English spellings/Catalogs/B: Difference between revisions

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


'''B''' = '''bê''' ''is'' = '''bêe''' ''insect''
'''B''' = '''bê''' ''is'' = '''bêe''' ''insect''


'''B-sîde''', *bêesîde, cf. '''besîde
'''B-sîde''', *bêeside, cf. '''besîde


'''bàa''' ''sheep'' = '''bàh''' ''exclamation'' = BrE '''bàr''' ''drink, chocolate, soap''
'''bàa''' ''sheep'' = '''bàh''' ''exclamation'' = BrE '''bàr''' ''drink, chocolate, soap''
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'''Bábylón'''
'''Bábylón'''


'''Bàch''' ''music'' = '''bàch''' ''Welsh''
'''Bàch''' ''music'' = '''bàch''' ''Welsh'' *Bàkh


'''báchelor''' ''unmarried'' = '''Bátchelor''' ''person''
'''báchelor''' ''unmarried'' = '''Bátchelor'''  


'''backbénch''' ''adjective'' one word
'''backbénch''' ''adjective'' one word
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'''bád''' ''evil'' = '''báde''' ''asked''
'''bád''' ''evil'' = '''báde''' ''asked''
'''bádly''' = '''Báddeley'''


'''Bágehot''' = '''Bádgett
'''Bágehot''' = '''Bádgett
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'''Baghdád''' BrE; AmE '''Bághdad''' Bágd-
'''Baghdád''' BrE; AmE '''Bághdad''' Bágd-


'''Bahrâin''': it is becoming more common in careful speech to sound the [[Arabic language|Arabic]] '''h''' separately after '''àh'''—a hypercorrect [[spelling pronunciation]], as the '''hr''' consonant pairing does not occur in native English words
'''Bahàmas'''
 
'''Bahrâin''' *Bàa-râin; sometimes an [[Arabic language|Arabic]] '''h''' is sounded separately at the end of '''àh''', producing a hypercorrect [[spelling pronunciation]] '''hr''' not heard elsewhere in English—though this is comparable to people with names like '''Mahmoôd''' having their aitches pronounced


'''bâil''' ''law, cricket'' = '''bâle''' ''hay, parachute''
'''bâil''' ''law, cricket'' = '''bâle''' ''hay, parachute''
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'''bâize''' ''cloth'' = '''bâys''' ''bay''
'''bâize''' ''cloth'' = '''bâys''' ''bay''
'''Bâkelîte''' has '''e''' as syllablic [[schwa]]: *Bâykəlite, BrE *Bâkerlîght
'''bâker'''
'''bálance''' = '''Bállance'''
'''Bálfour''' *Bálfer


'''Bálham''' *Bállum
'''Bálham''' *Bállum
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'''bállèt''' *bállây, cf. '''bállot
'''bállèt''' *bállây, cf. '''bállot
'''Bâlliol'''


'''bàlm''' -àm
'''bàlm''' -àm
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'''banāna
'''banāna


'''bánd''' ''music'' = '''bánned''' ''ban''
'''bánd''' ''group'', ''round'' = '''bánned''' ''ban''


'''bandôneon'''
'''bandôneon'''


'''bándwagon''' ''one word  
'''bándwagon''' one word  


'''Bangkók''' cf. '''Háncóck''', both -ngk-
'''Bangkók''' cf. '''Háncock''', both -ngkó-


'''Bangladésh''' *Báng-gla-désh; *Bàng-gla-dèsh is a more local pronunciation
'''Bangladésh''' *Báng-gla-désh; *Bàng-gla-dèsh is a more local pronunciation
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'''bánish
'''bánish


'''[[Barack Obama|Baràck''' ''Obama'']] = '''[[Ehud Barak|Baràk''' ''Ehud'']]: some British broadcasters pronounce Obama's first name like '''bárrack''', others say "Baráck"; [[Michelle Obama]] has a joke about "Barack-oli" = '''bróccoli''' (in [[American English]], '''à''' = '''ó''')
[[Barack Obama|'''Baràck''' ''Obama'']] = [[Ehud Barak|'''Baràk''' ''Ehud'']]: According to [[Michelle Obama]], "Barack-oli" sounds like '''bróccoli''' (in [[American English]], '''ó''' = '''à'''), but many British speakers routinely mispronounce it as '''bárrack'''


'''Bàrbara''' cf. '''Barbéra
'''Bàrbara''' cf. '''Barbéra
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'''barbáric
'''barbáric


'''bàrbecûe''' *bàrbeqûe is a common error
'''bàrbecûe''' (is *bàrbeqûe, which looks like it's pronounced "barbêek", now an acceptable alternative?)<ref>https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/may/03/jeremy-corbyn-bernie-sanders-labour-leader</ref>


'''Bàrça''', short for '''Barcelôna
'''Bàrça''', short for '''Barcelôna
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'''Bàrclay''' *Bàrcly
'''Bàrclay''' *Bàrcly


'''Bàrclay's''' *Bàrclíz
'''Bàrclays''' *Bàrclyz


'''bàrd''' ''poet, bacon'' = '''bàrred''' ''bar''
'''bàrd''' ''poet, bacon'' = '''bàrred''' ''bar''
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'''bàrnacle
'''bàrnacle
'''bàrns''' = '''Bàrnes'''


