military sécond other meanings sectãrian sedán cf. Sudàn sédentary cf. said, *séd sêed plant = cêde yield sêem appear = sêam coal, thread sêer *sêe-er segregâtion seîsmic sîz- seismólogist sîz- sêize grab *sêez = sêes see, cf. cêase stop, sîze big, síeve filter sélf-évident séll buy = céll prison, biology séll-bŷ dâte - I once saw ‘sell buy date’ sémblance cf. resemble sêmen sperm = sêaman sailor = sêamen sailors sénsor feel = cénsor censorship séntence Seôul Korea = sôle only, shoe = sôul spirit séparate adjective, séparâte verb not -per-, cf. a in pãir, désperate séptic infected cf. scéptic = AmE sképtic doubter sépulchre *sépulker sërf peasant = sürf sea sergeant *sàrjent = Sergeant = Sàrgent persons sêrial TV = cêreal breakfast sêries *sêríz sêrious cf. Sýria, Sírius sërve cf. sürvèy noun, *sërvây; survèy verb sërvíce *sërvíss, cf. sürface, -físs, only one sound diferent sétback noun one word séver cut sevêre tough sew thread = sô thus = sôw seed, cf. sòw pig seŵer pipe sewer sew séxìêst -ìyíst most séxíst sexism sextét Shâkespêare - variant spellings omitted one or both silent e’s in William Shakespeare’s time but this is the norm now; cf. shâke and spêar shâky shâman shãreholder one word shêar cut = shêer absolute shèikh Arabia - kh sound, or = shâke rattle Shêila shéllfish cf. sélfish shenánigans shépherd *shépperd = Shépherd = Shéphard = Shépheard persons shh any number of h’s Shìa ≈ BrE shêer shibbóleth Shìîte - no apostrophe or hyphen shoe foot = shoô away shoô-in noun one word; *shoe-ín shoôt bang = chûte fall shôre sea BrE = Shåw person and often sûre certain shŏrn shear BrE = Shåun, Seån persons shŏrtcoming one word shŏrtlist finalists cf. shŏrt líst Shostakôvich shoùld *shoòd, cf. shôulder, hoòd shôwcase one word, cf. bàsket câse Shreŵsbury *Shroôzbry or, more commonly, *Shrôzbry shŷ shŷlỳ Siàn *Shàn Sîbêria síbyllîne - y as schwa sìêge cf. sêize síeve *sív, cf. sêize sîgh breath = Cŷ person sîghed sigh = sîde beside sîght see = sîte place = cîte quote sîgn signal = sîne mathematics sígnature Sìkh religion = sêek find símilê cf. símilar, smîle simultâneous Sînaî or *Sînêî síng song = Síngh person sínger - síng + -er, cf. síngeing síngeing singe -jing, cf. sínging sing - hard g Singapŏre sîphon or sŷphon sïr - but Sir before a man’s name is not stressed and has the schwa sound: *Sə Jóhn Fålstaff sîting site sítting sit sîze cf. sêize sîzeable or sîzable skì snow, cf. skŷ above skìêr ski skîer sky skìíng skîve skuldúggery skúll head = scúll oar skŷscrâper one word slág cf. Glénda Slágg slây kill = slèigh snow slêaze cf. plêase, which rhymes, and grêase, which has the s hissing sound slêeve, cf. lêave sleîght-of-hand cf. slâte sleŵ slîght little, slur = sleîght-of-hand slípshod no hyphen slôth slòugh swamp *slòu = Slòugh town, cf. slôw fast sloúgh skin *slúff slúg slür slŷ slŷlỳ smållpox one word smídgen or smídgin cf. pídgin smôkescreen one word Smŷth = Smŷthe, voiced th, cf. Smíth = smíth, unvoiced th snêeze snóbbery snoôze snôwmobìle cf. môbîle snôwstorm sŏar up = sŏre hurt sôber cf. BrE sómbre AmE sómber sóccer *sócker sôcial sôsh- sôcialism sociólogy sôsh- sociológical sóck cf. sóccer sóften *sóffen sóftwãre sôldier *sôljer, cf. cŏrdial, as spelt sôle only, fish = sôul spirit = Seôul Korea sólipsism solitãire patience cf. sólitary alone sôlo Sólomon - all o’s sómbre AmE sómber; cf. sôber sòme any = súm total sòmeone *súmwún, one word sòmersåult cf. súmmer Sòmerville cf. súmmer sòmething cf. sòme thíngs sòmetime former cf. sòme tîme sòmeẁhat one word sônàr sóngwrîter one word soôn soòt sŏre pain = sŏar rise, BrE = såw see sŏught seek BrE = sŏrt type sôul spirit = sôle only, fish = Seôul Korea sòundbite one word soûpçon *soûpsón sŏurce origin BrE = såuce seasoning sòuth unvoiced th, *sòwth soúthern voiced th, *súdhern Soúthwark voiced th, *Súdhək soûvenìr *sûvenêer sóvereign *sóvrin sôw seed = sô therefore = sew cloth, cf. sòw sòw pig cf. sôw seed sŏya bean = Såwyer person = såwyer saw spà town BrE = spàr fight spây spâceship one word spêak cf. spêech spêcíes *spêeshiz spécimen spéctre AmE spécter = Spéctor person spêech cf. spêak Spéncer usual = Spénser poet spíllage -íj spínach *spínij, *spínnage, cf. spíllage spôkesperson one word spótlîght -lîte, one word spŷ Srì Lánka sqùander sqùalor cf. dóctor, BrE còlour AmE còlor squêamish St. *Sənt: abbreviation of Sâint before a name as in St. Màrk; St. Jóhn secular may be *Sínjən stâbilise stâble stability, horse stâgefright *stâjefrîte, one word stâid old-fashioned = stâyed stay stâin stâir up = stâre look stâke bet, wooden = steâk meat ståll stålwart stànch flow stàr sky, film = Stàrr person stãre look = stãir climb stãring stare stàrring star stâtionary motionless = stâtionery paper stâtist statístics státistícian -shn ståunch support stây stâyed stay = stâid old-fashioned steâk meat = stâke bet, wooden, cf. strêak line stêal thieve = stêel metal stéalth sténch stép walk = stéppe plain Stêphens = Stêvens -v- stérilise stërling currency = Stïrling Scotland steŵard Steŵart person = Stûart person: one is more likely to meet a Stûart Steŵart than the reverse stíck stîfle stíll stíng stíngy -njy stínk stítch St. Jóhn in most cases *Sənt-Jón, in a few *Sínjən stôny stópôver noun, adjective stŏre shop = Stŏrr person stŏrey BrE floor = stŏry tale, AmE floor stŏry-télling Stŏrmont strâight direct = strâit narrow straightfŏrward adjective one word Stranràer stràta AmE strâta = BrE strâighter stratêgic strátegy stràtum AmE strâtum strénuous Stréatham -təm strýchnìne *strícknêen Stûart person = Steŵart person - the Scottish royals were Stûarts but Stûart is more common as a given name, Steŵart less so stúcco stûdent stúdy stûpid stŷ pig = stŷ or stŷe eye stŷle mode = stîle field stŷmie cf. slîmy Stýx river = stícks stick suàve swà- súb jûdicê súbjugate submarìne submáriner submít subŏrn subpoêna AmE -pê- subsîdence súbsídy substántial -shəl súbtle *súttle, cf. súpple succêed -x- succéss -x- súccour help = súcker fool succúmb -úm Sudān cf. sedán sûe law = Sûe Susan = Sioûx American; cf. diminutives Sûsie, Sûzy, etc. = Sioûxsie Banshees; words beginning soô- and soû- also have this sound suède material = swâyed sway Sûez *Soôwíz suffîce Súffolk -fək sùgar shù- sûit wear, cards *sût - or *syût (more common in inflected versions such as unsûitable), cf. soòt black suìte rooms, music = swêet confection súlphur AmE súlfur súm arithmetic = sòme others súmmary summarise = súmmery summer sún star = sòn offspring súnglasses one word súnny