English spellings/Catalogs/C: Difference between revisions

From Citizendium
Jump to navigation Jump to search
imported>Ro Thorpe
No edit summary
imported>Ro Thorpe
mNo edit summary
 
(60 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown)
Line 3: Line 3:
'''C''' = '''sêe''' ''look''
'''C''' = '''sêe''' ''look''


'''c.''' = '''''cïrca''''' *sürka, but not normally spelt out in serious usage, being a space-saver, especially before dates, substituting for a word such as '''aròund'''; longer versions such as "ca." are widely regarded as incorrect
'''c.''' = '''cïrca''' *sürka has become a journalistic vogue word, but is not normally spelt out in serious usage, being a space-saver, especially before dates, substituting for a word such as '''aròund''' ('''c. 1950'''), while the longer version "ca." is widely regarded as incorrect


'''cabál''', '''cabàl
'''cabál''', '''cabàl
Line 26: Line 26:


'''cáffêine'''  
'''cáffêine'''  
'''câiman''' ''crocodile'' = '''Câyman''' ''Islands''


'''cãirn
'''cãirn
Line 35: Line 37:
'''Cálâis''' *Cállay
'''Cálâis''' *Cállay


'''Calcútta''' ''old spelling'' = '''Kolkàta''' ''new'' (*Cål-cútta is normally pronounced Cál-)
'''Calcútta''' ''old spelling'' = '''Kolkàta''' ''new'': *Cål-cútta is normally pronounced Cál-, e.g. as in '''Calcútta Cúp'''; the effect of the new spelling has been to change the pronunciation to from Cál- to Cól-


'''Caledônia
'''Caledônia
Line 83: Line 85:
'''cán''' ''able, tin'' = '''Cánnes''' ''France
'''cán''' ''able, tin'' = '''Cánnes''' ''France


'''cán nót''': see '''cánnót
'''cán nót ônly''': see '''cánnót


'''Cânaan''' *Câynən, '''aa''' as schwa
'''Cânaan''' *Câynən, '''aa''' as schwa
Line 107: Line 109:
'''cándidate''' BrE -ət, AmE -'''âte''' (unsurprisingly, the AmE version is common among British broadcasters)
'''cándidate''' BrE -ət, AmE -'''âte''' (unsurprisingly, the AmE version is common among British broadcasters)


'''câne''' ''stick, sugar'' = '''Câin''' ''Abel'' = '''Câne''' = '''Kâne''' ''Citizen''
'''câne''' ''stick, sugar'' = '''Câne''' = '''Câin''' ''Abel'' = '''Kâne''' ''Citizen'' = '''Kâine''' ''Tim''


'''cânîne'''
'''cânîne'''
Line 119: Line 121:
'''cánnon''' = '''cánon
'''cánnon''' = '''cánon


'''cannót'''; or '''cánnót''' for emphasis, but always one word when (as it almost always is) '''nót''' is modifying '''cán''', cf. '''ít cán nót ônly…but ålsô…'''; cf. contracted form '''cān't
'''cannót'''; or '''cánnót''' for emphasis, but always one word when (as it usually is) '''nót''' is modifying '''cán''', cf. '''ít cán nót ônly…but ålsô…'''; cf. contracted form '''cān't


'''canoe''' -noô
'''canoe''' -noô
Line 137: Line 139:
'''câpable
'''câpable


'''Câpe Tòwn''', two words, first stressed as if it were one, *Câpetown
'''Câpe Tòwn''', two words, but the first is stressed as if it were one, *Câpetown


'''Câpe Vërde''', '''Câpe Vërdê
'''Câpe Vërde''', '''Câpe Vërdê
Line 143: Line 145:
'''capíllary''' BrE; AmE '''cápillãry
'''capíllary''' BrE; AmE '''cápillãry


'''cápital''' ''city'' = '''cápitol''' ''legislature'' = '''Cápitol''' ''Washington'', ''Records
'''cápital''' ''city'', ''letter'' = '''cápitol''' ''legislature'' = '''Cápitol''' ''Washington'', ''Records


'''capítulate
'''capítulate


'''cappuccìno''' -chêeno
'''cappuccìno''' -chêeno
'''capsîze'''


'''cáptain''' -ptin
'''cáptain''' -ptin
Line 163: Line 167:
'''cárapâce
'''cárapâce


'''cárat''' ''gold'' = '''cárrot''' ''food''
'''cárat''' ''gold'' = '''cárrot''' ''food'' = '''cáret''' ''insert'' = '''kárat''' ''gold''


'''càrbon dióxîde
'''càrbon dióxîde
Line 183: Line 187:
'''Cáríbbêan''' *Cárri-bêeən is the usual pronunciation outside the area, where some say *Cəríbbêən, and '''Rŏyal Caríbbean''' is normal
'''Cáríbbêan''' *Cárri-bêeən is the usual pronunciation outside the area, where some say *Cəríbbêən, and '''Rŏyal Caríbbean''' is normal


'''cáricature''' cf. '''cháracter''', both k-
'''cáricature''', AmE also '''carícature''', cf. '''cháracter''', both k-