'''Bàrnstaple
'''Bàrnstaple
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'''[[Durão Barroso|Barrôso]]''' -zu
'''[[Durão Barroso|Barrôso]]''' -zu
'''bárrow''' = '''Bárrow'''


'''bàrtender
'''bàrtender
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'''bāsk''' ''sun'' = '''Bāsque''' ''people''
'''bāsk''' ''sun'' = '''Bāsque''' ''people''


'''bāsketball''' ''one word
'''bāsketball''' one word


'''báss''' ''fish'' = '''Báss''' ''person''
'''báss''' ''fish'' = '''Báss''' ''person''
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'''bāth''' = '''Bāth''' ''city'' cf. '''bâthe''' ''swim'', ''final e signifying voiced'' '''th
'''bāth''' = '''Bāth''' ''city'' cf. '''bâthe''' ''swim'', ''final e signifying voiced'' '''th


'''bátón''', one '''t''', cf. '''Pátton''', '''Hátton''' etc.
'''bátón''' BrE, AmE '''batón'''; one '''t''', cf. '''Pátton''', '''Hátton''' etc.
 
'''Báton Roûge''' *Bátn Rûzh


'''báttlefield''' one word  
'''báttlefield''' one word  
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'''båulk''' (mostly British, ''billiards'' spelling of '''bålk''')
'''båulk''' (mostly British, ''billiards'' spelling of '''bålk''')
'''Bavãria'''


'''båwdy
'''båwdy
'''Báx''' ''person'' = '''bácks''' ''back''


'''Baŷer''', '''Baŷern
'''Baŷer''', '''Baŷern


'''Báx''' ''person'' = '''bácks''' ''back''
'''bazàar''' *bəzàr, cf. '''bizàrre''', *bí-zàr


'''bazàar''' *bəzàr, cf. '''bizàrre''', '''í
'''Bà’ath''' ''party'' BrE = '''bāth''' ''water''


'''Bà’ath''' ''party'' BrE = '''bāth''' ''water''
'''bdéllium''' dé-


'''bê''' ''is'' = '''bêe''' ''insect''
'''bê''' ''is'' = '''bêe''' ''insect''
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'''bêater''' ''beat'' BrE = '''bêta''' ''Greek
'''bêater''' ''beat'' BrE = '''bêta''' ''Greek
'''beatífic''' bêə-


'''beátify''' ''saint'' *bê-át-, cf. '''Sêáttle''' *Sê-áttle and '''beaûtify''' ''beauty'' byû-
'''beátify''' ''saint'' *bê-át-, cf. '''Sêáttle''' *Sê-áttle and '''beaûtify''' ''beauty'' byû-
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'''beau''' ''boyfriend'' = '''Bô''' ''[[Bo Diddley|Diddley]]''
'''beau''' ''boyfriend'' = '''Bô''' ''[[Bo Diddley|Diddley]]''
'''Beaûliêu''' ''England'' = '''Beŵlêy'''


'''beaûty''' *byûty, rhymes and forms a [[minimal pair]] with '''dûty
'''beaûty''' *byûty, rhymes and forms a [[minimal pair]] with '''dûty
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'''béckon'''
'''béckon'''
'''Bédouín


'''bêe''' ''insect'' = '''bê''' ''is''
'''bêe''' ''insect'' = '''bê''' ''is''


'''bêech''' ''tree'' = '''beâch''' ''sand''
'''bêech''' ''tree'' = '''beâch''' ''sand''
'''Beélzêbúb''' Bêe-él-


'''bêen''' ''was'' = '''bêan''' ''eat''
'''bêen''' ''was'' = '''bêan''' ''eat''
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'''befŏrehand''' one word
'''befŏrehand''' one word
'''bég'''
'''Bègg''' = '''Bâig'''


'''behālf''' *bihāf
'''behālf''' *bihāf
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'''behâve
'''behâve


'''behêmoth''' *bəhêməth or '''bêhemoth''' *bêəməth
'''behêmoth''' *bəhêməth or '''bêhemóth''' or *bêəməth


'''behôve''' BrE; AmE '''behoôve
'''behôve''' BrE; AmE '''behoôve
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'''Beirût''' *Bây-roôt
'''Beirût''' *Bây-roôt


'''[[Belarus|Belarûs]]''': this post-Soviet word (once literally rendered as 'White Russia', and still called 'Weißrussland' in German) still shows only occasional signs of regularising to *Bélərəs, comparable to Latinate names like '''Pándarus''' and '''Cërberus'''; probably  the most common pronunciation is *Belərûs (*Bélla Roôse); also *Belərùs, *Byélə-rûs, etc. Similarly with adjectives: '''[[Belarussian|Belarússian]]''', '''Belarûsian''', and '''Belarûsan'''
'''[[Belarus|Bélarùs]]''': once literally rendered as 'White Russia', and still 'Weißrussland' in German, this post-Soviet word should eventually regularise to *Bélərəs, comparable to Latinate names like '''Pándarus''' and '''Cërberus''', but it hasn't happened yet and the pronunciation is still in the process of shifting away from '''Belarûs''' *Bélla Roôse
 
'''Belarûsian''', '''Bélorússian''', etc.