sun = sònny son súndae ice-cream = Súnday day Sùnni Muslim cf. súnny weather - some AmE speakers say Sûnni *Soôny sûper-rích is a good example of the usefulness of the hyphen: compare an apparent ‘supérrich’ supercílious supersêde cf. precêde, intercêde súpper súpple *súpəl, cf. súbtle, *sútəl súpplement -pləmənt supplŷ provide súpplỳ supple suppréss -pp- sûre AmE *shûre; BrE sůre rhyming with Shåw sûrety AmE *shûre, BrE *shůrety sürf sea = sërf peasant sürface -físs, cf. sërvíce, only one sound different Surinám or -náme surmòunt súrrogacy sürplíce clergy ≈ sürplus extra surprîse -rpr-; not -ize survèillance -ll- sürvèy noun survèy verb Sûsan -z-, cf. Suzánne, etc. suscéptible suspénse AmE and BrE; but see retroalphabetical list for -ence and -ense sustâin sústenance svélte sẁallow throat, bird sẁamp sẁan bird = Sẁann person Sẁansea *Swónzy swårthy sẁastika sẁat fly = swót exam swâth or swâthe swéar swéat perspire swêet eat = suìte music, hotel swêetheàrt sweêt-talk verb hyphenated swŏrd blade *sŏrd, cf. swård turf, swŏre, swŏrn swear, w pronounced in all three swót exam = sẁat fly sý- apart from the variant spelling of sîphon, sŷphon, and Sŷracûse sybarític cf. síbyllîne sýcamore

• sych- no words begin like this

sýcophánt Sýdney Australia, person = Sídney person sýllable sýllabus sýlph sýmbol sign = cýmbal percussion sýmmetry symmétrical sýmptom cf. Símpson sýnagogue -góg sýnch synchronisation = sínk lower, wash sýndrome synécdochê -kê sýnod syrínge sýrup sýstem T = têa drink tábleau *táblô, plural tábleaux, *táblôze tâilor clothes = Tâylor person tâle story = tâil animal Táliban or Táleban Taîwàn tålk -åk; more examples in retroalphabetical list Tállíín -íí- as í tálon Tánzanìa taoìseach *têeshək táriff *tárrif tárôt rhymes with árrôw tāsk cf. túsk Tâte = Tâit tattoô tåut firm = tåught teach Tbilìsi *Təblêezy - neither spelt nor pronounced ‘Tibilisi’ Tchaikóvsky redundant T: *Chŷkóffsky têa drink = têe golf = tì do-re-mi têam game = têem pour téãr paper têar cry têase provoke = têas tea têenager one word teetôtaller AmE teetôtaler Tehràn - é or è; or Teheràn Tél Avìv télephône teléphony télevísion -ízhn télly ténant *ténnent téndency ténor sound = ténner money tërn bird = türn round Terpsíchore rhymes with híckory Terpsichŏrean Tërpsik- térrorism testósterone téther - no a th- respelt as dh- where voiced Thaî nationality = tîe knot, score Thaîland *Tŷlənd Thames *Témz than - only thán at dictation speed thát dh-; as a demonstrative it has the á sound, but when a conjunction or relative pronoun it is normally schwa *dhət: Î dôn’t thínk that thát was the sâme mán that câme befŏre thåw freeze = BrE Thŏr god the *dhə: the schwa sound before a following consonant, thê before a following vowel; in other circumstances thê is mannered, as with â for the indefinite article thêatre - a as schwa: *thêəter; AmE -ter théir them dh- = thére here = théy’re are: *thãir Thêodore thêorem thêory thérefore dh- thêse this -z thêsês thesis -ssêez thèy dh- thìêf thìêves thínk thís dh- Thómas Tó- Thómpson, Thómson Tó- thŏrn rose, letter þ thòrough exacting *thúrra, cf. throûgh thòu you *dhòu thôugh although *dhô thŏught think *thåwt thŏught-provôking hyphenated thréat thréepence or *thrùpence or *thrúppence thréshold