'''cãries
'''cãries
Line 192: Line 196:


'''Carnègiê''', hard '''g''' (the family pronunciation, though one often hears it echoing the stress pattern of '''Càrnaby''': '''Càrnegie'''; also '''Carnêgie''')
'''Carnègiê''', hard '''g''' (the family pronunciation, though one often hears it echoing the stress pattern of '''Càrnaby''': '''Càrnegie'''; also '''Carnêgie''')
'''Càrnfŏrth'''


'''càrnivore
'''càrnivore
Line 206: Line 212:


'''cárrom''' or '''cárom
'''cárrom''' or '''cárom
'''cárrot''' ''vegetable'' = '''cárat''' ''gold'' = '''cáret''' ''mark''


'''cárry''' ''bring'' = '''Cárrie''' ''person''
'''cárry''' ''bring'' = '''Cárrie''' ''person''
Line 222: Line 230:


'''cáshmêre''' ''wool'' = '''Kashmìr''' ''Asia''
'''cáshmêre''' ''wool'' = '''Kashmìr''' ''Asia''
'''casìno''' makes a minimal pair with '''Cassìnì'''


'''cassàva
'''cassàva
Line 254: Line 264:


[[Cate Blanchett|'''Câte''' ''Blanchett'']]; but '''Kâte''' is the usual spelling of this abbreviation of '''Cátherine''', '''Kátharine''' etc.
[[Cate Blanchett|'''Câte''' ''Blanchett'']]; but '''Kâte''' is the usual spelling of this abbreviation of '''Cátherine''', '''Kátharine''' etc.
'''categórical


'''cátegory
'''cátegory
Line 262: Line 274:


'''Cátheríne''' is the most common spelling; also '''K'''-, -'''thar'''-
'''Cátheríne''' is the most common spelling; also '''K'''-, -'''thar'''-
'''cátholic''' = '''Cátholic''' -k
'''Cathólicism''' -sism


'''cáttle''' ''cows'' cf. '''kéttle''' ''boil'' ([[minimal pair]])
'''cáttle''' ''cows'' cf. '''kéttle''' ''boil'' ([[minimal pair]])
Line 285: Line 301:
'''Cávendish'''
'''Cávendish'''


'''Câyman Islands
'''Câyman''' ''Islands'' = '''câiman''' ''crocodile''


'''ce'''- mostly s-
'''ce'''- mostly s-


'''cêase''' ''stop'' *sêess, cf. '''sêize''' ''hold
'''cêase''' ''stop'' *sêess, [[minimal pair]] with '''sêize''' ''hold


'''cêased''' rhymes and makes a minimal pair with '''êast
'''cêased''' rhymes and makes a minimal pair with '''êast
Line 322: Line 338:


'''cént''' ''money'' = '''sént''' ''send'' = '''scént''' ''perfume
'''cént''' ''money'' = '''sént''' ''send'' = '''scént''' ''perfume
'''centênary'''


'''céntral''' s-
'''céntral''' s-


'''céntre''' s- BrE, AmE '''cénter
'''céntre''' s- BrE, AmE '''cénter'''; past: BrE '''céntred''' = AmE '''céntered'''


'''céntre-léft''', '''céntre-rîght''' ''politics'', [[hyphen]]
'''céntre-léft''', '''céntre-rîght''' ''politics'', [[hyphen]]
Line 370: Line 388:


'''chádŏr
'''chádŏr
'''Châffetz''' ''Jason''
'''cháffinch'''
'''chágrín''' sh- BrE; AmE *shəgrêen


'''chãir''' ''sit'' makes a [[minimal pair]] with '''shãre''' ''divide'' and '''Chér''' ''person''
'''chãir''' ''sit'' makes a [[minimal pair]] with '''shãre''' ''divide'' and '''Chér''' ''person''


'''chaise lóngue''' *shézz-lóng
'''chaise lóngue''' *shézz-lóng
'''chágrín''' sh- BrE; AmE *shəgrêen


'''chamaêleon''' k-; AmE -'''mêl'''- = '''[[Chamaeleon|Chamaêleon]]''' ''constellation'', cf. '''camêlia''', where -'''n''' is the only extra sound (a [[minimal pair]])
'''chamaêleon''' k-; AmE -'''mêl'''- = '''[[Chamaeleon|Chamaêleon]]''' ''constellation'', cf. '''camêlia''', where -'''n''' is the only extra sound (a [[minimal pair]])
Line 422: Line 444:


'''chàrlatan''' sh-
'''chàrlatan''' sh-
'''Chàrleston''' ''dance, city'' *Chàrlston


'''Chàrlotte''' Sh-
'''Chàrlotte''' Sh-
'''Chàrlton


'''Cháron''' = '''Sháron'''; or *Kãrən
'''Cháron''' = '''Sháron'''; or *Kãrən
Line 453: Line 479:
'''chéckered
'''chéckered


'''chéckers''' = '''Chéquers
'''chéckers''' ''game'' = '''Chéquers''' ''house'' (AmE '''chéckers''' is BrE '''dràughts''' [= '''dràfts''']; AmE '''Chînese chéckers''' is BrE '''Chînese chéquers''')