'''Bélfāst
'''Bélfāst
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<nowiki>*</nowiki>belŷ '''belîe'''
<nowiki>*</nowiki>belŷ '''belîe'''
'''bêma'''


'''Bénaud''' *Bénnô
'''Bénaud''' *Bénnô
'''bénchmark''' one word


'''bénefit
'''bénefit
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'''Berlín''' but usually transferred stress in '''Bërlin Wåll
'''Berlín''' but usually transferred stress in '''Bërlin Wåll
'''Bërnard''' BrE; AmE '''Bernàrd'''


'''Bérne''' ''Switzerland'' = '''bãirn''' ''baby'', or = '''bürn''' ''fire, brook
'''Bérne''' ''Switzerland'' = '''bãirn''' ''baby'', or = '''bürn''' ''fire, brook
'''Bërnsteîn''' ''Leonard'', '''Bërnstêin''' ''Elmer'', ''Carl''


'''bérry''' ''fruit'' = '''bury''' ''ground'' = '''Bury''' ''town'' = '''Bérry''' ''person
'''bérry''' ''fruit'' = '''bury''' ''ground'' = '''Bury''' ''town'' = '''Bérry''' ''person


'''bërth''' ''ship'' = '''bïrth''' ''born
'''bërth''' ''ship'' = '''bïrth''' ''born
'''bêsom'''


'''bêta''' BrE; AmE '''bèta
'''bêta''' BrE; AmE '''bèta
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'''Bétjeman''' *Bétcheman
'''Bétjeman''' *Bétcheman
'''Bétte''' ''Midler'' = '''bét'''; '''Béttê''' ''Davis'' = '''Bétty'''


'''béverage''' = '''Béveridge
'''béverage''' = '''Béveridge
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'''bezìque''' *bəzêek
'''bezìque''' *bəzêek
'''Bèzôs''' ''Jeff'' (BrE '''Bèzós''')


'''Bhutàn'''
'''Bhutàn'''
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'''bîased''' (one '''s''')  *bîəst
'''bîased''' (one '''s''')  *bîəst
'''bíb''' ''cloth'' = '''bíbb''' ''lettuce''
'''Bícester''' *Bíster


'''bìdet''' *bêedây
'''bìdet''' *bêedây
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'''bìêr''' ''corpse'' = '''bêer''' ''drink''
'''bìêr''' ''corpse'' = '''bêer''' ''drink''


'''bîght''' ''loop'' = '''bîte''' ''teeth
'''bîght''' ''loop'' = '''bîte''' ''teeth'' = '''bŷte''' ''computer''


'''bígot''' rhymes with '''[[Lester Piggott|Píggott]]
'''bígot''' rhymes with '''[[Lester Piggott|Píggott]]
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'''bïrthplace''' one word  
'''bïrthplace''' one word  
'''Bíscay'''


'''bíscuit''' *bísket makes a minimal pair with '''bāsket
'''bíscuit''' *bísket makes a minimal pair with '''bāsket


'''bîson''' cf. '''bâsin
'''bîson''' cf. '''bâsin
'''bísque''' *bísc


'''bít''', past tense of '''bîte''', as well as a noun meaning ''piece''
'''bít''', past tense of '''bîte''', as well as a noun meaning ''piece''
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'''blónd''' ''male person, male and female adjective'' = '''blónde''' ''female person''
'''blónd''' ''male person, male and female adjective'' = '''blónde''' ''female person''


'''blòodstained''' ''one word
'''blòod''' *blúdd
 
'''blòodstained''' one word


'''blòodthirsty''' ''one word  
'''blòodthirsty''' one word  


'''blûe''' ''colour'' = '''bleŵ''' ''blow''
'''blûe''' ''colour'' = '''bleŵ''' ''blow''
'''blûeprint''' one word


'''blürred''' cf. '''cûred
'''blürred''' cf. '''cûred
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'''bôast
'''bôast


'''bôat
'''bôat''' makes a [[minimal pair]] with '''vôte'''


'''Boàteng''' Bwà-
'''Boàteng''' Bwà-
'''bódíce'''
'''bódy'''


'''[[John Boehner|Boèhner]]''' *Bâyner cf. '''[[Matt Groening|Groèning]]''' *Grâyning
'''[[John Boehner|Boèhner]]''' *Bâyner cf. '''[[Matt Groening|Groèning]]''' *Grâyning
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'''Bŏisê''' *Bŏicey
'''Bŏisê''' *Bŏicey
'''Bóko Haràm''', or '''Bôko''', or '''Harám''', cf. '''Prôcol Hàrum'''


'''bôld''' ''brave'' = '''bôwled''' ''bowl
'''bôld''' ''brave'' = '''bôwled''' ''bowl
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'''bôle''' ''tree'' = '''bôwl
'''bôle''' ''tree'' = '''bôwl
'''Boleýn'''


'''Bólingbroke''' ends like '''broòk
'''Bólingbroke''' ends like '''broòk
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'''bómb''' *bóm
'''bómb''' *bóm
'''bombàrd'''
'''bombardìer'''


'''Bombây'''
'''Bombây'''
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'''bonhomìê''', '''bonhommìê''' *bónóm-êe
'''bonhomìê''', '''bonhommìê''' *bónóm-êe
'''Bóno'''
'''bónobo''', '''bonôbo'''