threŵ throw thrôes anguish = thrôws throw thrône queen = thrôwn throw throûgh preposition = threw throw = thrû informal American spelling of throûgh; cf. thòrough throughòut all over one word = threŵ òut throw out, w sounded thrôw toss thrôwn throw = thrône king thúmb -m thús dh- thwårt thŷme herb = tîme clock tîde sea = tîed tie tîe knot, level = Thaî nation, cf. tŷing tìêr rank = têar cry, cf. téar rip tîer tie tíff tîger cf. Nigér *Nizhãir tîghten tight = tîtan giant = Tîtan Saturn Tîgris tíll until, field tîme hours = thyme herb tîmetable one word; cf. tîmes tâbles Tìmor tínpot adjective Tintágel -j- tîre tired, AmE car = tŷre BrE car = Tŷre Lebanon tîtan giant = tîghten tight = Tîtan Saturn títillate *títtilate tîtle títtle-tattle tmêsis to preposition *tə; when stressed, especially before a vowel = toô also, much, tŵo 2 tôad animal = tôwed tow tôaster toast = Tôcester England to-do fight = to do do *tədû tôe foot = tôw pull tóffee *tóffy tôga’ed tôld tell = tôlled toll, cf. åll tôld tólerance tôll tómahawk cf. Tómmy tomb *toôm tòn avoirdupois = tònne metric = tún cask Tónga - g sound optional tòngue *túng, cf. tóng tongs toô much = to at, tŵo number tópple tópsy-türvy tŏrment noun = tormént verb tornâdos cf. potâtoes tŏrturous torture tŏrtûous twisting Tóttenham *Tótnəm toúch cf. pòuch toúgh hard = túff rock Touloûse France ≈ to lose lost toûr toûr de fŏrce Toûr de Frànce tòusle -zle tòut tôw rope = tôe digit tòwel tòwer building tôwer tow tráffic cf. gráphic trâil cf. trîal trâiler cf. tâilor trâit character = trây flat trajéctory tranquíllity AmE -íli transpárent cf. pãrent transséxual -ss- traumátic -åu- trêat trêatíse study = trêatíes treaty tréspass -əss *trésspass trîal cf. trâil tríbûne trîbûnal trîénnial trígger-háppy trîumph tróglodyte trombône troôp army = troûpe stage troôper army = troûper stage troúble rhymes with búbble, doúble tróugh -óff tròunce trûe trûly *trûely trûth unvoiced -th trûths -dhz trŷ trýst Tsàr or Czàr *Zàr tsétsê, tsunàmi - it makes little difference whether or not one attempts to pronounce the initial t Tûcsón *Tûsón tûne *cheŵn Tûnis Chûníss Tunisia BrE Chû-níziə, AmE Toô-nêezhə túnnel türn round = tërn bird túppence = twopence Türkêy country = türkêy bird türmoil Tutankhàmun TV *têevêe tẁaddle twêezers cf. têaser *têezer twërp tŵo 2 *tû = to at = toô also, much tŷing from tîe tyránnical týranny tŷrant tŷre car AmE tîre car, tired = Tŷre Lebanon Û = yoû person UÈFA *yu-wâfə uhúh Uìghur *Wêeger ukelèlê yû- Ukrâine Yû-; -âine, not -âne umbílical ún- not hyphenated úndergròund adjective before noun, one word; otherwise under gròund underrâted -rr- understánd one word undertâke únder wây two words undo -û ÛNICEF YÛ- únidéntified ûnîted yû- unknôwn - silent k, so two n’s sounded unnôticed - two n’s sounded úprŏar ür- original = ër pause Urânus *Yərânəss: *Yùrənəss is a euphemism ürban town urbâne civilised ürchin Ürdu ûríne yû- urînal yû- ürn bury = ëarn money = ërne eagle Ürquhart *Ürkət, Ürcàrt, *Ïrk-heàrt Ùruguay Yù- ÛS America *yû-wéss, cf. ús we ûse noun *yoôss as in ẁhat ís the ûse? verb *yoôz as in ûse mîne ûsed use *yoôzd as in ûsed cars; habituated *yoôst as in Î’m ûsed to thát and wê ûsed to gô thére Ûtàh *yû- Utôpia Yû- cf. eûlogy, also yû- V = Vêe person váccine *váxín, cf. tóxin vácûous *vákyûwəss vácûum *váckyûme vâin proud = vâne weather = vèin blood válue válve vápid vâpour AmE vâpor vãry cf. véry, é not followed by schwa vàse BrE *vàz, AmE *vâyss, rhyming with bâse Våughan = Våughn *Våwn Vauxhall *Vóxåll vêer végetable -jt- vêhicle - -hi- as schwa: *vìəcle vèil face = vâle valley vèin blood = vâin proud = vâne weather Venêtian -êshən Venezuèla *Venezwâyla véngeance cf. vindíctive Véníce *Vénnis, cf. ténnis vénison - i can be silent; s can be z vénûe Vênus verbâtim vermílion -l-, cf. míllion Vérsaîlles *Vãir-sŷe vërsus against *vërssəss ≈ vërses verse *vërsíz véry *vérry, cf. vãry, longer sound véterinary *vétinary véx vîa vicãrious vîce-président the hyphen differentiates from vîce président which would theoretically mean ‘president of vice’ vichyssoise *víshy-swàz vícious *víshus, cf víscous víctual *víttle Vìénna Vìênnêse Vìêtnām one word *VietNām vieŵ rendundant i: *vyû, *veŵ, cf. feŵ, etc. vieŵpoint one word vígorous vígour AmE vígor vîle vílify víllage -íj víllain -an vindaloô vindíctive cf. véngeance vîne vínegar víneyard vînyl *vînəl vîôla music vîola plant = Vîola person vîolate vîolent vîolet violín Vïrgo vïrtue good = Vërtue person vis-a-vìs vis-à-vis *vizavêe vísceral *vísseral víscous -sk-, cf. vícious vísible vísion *vízhən vítamin Vívian = Vývyan = Vívien = Vývien = Vívienne vódka vólley voluntêer W *doúble-û wácky cf. wháck ẁad ẁaffle wág wágon - ´waggon’ is French wâil cry = BrE whâle sea wâist body = wâste spend wâit time = wèight heavy = Wâite person wâive dismiss = wâve hand, sea Wâles Welsh = BrE whâles sea wålk -åk; more examples in retroalphabetical list wåll Ẁallace = Ẁallis rhyming with Hóllis Wallônia Wó- Walloôn Wó- wålrus Wåltham -təm wåltz *wålse ẁan pale *wón cf. wòn win ẁander roam cf. wònder what? wâne less = Wâyne person = wâin wagon ẁannabê cf. ẁallaby ẁant desire cf. wôn’t will not wår battle = wŏre wear wãrehouse cf. whŏrehouse h- wãres market = weãrs clothes wårhéad one word wårm hot cf. wörm wriggle wårn caution = wŏrn wear = Wårne person wårt ẁarrant *wórrənt ẁarranty cf. guarantêe from same root wårring ẁarrior cf. wòrrier Ẁarrington *Wórrington, cf. Dórrington, Nórrington wårt Ẁarwick *Wórrick wãry ẁas *wóz ẁash Ẁashington ẁasp wâste loss = wâist body ẁatchtòwer one word wåter cf. Wålter ẁatt electricity = BrE ẁhat question ẁattage *wóttij wâvelength one word wê us = wêe little, toilet wêak feeble = wêek days wêal mark = BrE whêel traffic wéapon wéar clothes = wâre shop Wêar River = Wêir person = wêir water, rhyming with êar, hêar and fêar wêary wéather cloudy = wéther ram = BrE whéther if wébsite one word Wédnesday Wénz- wèigh heavy = wây route, manner = BrE whèy curds wèight heavy = wâit time wêir water = Wêir person = wê’re are, cf. wìêld, fìêld wêird odd cf. wìêld carry wê’ll shall cf. wéll good wén lump = BrE whén time wëre was cf. whére place, wê’re are wêrewolf or wêrwolf -wùlf wéther animal = wéather rain = BrE whéther if wê’re are wh- BrE w-, AmE hw- wháck cf. wácky whâle sea BrE = wâil cry whám ẁhat question BrE = wót jocular = ẁatt electric whêedle whêel round BrE = wêal mark whén time BrE = wén tumour whére place cf. wëre was whereás one word, *wéəráz whét appetite BrE = wét