'''chéckpoint''' one word  
'''chéckpoint''' one word  
Line 521: Line 547:
'''Chílê''' ''country''  = '''chílly''' ''cold'' = '''chílì''', (mostly BrE) '''chíllì''' ''bean''
'''Chílê''' ''country''  = '''chílly''' ''cold'' = '''chílì''', (mostly BrE) '''chíllì''' ''bean''


'''Chílêan''' *Chíllìan, rhyming with '''Gíllìan''' ("Chíllây" and "Chilâyan" are pseudo-Spanish pronunciations, cf. '''''Chileno''''', '''''Chilena''''', Spanish for '''Chílean''', where the '''''e''''' is the stressed vowel)
'''Chílêan''' *Chíllìan, rhyming with '''Gíllìan'''; also *Chilèan (*Chilâyan), cf. Spanish '''''Chileno''''' (m.), '''''Chilena''''' (f.), where the '''''e''''' is the stressed vowel


'''chimêra''' kî-
'''chimêra''' kî-
Line 566: Line 592:


'''choôse''' ''select'' = '''cheŵs''' ''masticates
'''choôse''' ''select'' = '''cheŵs''' ''masticates
'''Chópin''' is usually pronounced like '''shóp''' plus a nasalised '''á'''; some say "Shôwpán" but this is not recommended


'''chŏral''' ''chorus'' k-, cf. '''córal''' ''reef''
'''chŏral''' ''chorus'' k-, cf. '''córal''' ''reef''
Line 592: Line 620:


'''Christiáne''' *Kristi-ánn
'''Christiáne''' *Kristi-ánn
'''Christìne''', though the stress can shift to '''Chrístine''', Kr-


'''Chrístmas''' *Kríssməss
'''Chrístmas''' *Kríssməss
Line 606: Line 636:


'''chthônian''', '''chthónic''', kth-, th-
'''chthônian''', '''chthónic''', kth-, th-
'''chúffed''' *chúft


'''chürch
'''chürch
Line 639: Line 671:
'''cïr'''-  
'''cïr'''-  


'''''cïrca''''', traditionally abbreviated to '''c.''' (not *ca.), never spelt out when used seriously, despite a trend to the contrary
'''cïrca''', traditionally abbreviated to '''c.''' (though not "ca.", q.v.), has become a (vogue?) word in its own right


'''cïrcle
'''cïrcle
Line 684: Line 716:


'''clámpdown''' ''noun'' one word
'''clámpdown''' ''noun'' one word
'''clán''' = '''Klán''' ''Ku Klux


'''clándestîne'''; some say '''clandéstíne
'''clándestîne'''; some say '''clandéstíne
Line 734: Line 768:


'''clíck''' ''sound'', cf. '''clìque''' ''gang'', see below
'''clíck''' ''sound'', cf. '''clìque''' ''gang'', see below
'''clíckbâit'''


'''clîmb''' ''up'' = '''clîme''' ''weather
'''clîmb''' ''up'' = '''clîme''' ''weather
Line 741: Line 777:
'''clóckwörk''' one word  
'''clóckwörk''' one word  


'''clôse''' ''shut'' = '''clôze''' ''test''
'''clôse''' ''shut'' = '''clôze''' ''test''; '''clôse''' ''near, cul-de-sac'' *clôce = '''Clôse''': '''Ms. Clôse's''' (-siz) '''còmpany was clôse''' (s) '''to bánkruptcy and hád to clôse''' (z) '''môst of íts óffices'''
 
'''clôse''' ''near, cul-de-sac'' *clôce = '''Clôse'''


'''clôser''' ''more'' -ss-, '''clôser''' ''end'' -z-
'''clôser''' ''more'' -ss-, '''clôser''' ''end'' -z-
Line 843: Line 877:
'''[[coleslaw|côleslaw]]''' is probably more common nowadays than '''côle slåw
'''[[coleslaw|côleslaw]]''' is probably more common nowadays than '''côle slåw


'''Cólin''', cf. '''Cóllins
'''Cólin''', cf. '''Cóllins'''; '''[[Colin Powell|Côlin Pòwell]]''' is an exception


'''colláborate
'''colláborate
Line 852: Line 886:


'''cóllar''', cf. '''chólera''' *cóllara
'''cóllar''', cf. '''chólera''' *cóllara
'''cólleague''' *cólêeg


'''colléctable''' BrE, AmE '''colléctible
'''colléctable''' BrE, AmE '''colléctible
'''cóllege''' *cóllij


'''cóllier''' ''coal'' = '''Cóllier''', '''Cólyer'''  
'''cóllier''' ''coal'' = '''Cóllier''', '''Cólyer'''  
Line 908: Line 946:


'''cómbine-hàrvester
'''cómbine-hàrvester
'''còme'''


'''còmeback''' ''noun, adjective'' one word
'''còmeback''' ''noun, adjective'' one word
Line 944: Line 984:


'''commûne''' ''verb
'''commûne''' ''verb
'''commûniquè''' -nikây


'''cómmunism  
'''cómmunism  
Line 960: Line 1,002:


'''compàrtment
'''compàrtment
'''còmpass'''
'''còmpasses'''


'''compássion
'''compássion
Line 978: Line 1,024:


'''complîant''' ''comply''
'''complîant''' ''comply''
'''complícit


'''cómpóst
'''cómpóst
Line 1,040: Line 1,088:


'''cône'''
'''cône'''
'''Côney


'''conféctionery'''
'''conféctionery'''
Line 1,097: Line 1,147:
'''consénsus''' cf. '''consént''', '''cénsus''', '''concéntric
'''consénsus''' cf. '''consént''', '''cénsus''', '''concéntric


'''consént''' cf. '''concentrâte
'''consént''' cf. '''cóncentrâte


'''cónsequence''' cónsí-, cf. '''sêquence
'''cónsequence''' cónsí-, cf. '''sêquence
Line 1,194: Line 1,244:


'''Coômbs''' = '''Coômbes''' *Cûmz
'''Coômbs''' = '''Coômbes''' *Cûmz
'''coôp'''
'''coôper''' = '''Coôper'''


'''cooperâtion''' côwóp-, cf. '''cŏrporation
'''cooperâtion''' côwóp-, cf. '''cŏrporation
Line 1,253: Line 1,307:
'''cóst''' cf. '''côast
'''cóst''' cf. '''côast


'''Cósta Rìca
'''Cósta Rìca''', cf '''côast'''; some Americans say '''Côsta Rìca'''


'''côsy''' BrE = AmE '''côzy''' = '''Côsey
'''côsy''' BrE = AmE '''côzy''' = '''Côsey


'''[[Côte d'Ivoire]]''' (French accent may be retained in English) *Côat-divwàr, also known as '''Îvory Côast'''
'''''[[Côte d'Ivoire]]''''' (French circumflex accent may be retained in English) *Côat-divwàr, also known as '''Îvory Côast'''


'''cotërminous''' ''adjective'', cf. '''tërminus''' ''noun''
'''cotërminous''' ''adjective'', cf. '''tërminus''' ''noun''
Line 1,330: Line 1,384:


'''cráb''' = '''Crább''' = '''Crábbe'''
'''cráb''' = '''Crább''' = '''Crábbe'''
'''cráckdown''' ''noun'', '''cráck dòwn''' ''verb''


'''cráckpot''' ''noun'' one word  
'''cráckpot''' ''noun'' one word  
Line 1,373: Line 1,429:
'''crêosote
'''crêosote


'''crèpe''' = '''crèpe
'''crèpe''', '''crépe


'''crescéndo''' -sh-
'''crescéndo''' -sh-
Line 1,397: Line 1,453:
'''críminal
'''críminal


'''crýptic''' make a [[minimal pair]] with '''tríptych
'''crîsís''' -s, pl. '''crîsês''' -z


'''críss-cróss''', cf. '''Chrís''', '''cróss
'''críss-cróss''', cf. '''Chrís''', '''cróss
Line 1,418: Line 1,474:


'''crócodîle
'''crócodîle
'''croissant''' *kwússón, French nasal -ón
'''croissant''' *kwússón, French nasal -ón


Line 1,428: Line 1,483:


'''crônyism''' *crônêeízm
'''crônyism''' *crônêeízm
'''crôquèt''': BrE *crôkay, AmE *crokây
'''crôsier''', '''crôzier'''


'''cróss-examinâtion
'''cróss-examinâtion
Line 1,453: Line 1,512:
'''crýpt
'''crýpt


'''crýstal''', '''t''' sounded, cf. '''whístle''', '''grístle''', silent '''t
'''crýptic''' makes a [[minimal pair]] with '''tríptych
 
'''crýstal''', '''t''' sounded (= '''Krístol'''), cf. '''whístle''', '''grístle''', silent '''t


'''cubewàno''', from "QB1-o" (after the prototype [[trans-Neptunian object]] '''QB'''-'''òne''' *qyû-bê-wún, with '''ú''' changed to '''à''')
'''cubewàno''', from "QB1-o" (after the prototype [[trans-Neptunian object]] '''QB'''-'''òne''' *qyû-bê-wún, with '''ú''' changed to '''à''')
Line 1,489: Line 1,550:
'''curâte''' ''museum
'''curâte''' ''museum


'''cürb''' ''stop, street'' = '''kërb''' ''street
'''cürb''' ''stop, street'' = '''kërb''' BrE ''street


'''cûre-åll''' ''noun, adjective
'''cûre-åll''' ''noun, adjective
Line 1,502: Line 1,563:


'''cürse''' cf. '''cŏurse
'''cürse''' cf. '''cŏurse
'''cürsed''' * cürst; adjective before noun may be *cürsíd


'''cürt''' ''blunt'' = '''Kürt''' ''person
'''cürt''' ''blunt'' = '''Kürt''' ''person
Line 1,527: Line 1,590:
'''cy'''- s-
'''cy'''- s-


'''cýclamen''' s-
'''cýclamen'''  


'''cŷcle''' s-
'''cŷcle'''  


'''cýclical''' s-
'''cýclical'''  


'''cŷclist''' s-
'''cŷclist'''  