'''boôgie-woôgie  
'''boôgie-woôgie  
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'''boor''' ''rude'' = '''Boer''' ''South Africa'' *bùer or '''bŏre''' ''boring
'''boor''' ''rude'' = '''Boer''' ''South Africa'' *bùer or '''bŏre''' ''boring
'''boôs''' ''boo'' = '''boôze''' ''drink''


'''boôst
'''boôst


'''[[Bootes|Boôtes]]''' *Bwôtêz often has a diaeresis: '''Boötes
'''[[Bootes|Boôtes]]''' *Bwôtêz often has a diaeresis: '''Boötes
'''boôth''' = '''Boôth''' = '''Boôthe'''


'''boôty''' ''spoils'' = '''boôtie''' ''boot
'''boôty''' ''spoils'' = '''boôtie''' ''boot
Line 526: Line 609:
'''Bŏrgia''' *Bŏrjə
'''Bŏrgia''' *Bŏrjə


'''bŏrn''' ''birth'' = '''bŏrne''' ''wind'' = '''bŏurn''' ''stream
'''bŏrn''' ''birth'' = '''bŏrne''' ''wind, out'' = '''bŏurn''' ''stream


'''bòrough''' ''town'' BrE -rə, AmE = '''búrrow''' ''earth'', cf. '''bórrow''' ''lend''
'''bòrough''' ''town'' BrE -rə (*búrra), AmE = '''búrrow''' ''earth'', cf. '''bórrow''' ''lend''


'''bosom''' *bùzəm
'''bosom''' *bùzəm
'''Bósporus''', or '''Bósphorus''' = '''phósphorus'''


'''bôth
'''bôth
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'''Bóugh''' *Bóff
'''Bóugh''' *Bóff
'''böught''' *båwt


'''bôulder''' ''rock'' = '''bôlder''' ''bold'' = '''Bôulder''' ''Colorado
'''bôulder''' ''rock'' = '''bôlder''' ''bold'' = '''Bôulder''' ''Colorado
'''Boûléz''', '''z''' sounded


'''Boulogne''' *Bəlŏin
'''Boulogne''' *Bəlŏin
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'''Bŏyd''' = '''buŏyed''' ''lifted
'''Bŏyd''' = '''buŏyed''' ''lifted
'''brâe''' ''hill'' = '''brây''' ''donkey''


'''brâin''' ''head'' cf. '''Brîan''' ''person''
'''brâin''' ''head'' cf. '''Brîan''' ''person''
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'''brâinchîld''' one word  
'''brâinchîld''' one word  


'''brâinwash''' one word  
'''brâinwash''' one word
 
'''bránd'''
 
'''Brándeîs''' ends with '''îce'''


'''Brasília''' with an '''s''' pronounced '''z''', '''Brazíl''' with a '''z''': both have a buzzing '''s''' in the original [[Portuguese language|Portuguese]], but the former, a later import, preserves the original spelling  
'''Brasília''' with an '''s''' pronounced '''z''', '''Brazíl''' with a '''z''': both have a buzzing '''s''' in the original [[Portuguese language|Portuguese]], but the former, a later import, preserves the original spelling  
'''Brazíl''' ''country'' = '''Brazíle'''


'''Brazílian'''
'''Brazílian'''
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'''bréast''' = '''Brést
'''bréast''' = '''Brést


'''bréath''' ''noun'' unvoiced '''th''', '''brêathe''' ''verb'' voiced '''th''', cf. '''mòuth''', same noun-verb distinction in pronunciation of the '''th''', but always the same spelling
'''bréath''' ''noun'' unvoiced '''th''', '''brêathe''' ''verb'' voiced '''th''', cf. '''mòuth''', same noun-verb distinction in pronunciation of the '''th''', but always the same spelling, no *mòuthe


'''bréathtaking''' ''adjective'' one word  
'''bréathtaking''' ''adjective'' one word  
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'''brêed''' ''animal'' cf. '''bréad''' ''food''
'''brêed''' ''animal'' cf. '''bréad''' ''food''
'''Breîtbart''' *Brîghtbart


'''Breîvik''' (*Brŷvik) is closest to the native pronunciation of [[Anders Behring Breivik]], but most English speakers say "Brèivik" (*Brâyvik)
'''Breîvik''' (*Brŷvik) is closest to the native pronunciation of [[Anders Behring Breivik]], but most English speakers say "Brèivik" (*Brâyvik)
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'''breŵ
'''breŵ
'''Bréxit'''
'''Bréxiter''', or '''Brexitêer''', after '''musketêer''' ('''''The Thrêe Musketêers''''')
'''Brextrêmist'''


'''Brîan''' = '''Brŷan''', cf. '''brâin''', '''O'Brîen''' (one is more likely to meet a Brian O'Brien than a Brien O'Brian)
'''Brîan''' = '''Brŷan''', cf. '''brâin''', '''O'Brîen''' (one is more likely to meet a Brian O'Brien than a Brien O'Brian)


'''brìêf
'''brìêf
'''Brídget''' makes a [[minimal pair]] with '''Brígid'''


'''brîght''' -ît
'''brîght''' -ît
'''brîghten''' = '''Brîghton'''


