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