'''cýgnet''' ''swan'' = '''sígnet''' ''ring
'''cýgnet''' ''swan'' = '''sígnet''' ''ring
Line 1,540: Line 1,603:


'''cýmbal''' ''drums'' = '''sýmbol''' ''sign
'''cýmbal''' ''drums'' = '''sýmbol''' ''sign
'''cýnic'''
'''cýnicism
'''cŷnosure'''


'''cŷpher''' or '''cîpher''', cf. '''decîpher
'''cŷpher''' or '''cîpher''', cf. '''decîpher


'''cŷpress''' ''tree'' = '''Cŷprus''' ''country'' s-
'''cŷpress''' ''tree'' = '''Cŷprus''' ''country''  


'''Cýpriot
'''Cýpriot
Line 1,553: Line 1,622:
'''Cŷrus
'''Cŷrus


'''cýst''' s-
'''cýst'''  
 
'''cýnic''' s-
 
'''cýnicism


'''czàr''' or '''tsàr''' *zàr
'''czàr''' or '''tsàr''' *zàr


'''Czéch''' ''nationality'' = '''chéck''' ''verify'' = BrE '''chéque''' ''cash
'''Czéch''' ''nationality'' = '''chéck''' ''verify'' = BrE '''chéque''' ''cash

Latest revision as of 13:57, 17 August 2017

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


This page lists pronunciations of English words that begin with C. 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]


C = sêe look

c. = cïrca *sürka has become a journalistic vogue word, but is not normally spelt out in serious usage, being a space-saver, especially before dates, substituting for a word such as aròund (c. 1950), while the longer version "ca." is widely regarded as incorrect

cabál, cabàl

cáche arms = cásh money

cáddie golf = cáddy tea

câdence

cadét

Cadíz is the traditional English pronunciation, though the Spanish stresses the first syllable

càdrê AmE, BrE *càdə

Caêsar *Sêezer

cáfè can be written with a French accent: café *cáfây

cáfè au lâit can be written with a French accent: café au lait *cáfâyô-lây

cáffêine

câiman crocodile = Câyman Islands

cãirn

Caîro *Kŷro

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

Cálâis *Cállay

Calcútta old spelling = Kolkàta new: *Cål-cútta is normally pronounced Cál-, e.g. as in Calcútta Cúp; the effect of the new spelling has been to change the pronunciation to from Cál- to Cól-

Caledônia

cálendar is not spelt -er, cf. còlander

Cálgary *Cálgəri

Califŏrnia -nyə

câliph, cáliph; câliphate, cáliphate, calìphate

cåll name, phone, shout = cåul birth, cf. Cál person

Cállaghán: silent g, *Cállahán

callígraphy -ll-, cf. Calígula

Callîopê = Kallîopê = Kallîopi

cállous uncaring = cállus skinCállas Maria (or Cállás)

càlm -àm, BrE and AmE

cálorie

Câmbridge

cámel

camêllia: irregular ê before double consonant, *camêlia, cf. chamaêleon *camêliən

cámera

cameráderie

Cámeron

Cameroôn

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

cán nót ônly: see cánnót

Cânaan *Câynən, aa as schwa

Cánada

Canâdian

canál

cánapè cf. cánopy

canãry

canásta

Canáveral

Cánberra -bərə, BrE *Cámborough

cáncer illness = Cáncer constellation

cándidate BrE -ət, AmE -âte (unsurprisingly, the AmE version is common among British broadcasters)

câne stick, sugar = Câne = Câin Abel = Kâne Citizen = Kâine Tim

cânîne

cánister: one n

cánnabis

cánnibal rhymes with Hánnibal

cánnon = cánon

cannót; or cánnót for emphasis, but always one word when (as it usually is) nót is modifying cán, cf. ít cán nót ônly…but ålsô…; cf. contracted form cān't

canoe -noô

cánon church, œuvre, music = cánnon war

cánopy cf. cánapè

cánt cliche = Kánt philosopher = AmE cán’t impossible

cantàta

cánvas paint, tent = cánvass election

cányon cf. ònion, both -yən

câpable

Câpe Tòwn, two words, but the first is stressed as if it were one, *Câpetown

Câpe Vërde, Câpe Vërdê

capíllary BrE; AmE cápillãry

cápital city, letter = cápitol legislature = Cápitol Washington, Records

capítulate

cappuccìno -chêeno

capsîze

cáptain -ptin

cáption -pshn

Cápricorn

càr vehicle = Càrr = Kàrr persons

*cáracter is spelt cháracter; cf. cáricature

càr-lôad noun

cárapâce

cárat gold = cárrot food = cáret insert = kárat gold

càrbon dióxîde

carburéttor

càrcass body cf. Carácas

cãre

cãrefree one word

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

cãrer

Cãrey = Cãry, cf. Kérry (minimal pair); Cãrrey is an irregular variant, as normally á before rr (cárry)