'''Brísbane''' *Brízbən, rhymes with '''Lísbon
'''Brísbane''' *Brízbən, rhymes with '''Lísbon
Line 632: Line 741:
'''bróccolì''' *bróckəlêy
'''bróccolì''' *bróckəlêy


'''brôchure''' BrE *brôsher, '''brochûre''' AmE *brô-shûre
'''Brómwich''' *Brómmidge
'''Brómwich''' *Brómmidge


'''Brónte''' *Brónty; often written '''Brontë
'''Brónte''' *Brónty; often written '''''Brontë''''' (some say "Bróntây")


'''broôch'''  ''pin'' AmE; BrE = '''brôach''' ''speak''
'''broôch'''  ''pin'' AmE; BrE = '''brôach''' ''speak''
Line 668: Line 779:
'''Brússels
'''Brússels


'''Buchánan''' Bùk-
'''Brzezínski''' ''Zbigniew'' *Brzinski


'''Bucharést''' Bùk-
'''Búchan''' *Búkhən


'''búck''', '''Búck''' cf. '''boòk''', '''búxom
'''Buchánan''' *Bùkánan
 
'''Bucharést''' *Bùkerést
 
'''búck''' = '''Búck''' cf. '''boòk''', '''búxom


'''búd''' = '''Búd
'''búd''' = '''Búd
'''Budapést''' *Bùdapést


'''búddy''' = '''Búddy
'''búddy''' = '''Búddy
'''Budapést


'''Bùddha''' -ùdə (cf. original spelling of '''[[Buddha Records|Bùddah Récords]]''')
'''Bùddha''' -ùdə (cf. original spelling of '''[[Buddha Records|Bùddah Récords]]''')
Line 705: Line 820:


'''bùll
'''bùll
'''bùlldôzer


'''bùlletin
'''bùlletin
Line 718: Line 835:
'''Búnsen bürner
'''Búnsen bürner
   
   
'''buŏy''' ''sea'' = '''bŏy''' ''child
'''buŏy''' ''sea'' BrE = '''bŏy''' ''child''; '''bûoy''' ''sea'' AmE *bûêe


'''buŏyant''' *bŏyant
'''buŏyant''' *bŏyant
Line 733: Line 850:


'''bürgeoning
'''bürgeoning
'''burial''' *bérrial, from '''bury'''
'''Burkìna Fáso''' -ss-


'''[[Burma|Bürma]]
'''[[Burma|Bürma]]
Line 754: Line 875:
'''búsing''' -ss-
'''búsing''' -ss-


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


'''businessman''' one word, bíz-
'''businessman''' one word, bíz-
Line 764: Line 885:
'''busybody''' *bízzybódy-, one word  
'''busybody''' *bízzybódy-, one word  


'''busy-ness''' ''busy'' cf. '''business''' ''matter'', both bíz-
'''busy-ness, busyness''' ''busy'' cf. '''business''' ''affair, money'', both bíz-


'''bûte''' ''drug'' = '''beaût''' ''beautiful'' = '''Bûte''' ''Scotland
'''bûte''' ''drug'' = '''beaût''' ''beautiful'' = '''Bûte''' ''Scotland
Line 790: Line 911:
'''Bÿrd''' ''person'' = '''bïrd''' ''fly''
'''Bÿrd''' ''person'' = '''bïrd''' ''fly''


'''Býzantîne''', '''Býzantìne''', *Bŷ-zántîne, *Bŷ-zántíne
'''bŷte''' ''computer'' = '''bîte''' ''teeth'' = '''bîght''' ''bay''
 
'''Býzantîne''', '''Býzantìne''', *Bŷ-zántîne, *Bŷ-zántíne; can be '''b'''- when meaning ''intricate


'''Byzántìum''' *Bŷ-zántìəm
'''Byzántìum''' *Bŷ-zántìəm

Latest revision as of 11:34, 27 July 2017

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Use in English
Alphabetical word list
Retroalphabetical list  
Common misspellings  


This page lists pronunciations of English words that begin with B. To see a different letter navigate with the table above. The apostrophe is treated as the last letter of the alphabet, after Z.

For a pronunciation key, click on the blue "Catalogs" link below the article title.[e]

B = bê is = bêe insect

B-sîde, *bêeside, cf. besîde

bàa sheep = bàh exclamation = BrE bàr drink, chocolate, soap

Bà'ath party BrE = bāth water = Bāth city

baboôn

bâby-boômer

Bábylón

Bàch music = bàch Welsh *Bàkh

báchelor unmarried = Bátchelor

backbénch adjective one word

báckbiting one word

backfîre one word

báckhand tennis

back-hánded ambiguous

bácklash one word

bácklog one word

báckstab one word

backyàrd one word

bád evil = báde asked

bádly = Báddeley

Bágehot = Bádgett

Baghdád BrE; AmE Bághdad Bágd-

Bahàmas

Bahrâin *Bàa-râin; sometimes an Arabic h is sounded separately at the end of àh, producing a hypercorrect spelling pronunciation hr not heard elsewhere in English—though this is comparable to people with names like Mahmoôd having their aitches pronounced

bâil law, cricket = bâle hay, parachute

bâilie magistrate = Bâiley person (also Ôld Bâiley, London's law court)