water whéther if BrE = wéather rain = wéther ram whèy curds BrE = wèigh weight = wây method whîne moan BrE = wîne drink whínge -nj, cf. wíng whïrl whïrlwind one word whïrr noise BrE = wëre be whísky or whískey whísper whístle *whíssle whít small = Whít Whitsun BrE = wít humour whîte colour BrE = Wîght Isle whîteẁash one word whíther where BrE = wíther decay Whítsun *Wítson who person *hoô, cf. WHO World Health Organisation *doúble-yoû-âitch-ô whôle all = hôle gap whôlesâle h-, one word whôlly completely two l’s pronounced; ≈ hôly sacred – where only one l is pronounced whoôping-cóugh hoô- whoòps! whoòsh rhymes with pùsh whópping big = Ẁapping London whŏre prostitute = hŏar frost = Hŏare person whose belonging = who’s who is/has *hoôz whŷ wícked evil *wíckíd cf. wíki wícked wick *wíct Wíckham = Wýcombe wìêld cf. wêir, wêird Wikipêdia wîles stratagems cf. whîle during wílful AmE can be wíllful: in most words it is the BrE spelling which has the double l before a suffix, as in dîalling wíll verb = Wíll William wílly-nílly wîly wînd round wínd blow wíndbag one word wîne drink = whîne moan Wiscónsin wísp wít humour = BrE whít small = Whít Whitsun wítch-húnt wíther decay = whíther where withhéld second h aspirated withhôld second h aspirated withín one word withòut one word Wodehouse PG = Woòdhouse Emma, etc. wôe sad = whôa horse wók wolf *wùlf = Woòlf person woman *wùmən women *wímmin wòn game = òne only wònder what? cf. ẁander roam wòndrous wónky wôn’t will not = wônt habit, cf. ẁant require woòd tree = woùld if woòlly wool = Woòlley person Worcester England = Woòster Wodehouse wörd cf. wård wörkingmán in AmE can be one word, BrE wörking mán wörld wŏrldwide one word wörm wòrry wörship cf. wårship Worcester *Wùster wŏre wear = wår fight wörse wörsted worst worsted cloth wû- wörth woùld if = woòd tree would-be adjective hyphenated woûnd injury wòund wînd wòw excitement cf. wôe depression wráck pain = ráck frame, stretch wráp parcel = ráp knock, speak ẁrath anger = Róth person wrêak make = rêek smell, cf. wréck collapse, réckless careless wrêath noun unvoiced th as in bréath - note different vowel sound wrêathe verb voiced th, as in brêathe wréck cf. réckless wrést wrestle = rést repose wrétch miserable = rétch sick 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 one word, *róngdûing wróng-foòt verb wrôte write = rôte learning wrúng wring = rúng ring, ladder wrŷ humour = rŷe crop wrŷlỳ wry = Rîley person wùff Wŷatt *Wŷət, cf. whîte xénophobe z- xenophôbia zé- X = éx- past Xénophon author Z-; ‘xénophône’ if it existed would mean a speaker of a foreign language Xêrox z- Xhôsa k- X-ray *éxrây xŷlophone z- Y = whŷ reason yacht *yót yê you yeâ yes yéah yes *yé yêar or yëar yëarn Yeâts poet = Yâtes more common spelling yeôman Yeôvil yeŵ tree = yoû me = eŵe sheep yìêld yôke oxen = yôlk egg yŏre days = yŏur you yoúng your my = you’re I’m = yŏre past yoû’ll or yŏu’ll or yoù’ll Z BrE zéd, AmE zêe zêal zéalot zébra or zêbra zeîtgeîst zénith Zeûs Zìa zígzág zíp Zôê *Zôwỳ zoô zoólogy avoiding triple letter: *zoô-ólogy or *zuólogy or *zoôwology zoôt Zûlu Zûrich -k ’em them = um hmmm *əm ’tís and ’tẁas - poetic use of initial apostrophe, replacing omitted initial í of ít ís and ít ẁas and shaped like 9, not 6