Cáríbbêan *Cárri-bêeən is the usual pronunciation outside the area, where some say *Cəríbbêən, and Rŏyal Caríbbean is normal

cáricature, AmE also carícature, cf. cháracter, both k-

cãries

Carlîsle city, person = Carlŷle person

Càrnaby

Carnègiê, hard g (the family pronunciation, though one often hears it echoing the stress pattern of Càrnaby: Càrnegie; also Carnêgie)

Càrnfŏrth

càrnivore

cárol Christmas = Cárol = Cárole

Cárolîne

Cárolýn

caròusal carouse *cəròuzəl

carousél round *carəssél

cárrom or cárom

cárrot vegetable = cárat gold = cáret mark

cárry bring = Cárrie person

càrt horse = kàrt race

cartél

càrton

cartoôn cf. Khartoûm, minimal pair: n and m only different sounds

cásh money = cáche weapons

cashìer *cashêer

cáshmêre wool = Kashmìr Asia

casìno makes a minimal pair with Cassìnì

cassàva

cāst drama, throw, eye = cāste India

Castílian cf. Castìlle

cāstle -ssl

cásual cf. cåusal

cásualty

cát animal = qát drug

cátacomb -coôm

Cátalan: though -ən is the normal ending (Itálian, Nigêrian), many speakers pronounce a strong final á in this word for some reason

cátalog AmE = BrE cátalogue

Catalônia—as for example in the title of Orwell's Homage to Catalonia (Catalunya in Catalan)

catàrrh *catàr, cf. Qátar

catástrophê

catastróphic

cátchphrase is probably more common as one word

Câte Blanchett; but Kâte is the usual spelling of this abbreviation of Cátherine, Kátharine etc.

categórical

cátegory

câter = Câtor

cáterpillar

Cátheríne is the most common spelling; also K-, -thar-

cátholic = Cátholic -k

Cathólicism -sism

cáttle cows cf. kéttle boil (minimal pair)

cåucus rhymes with råucous

cåught catch = BrE cŏurt tennis, law

cåul birth = cåll name, phone, shout

cåuldron or cåldron

cauliflòur *cóllyflower

cåuse reason -z = BrE Cŏrrs persons, cf. cŏurse -ss, cf. because *bicóz, ’cós because *cóz

cause celébre can have French accents: cause célèbre *côz-celébrə

cavalìêr

cávêát (or a as schwa)

Cávendish

Câyman Islands = câiman crocodile

ce- mostly s-

cêase stop *sêess, minimal pair with sêize hold

cêased rhymes and makes a minimal pair with êast

cêasefîre (no need to hyphenate)

cêde yield = sêed plant

cèilidh *kâlêy

cêiling floor = sêaling shutting

célebrâte s-

celébrity s-

célibate s-

céll prison, biology = séll money

céllar wine = séller sales

céllo tch-

céllophane s-, cf. sêal, séllotape

Céltic or céltic civilisation K-; Céltic football club S-

cémetery BrE -try, AmE -téry: not spelt -ary

cénsor censorship = sénsor feelcénsure blame

cént money = sént send = scént perfume

centênary

céntral s-

céntre s- BrE, AmE cénter; past: BrE céntred = AmE céntered

céntre-léft, céntre-rîght politics, hyphen

centrífugal or céntrifugal

centrípetal

céntrist s-

céntury is not automatically capitalised after an ordinal: 20th céntury

cêreal cornflakes = sêrial series

cérebral s- BrE; AmE cerêbral

Cêrês planet makes a minimal pair with sêríes string, or Céres, cf. Sírius star

céremony s-

Céri (from Welsh) = Kérry

certíficate -ət

cërtify

cërvical s- (some say cervîcal)

cesãrian cf. Caêsar, both s-

césspit one word

césspool one word

cf. compare *cêe-éff

ch- tch- unless otherwise stated; sh-, often from French, where stated

chà tea

chà-chà or cha-cha-chà dance

Chádian *Cháddian

chádŏr

Châffetz Jason

cháffinch

chágrín sh- BrE; AmE *shəgrêen

chãir sit makes a minimal pair with shãre divide and Chér person

chaise lóngue *shézz-lóng

chamaêleon k-; AmE -mêl- = Chamaêleon constellation, cf. camêlia, where -n is the only extra sound (a minimal pair)

châmber cf. Châmbers person

chámois *shámwà

Champâgne France, drink = Champaîgn Illinois *shámpâin; they make a minimal pair with campâign *cámpâin

chāncellor

cháncre *shánker

chandelìêr sh-

Chandrasèkhar is much more common than Chandrasèkar

chánnel rhymes with pánel, cf. Chanél, Channél persons, both sh-

châós *kâyóss, cf. cháps

chapàti (there are some longer spellings)

chápel church = Cháppell person

cháperôn sh-

chàplain church = Cháplin person

Chappáqua

Cháppaquíddick

Cháppell = chápel; also *Shapél

chárabanc *shárabang, cf. shebáng

charàde sh- BrE; AmE charâde

cháracter cf. cáricature, both k-

Cháring Cróss

charivàri sh-

chàrlatan sh-

Chàrleston dance, city *Chàrlston

Chàrlotte Sh-

Chàrlton

Cháron = Sháron; or *Kãrən

chãry cf. chãir

Charýbdis *Kəríbdiss

chásm *kázzəm

chássis *shássy

châste virgin = châsed chase

Chátham -təm

chauffëur *shô-fër

chauvinist shô-

chêap cost = chêep bird

chêapskâte one word

chêat

Chéchnya

chéckered

chéckers game = Chéquers house (AmE chéckers is BrE dràughts [= dràfts]; AmE Chînese chéckers is BrE Chînese chéquers)