bâit hook = bâte fury, restrain

bâize cloth = bâys bay

Bâkelîte has e as syllablic schwa: *Bâykəlite, BrE *Bâkerlîght

bâker

bálance = Bállance

Bálfour *Bálfer

Bálham *Bállum

Bàli island = BrE bàrley beer

bålk

Bålkans cf. bálcony

båll game = båwl shout

ballerìna cf. pizzerìa

bállèt *bállây, cf. bállot

Bâlliol

bàlm -àm

bàlmy sea = BrE bàrmy daft

Båltimore

báluster cf. bánister

bamboôzle

banàl BrE; AmE bânal

banálity

banāna

bánd group, round = bánned ban

bandôneon

bándwagon one word

Bangkók cf. Háncock, both -ngkó-

Bangladésh *Báng-gla-désh; *Bàng-gla-dèsh is a more local pronunciation

bánish

Baràck Obama = Baràk Ehud: According to Michelle Obama, "Barack-oli" sounds like bróccoli (in American English, ó = à), but many British speakers routinely mispronounce it as bárrack

Bàrbara cf. Barbéra

barbãrian

barbáric

bàrbecûe (is *bàrbeqûe, which looks like it's pronounced "barbêek", now an acceptable alternative?)[1]

Bàrça, short for Barcelôna

barcarólle or -óle

Bàrclay *Bàrcly

Bàrclays *Bàrclyz

bàrd poet, bacon = bàrred bar

Bardôt *Bardô makes a minimal pair with Bordeaux

bãre naked = béãr animal, tolerate

bãrely

Bárenbŏim

bàrgaín *bàrgin

bàrley

bàrman one word

bàr mítzvah

bàrnacle

bàrns = Bàrnes

Bàrnstaple

bàrnstàr

báron nobleman = bárren bare = Bárron = Báron

baróque BrE *bərók, AmE *barôke

bárrack, cf. Baràck = Baràk

bárràge -àzh BrE, AmE *bəràzh

bárrier

Barrôso -zu

bárrow = Bárrow

bàrtender

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

Bàsel Switzerland, cf. Básil person

bâses base -ssíz = bâsses music

bâsês basis -ssêez

bâsic -ss-

Bâsie -ss- cf. Bássey (minimal pair)

básil = Básil -z-

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 located

batállion cf. báttle

bâte anger, breath = bâit lure

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

bátón BrE, AmE batón; one t, cf. Pátton, Hátton etc.

Báton Roûge *Bátn Rûzh

báttlefield one word

båuble decoration, cf. búbble gas

båulk (mostly British, billiards spelling of bålk)

Bavãria

båwdy

Báx person = bácks back

Baŷer, Baŷern

bazàar *bəzàr, cf. bizàrre, *bí-zàr

Bà’ath party BrE = bāth water

bdéllium dé-

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 listen

bêard cf. Bãird (minimal pair)

bêat win, hit, rhythm = bêet sugar

bêater beat BrE = bêta Greek

beatífic bêə-

beátify saint *bê-át-, cf. Sêáttle *Sê-áttle and beaûtify beauty byû-

beátitude bê-át-

Bêatríce, Bêatrix, a as schwa: Bêə-

beau boyfriend = Bô Diddley

Beaûliêu England = Beŵlêy

beaûty *byûty, rhymes and forms a minimal pair with dûty

because ó

Béchèt *Béshây

Béckenham -nəm

Béckham -kəm

béckon

Bédouín

bêe insect = bê is

bêech tree = beâch sand

Beélzêbúb Bêe-él-

bêen was = bêan eat

bêer drink = bìêr coffin

bêet sugar = bêat hit

Bèethôven *Bâitovən

bêetle insect = Bêatle Beatles, cf. bêat rhythm, Bêtelgeûse

befŏrehand one word

bég

Bègg = Bâig

behālf *bihāf

behâve

behêmoth *bəhêməth or bêhemóth or *bêəməth

behôve BrE; AmE behoôve

bèige *bâyzh

Beijíng *Bây-jíng; some say 'zh' for j

bêíng cf. Bíng

Beirût *Bây-roôt

Bélarùs: once literally rendered as 'White Russia', and still 'Weißrussland' in German, this post-Soviet word should eventually regularise to *Bélərəs, comparable to Latinate names like Pándarus and Cërberus, but it hasn't happened yet and the pronunciation is still in the process of shifting away from Belarûs *Bélla Roôse

Belarûsian, Bélorússian, etc.

Bélfāst

Bélgium *Béljəm country forms a minimal pair with Bélgian nationality

belîe cf. relŷ, belŷing, lîe

belìêve

béll ring = bélle woman

Béllevûe

béllicôse

bellígerent -j-

béllow shout, bellows cf. belôw under

bélly

Bélvedêre

*belŷ belîe

bêma

Bénaud *Bénnô

bénchmark one word

bénefit

Bénettón

benévolent

Bengåli

benîgn -nîne

benígnant -nígnənt

Benìn -nêen

Beninêse

Bénjamin

Bénnett = Bénnet Jane Austen = Bénet

Bénzedrìne

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 but usually transferred stress in Bërlin Wåll

Bërnard BrE; AmE Bernàrd

Bérne Switzerland = bãirn baby, or = bürn fire, brook

Bërnsteîn Leonard, Bërnstêin Elmer, Carl

bérry fruit = bury ground = Bury town = Bérry person

bërth ship = bïrth born

bêsom

bêta BrE; AmE bèta

Bêtelgeûse *Bêetlejûice, *Bétlgëz

Bétjeman *Bétcheman

Bétte Midler = bét; Béttê Davis = Bétty

béverage = Béveridge

Béverley England, etc. = Béverly Hills, etc.

bewãre one word, cf. bê awãre

bewíldered BrE *biwíldəd, AmE *bêwíldərd

bezìque *bəzêek

Bèzôs Jeff (BrE Bèzós)

Bhutàn

Bhutanêse

Bhùtto: this is the family's pronunciation, with the vowel sound of pùt, but since the death of Benazir the BBC and other broadcasters have taken to saying "Boôto"

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

bîas (plural bìases *bîəsíz) = Bŷas

bîased (one s) *bîəst

bíb cloth = bíbb lettuce

Bícester *Bíster

bìdet *bêedây

bìêr corpse = bêer drink

bîght loop = bîte teeth = bŷte computer

bígot rhymes with Píggott

Bilàwal Bhùtto Zardàri

Billerícay -rícky

Bíllie female = Bílly male = bílly goat

bíllôw, cf. belôw

bîô-

biógraphy

biólogy

bîôpic, biópic

Bïrmingham BrE *Bïrmingəm, AmE *Bïrming-hám, g not sounded separately

bïrthdate one word

bïrthplace one word

Bíscay

bíscuit *bísket makes a minimal pair with bāsket

bîson cf. bâsin

bísque *bísc

bít, past tense of bîte, as well as a noun meaning piece

bîte food = bŷte computer = bîght loop

bizàrre *bí-zàr, cf. bazàar *bəzàr

bláckcurrant cf. cúrrent

bláckguard rhymes with lággard

bláckmail

blàh blàh blàh

blānch white = Blānche person

blancmange *bləmónzh

blãre noise = Blãir person

blasphême, blasphêmer, blásphemy

blâtant rhymes with pâtent

bléssed *blést; but mostly as attributive adjective: a *bléssíd thíng

blóc grouping = blóck prevent, wood, building

Bloemfontein *Blùmfontâyn

blónd male person, male and female adjective = blónde female person

blòod *blúdd

blòodstained one word

blòodthirsty one word

blûe colour = bleŵ blow

blûeprint one word

blürred cf. cûred

Bǒ Xilaî *Båw-Shilî

bŏard wooden, directors = bŏred boring, cf. brŏad wide

bŏarder boarding = bŏrder edge

bôast

bôat makes a minimal pair with vôte

Boàteng Bwà-

bódíce

bódy

Boèhner *Bâyner cf. Groèning *Grâyning

Bôeing person = bôwing music

Boer *Bùer or = bŏre

bôgey golf, ghost = bôgie trolley, truck = Bôgey Bogart

Bogotá Spanish accent usually written; pronounced *Bogətàh

Bŏisê *Bŏicey

Bóko Haràm, or Bôko, or Harám, cf. Prôcol Hàrum

bôld brave = bôwled bowl

bôlder bold = bôulder rock

bôle tree = bôwl

Boleýn

Bólingbroke ends like broòk

Bóllywood

bôlt metal = Bôlt = Bôult persons

Bólton city, person = Bôulton person

bómb *bóm

bombàrd

bombardìer

Bombây

bómbing *bómming

bôna fîdê

bonhomìê, bonhommìê *bónóm-êe

Bóno

bónobo, bonôbo

boôgie-woôgie

boòk cf. búck

boòkcase one word: extended k sound

boòkkeeper one word: extended k sound

boòkshop one word

boôm (though usually boòm boòm)

boôn = Boône

boor rude = Boer South Africa *bùer or bŏre boring

boôs boo = boôze drink

boôst

Boôtes *Bwôtêz often has a diaeresis: Boötes

boôth = Boôth = Boôthe

boôty spoils = boôtie boot

boôze drink = boôs boo

Bordeaux *Bŏr-dô, *Bŏre-dôe, *Bŏre-dôugh, cf. Bardôt, *Bardô, same stress pattern, minimal pair

bŏrder edge = bŏarder boarding

bŏre boring, carried = bŏar animal

bŏred boring = bŏard wooden, directors

bŏredom *bŏrdum

Bŏrgia *Bŏrjə

bŏrn birth = bŏrne wind, out = bŏurn stream

bòrough town BrE -rə (*búrra), AmE = búrrow earth, cf. bórrow lend

bosom *bùzəm

Bósporus, or Bósphorus = phósphorus

bôth

bóttleneck

Bôtóx

boûgainvillea *bûgənvília

bòugh tree = bòw low, ship

Bóugh *Bóff

böught *båwt

bôulder rock = bôlder bold = Bôulder Colorado

Boûléz, z sounded

Boulogne *Bəlŏin

böurbon

bŏurgeois bŏrzhwà

bourgeoisìê bŏrzhwà-zêe

bŏurne stream = bŏrn birth = bŏrne carried

Bŏurnemouth *Bŏrnməth

bòw low, ship = bòugh tree

bôw knot, music, arrow = Bôw London = Bô

bòwel

bòwer tree = bàuer euchre

Bôwie David

bôwl all other meanings = bôle tree

bóxing sport = Bóxing Day

bŏycott = Bŏycott

Bŏyd = buŏyed lifted

brâe hill = brây donkey

brâin head cf. Brîan person

brâinchîld one word

brâinwash one word

bránd

Brándeîs ends with îce

Brasília with an s pronounced z, Brazíl with a z: both have a buzzing s in the original Portuguese, but the former, a later import, preserves the original spelling