chéckpoint one word

chêek cf. chíck

chêetah

chéf sh-, cf. chìêf, ch sound: tch-

Chélsêa *Tchélsì

chémistry k-

Chèney

chéque BrE money = chéck verify, AmE money = Czéch nationality

Chér = shãre, cf. chãir

Chernóbyl

Cherokêe

chérry-píck

chérub

cherúbic

Chéryl can be Sh-

chévron sh-

cheŵ cf. words beginning tû-, which can have the same tch- sound, e.g. tûbe

*chewítion tuítion

Cheyenne *Shŷ Ánn

chèz *shây

Chháttisgarh *Cháttisgar, cf. Chándigarh

chî Greek letter χ *kî

chìc *shêek, cf. slêek, chíck

Chicàgo Shí-, à sound in both BrE and AmE

chíck chicken, Chíck person

chíckpêa one word or two

chìêf tch-, cf. chéf, sh-

chihuàhua *tchiwàwa

chîld

Chîlds surname = chîld's possessive, cf. chíldren plural

chîldbïrth one word

chíldren, plural of chîld

Chílê country = chílly cold = chílì, (mostly BrE) chíllì bean

Chílêan *Chíllìan, rhyming with Gíllìan; also *Chilèan (*Chilâyan), cf. Spanish Chileno (m.), Chilena (f.), where the e is the stressed vowel

chimêra kî-

chímney

chimpanzêe

Chîna country = chîna crockery

chîropractic k-, first syllable = Caîro

chirópody k-

chïrp

chísel -zl

Chíslehurst -zl-

Chíswick *Tchízzick

chívalry sh-

chívy or chívvy

chlamýdia kl-

Chlôê *Klôwie

chlóroform kl-

chóc chocolate = chóck wedge

chóck-a-blóck

chŏice makes a minimal pair with Jŏyce

choîr singers = quîre paper

chólera k-, cf. cóllar (minimal pair)

choléstorol k-

choôse select = cheŵs masticates

Chópin is usually pronounced like shóp plus a nasalised á; some say "Shôwpán" but this is not recommended

chŏral chorus k-, cf. córal reef

chorāle chorus k- = corrāl animals

chŏrd music = cŏrd rope, vocal

chŏrus k-

choúgh bird *chúff, cf. chúffed pleased

chòw dog, food = ciàô goodbye

chòw mêin

chr- kr- (words that sound as if they begin 'chr-' may begin tr-)

Chrís = Krís, cf. críss-cróss

Chrîst Kr-

chrísten *kríssen

Chrístian *Kríshtchən or *Krístchen cf. crýstal

Christiáne *Kristi-ánn

Christìne, though the stress can shift to Chrístine, Kr-

Chrístmas *Kríssməss

Chrístopher *Krístəfər

chrôme kr-

chrónic, chrónicle kr-

chrýsalis kríss-

chrysánthemum kríz-

chthônian, chthónic, kth-, th-

chúffed *chúft

chürch

chürn

chûte fall = shoôt gun

chútzpah *hùtspə, cf. Hótspur

ci- s-

ciàô goodbye = chòw dog, food

cicàda BrE; AmE cicâda

Cícely person = Sícily Italy

cîder

cigàr

címbalóm is perhaps the most common of several spellings, cf. cýmbal

Cincinnáti

cínema

cínnamon

Cínque Ports = sínk wash, down

cïr-

cïrca, traditionally abbreviated to c. (though not "ca.", q.v.), has become a (vogue?) word in its own right

cïrcle

cïrcuit *sërkit

circûítous

cïrcumcîse

circumcísion -zhən

circúmference cf. interfêrence

cïrcumstance

Cîrencéster

cirrhôsis, cf. psorîasis

císsy = Císsy = síssy

citâtion cf. situâtion

cîte quote = sîght see = sîte place

cítizen

Citizéndium

Cítroencar = cítron lemon, making minimal pairs with cítrous

cíty

cívil

civílian: one l

cívvies

Clãir = Clãire = Clãre

clámour BrE; AmE clámor

clámpdown noun one word

clán = Klán Ku Klux

clándestîne; some say clandéstíne

clánger has the normal ng sound, rhyming with hánger, cf. ánger, *áng-ger, dânger, -njer