Brazíl country = Brazíle

Brazílian

bréad food = bréd breed

breâk smash, interval = brâke car

breâkaway adjective cf. breâk awây verb

breâkdown noun cf. breâk dòwn verb

bréakfast

breâkthroûgh noun *brâkethrû; cf. breâk throûgh verb

bréast = Brést

bréath noun unvoiced th, brêathe verb voiced th, cf. mòuth, same noun-verb distinction in pronunciation of the th, but always the same spelling, no *mòuthe

bréathtaking adjective one word

Brécon Wales cf. brácken plant (minimal pair)

bréd breed = bréad food

brêed animal cf. bréad food

Breîtbart *Brîghtbart

Breîvik (*Brŷvik) is closest to the native pronunciation of Anders Behring Breivik, but most English speakers say "Brèivik" (*Brâyvik)

bréthren -dhrən

breŵ

Bréxit

Bréxiter, or Brexitêer, after musketêer (The Thrêe Musketêers)

Brextrêmist

Brîan = Brŷan, cf. brâin, O'Brîen (one is more likely to meet a Brian O'Brien than a Brien O'Brian)

brìêf

Brídget makes a minimal pair with Brígid

brîght -ît

brîghten = Brîghton

Brísbane *Brízbən, rhymes with Lísbon

Brítain country -tən; = Bríton citizen, Brítten, Brítton, Bríttain persons

Bríttany France ≈ Brítney person

brŏad *bråwd, cf. bŏard = bŏred, minimal pairs

bróccolì *bróckəlêy

brôchure BrE *brôsher, brochûre AmE *brô-shûre

Brómwich *Brómmidge

Brónte *Brónty; often written Brontë (some say "Bróntây")

broôch pin AmE; BrE = brôach speak

broôm sweep = brûme mist

bróthel unvoiced th

bròther voiced th, making a minimal pair with its cockney equivalent, brúvver

Bròúgh *Brúff

broûgham carriage = broôm sweep; or -gha- as schwa, *brûəm

broûhàhà

bròw

bròwbeat

bròwse rhymes with ròuse -z

Brûges = Brûgge *Brûzh

brûise contusion *brûze = breŵs beer

brûsque *broôsk

Bruneî

Brunél

Brússels

Brzezínski Zbigniew *Brzinski

Búchan *Búkhən

Buchánan *Bùkánan

Bucharést *Bùkerést

búck = Búck cf. boòk, búxom

búd = Búd

Budapést *Bùdapést

búddy = Búddy

Bùddha -ùdə (cf. original spelling of Bùddah Récords)

Bùddhist -ùdi-

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

búffalo = Búffalo

bùffèt eat *bùffây

búffet hit, t sounded

buffoôn -ffoô-

Bûíck

buíld *bíld

buílding *bílding

Bulawâyo

Bulgãria

bùll

bùlldôzer

bùlletin

bùllshit one word

bùlwark

búmblebee cf. Dímbleby

búmf

Búnsen bürner

buŏy sea BrE = bŏy child; bûoy sea AmE *bûêe

buŏyant *bŏyant

bürden load = Bürdon person

bûreau *byûrô, plural bûreaux, *byûrôz, cf. pólitburo

bureaucracy *byû-rócracy

bureaucrátic: -eau- as schwa: *byurəcrátic

bürger hamburger = bürgher business = Bërger person

bürgeoning

burial *bérrial, from bury

Burkìna Fáso -ss-

Bürma

bürn fire, stream = Bÿrne name cf. Bérne Switzerland

bürqa cf. bürger, BrE minimal pair

búrrow ground = AmE bòrôugh town cf. Búrrôughs person

bury ground = bérry tree = Bury England

bús transport = búss kiss

búsed driven or bússed = búst bosom, broke

búses plural, verb *bússes

bùsh

búsing -ss-

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

businessman one word, bíz-

bússed or búsed driven = búst bosom, broken

busy bíz-

busybody *bízzybódy-, one word

busy-ness, busyness busy cf. business affair, money, both bíz-

bûte drug = beaût beautiful = Bûte Scotland

bútler = Bútler = Búttler

bútt head, joke, buttocks = bút however

bútterfly

bútton

búxom

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

bwàna

bŷe-bye!

bŷ-election

bŷ-product

Bÿrd person = bïrd fly

bŷte computer = bîte teeth = bîght bay

Býzantîne, Býzantìne, *Bŷ-zántîne, *Bŷ-zántíne; can be b- when meaning intricate

Byzántìum *Bŷ-zántìəm

  1. ↑ https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/may/03/jeremy-corbyn-bernie-sanders-labour-leader
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