Clápham London = cláp ’em clap them

cláptrap one word

Clãre = Clãir = Clãire

cláret

clárify

clarinéttist BrE, AmE clarinétist

clárity

clāss

clássical music is not capitalised when referring to any period; only Clássical when referring particularly to the period between Baroque and Romantic (and not necessarily music)

clāssroom one word

clåuse words = clåws claw = Clåus Santa

claustrophôbia clós-

clêan

cléanliness

cléanse -nz

clêaver cf. cléver

Clêese -z

clërgy

cléric

clërk AmE; BrE = Clàrk = Clàrke persons

cléver

clìchè *clêeshây

clíck sound, cf. clìque gang, see below

clíckbâit

clîmb up = clîme weather

clìque *clêek; some AmE = clíck

clóckwörk one word

clôse shut = clôze test; clôse near, cul-de-sac *clôce = Clôse: Ms. Clôse's (-siz) còmpany was clôse (s) to bánkruptcy and hád to clôse (z) môst of íts óffices

clôser more -ss-, clôser end -z-

clóset -z-

clôse-up near, -ss-, cf. clôse up shut, -z-

clóstr- claustrophôbia

clóth unvoiced th

clôthe voiced th

clôthes voiced th

Cloúgh = Clúff

Clŵýd rhymes with flûíd

and co = Côe

côach transport, trainer

côal fuel = Côle person

coalésce *côəl-éss

coalítion *côəl-íshən

côalman coal = Côleman person

côalmine or côal mîne, but côal mîning is two words

cŏarse crude = cŏurse route, study

côast cf. cóst

côastguard one word or two

côax

cóbra or côbra

cocâine (ô or schwa; weak = Cockâigne)

cóchineal

Cockâigne (ó or schwa; weak = cocâine)

Côckburn = Côburn persons

Cóckermòuth or -məth

cóck-up

côco tree = côcoa tree, powder, drink

Côco the Clòwn

côconut or côcoanut

cocoôn

côdêine

côdicil

coêlacanth sêel- BrE, AmE cêlacanth

coërce

coërcion -sh-

CofÊ Church of England *sêeyəvêe

cóffee drink = Cóffey = Cóffee persons

cógnac *cónyák

cohábit no hyphen

Côhen *Côwen, rhymes with Ôwen

côhêre

Coìmbra *Quêenborough

coincîde, coíncídence, cô-í-, without hyphens

cojônes *cohôniz

côke fuel = Côke Coca Cola = Kôch brothers

còlander cf. cálendar

Côle person = côal burn

côleslaw is probably more common nowadays than côle slåw

Cólin, cf. Cóllins; Côlin Pòwell is an exception

colláborate

cóllàge art *cóllàzh, cf. cóllege school *cóllij

collápse

cóllar, cf. chólera *cóllara

cólleague *cólêeg

colléctable BrE, AmE colléctible

cóllege *cóllij

cóllier coal = Cóllier, Cólyer

Cóllins, cf. Cólin

collóssal

collûde

Colôgne Germany = colôgne perfume *kəlôn

Colòmbia country = Colúmbia company, British (-- is the Spanish and a spelling pronunciation)

Colòmbo Sri Lanka = Colúmbo TV series

côlon

cölonel army = BrE kërnel nut *kënl

colônial

colonnâde

cólonise

cólony

Coloràdo in both BrE and AmE, -

colorâtion or colourâtion cú-

coloratùra

còlour tint cf. cóllar neck

Colúmbia British, commercial = Colòmbia South America

Colúmbus

cólumn *cóllum

cólumnist *cólumist, though some pronounce the n

côma cf. cómma

cômb hair *kôam, cf. còme here (minimal pair)

cómbat noun, verb, combát verb; verb forms -ing and -ed may have one t or two

cómbatant or combátant

combîne verb

cómbine-hàrvester

còme

còmeback noun, adjective one word

cómedy

comeúppance one word

còmfortable -ft-

comfortably-óff

còming come = Cúmming, cf. Cúmmings, persons

cómma punctuate, cf. côma unconscious

commānd

commandêer

comménd

cómmént

commërcial

commít

commíttee

cómmonplace common one word

commûnal

cómmune noun

commûne verb

commûniquè -nikây

cómmunism

commûnity

còmpany

compãre contrast cf. cómpére (where French accent can be written: compère) host

cómparable or compárable

compárative

compárison

compàrtment

còmpass

còmpasses

compássion

cómpensâte

compensâtion

cómpére (or with written French accent compère) show, cf. compãre contrast

complâint complain

cómplement together = cómpliment praise

cómplex BrE; AmE compléx

compléxion not -ct-

complîant comply

complícit

cómpóst

cómpromîse pronounced but never written -ize, cf. prómise *prómíss

Còmpton, Cómpton

Còmpton-Bürnett

cómráde, cf. Cónrád (minimal pair), some BrE cómrâde

Cónakry

concêde

concentrâte cf. consént

cóncrete

concatenâtion: e, not i

cóncentrâte cf. consént

concéntric cf. consénsus

cóncept

concéptual

concërtô *cənshërto, *cənshérto or like Italian original *conchérto

concéssion

cónch shell -nch or -nk

cónch, Cónch Bahamian -nk

concörd

Cóncord

cóncrete

concússion

condémn, cf. dámn, both -m

condemnâtion ends like nâtion

condîgn -dîne

condôlences

cóndom, cóndóm

cóndŏr

condûcíve

cóndûít or -dwít; BrE was once *cóndit or *cúndit, but now regularised

cône

Côney

conféctionery

confër

conféss

conféssion -féshən

cónfidànt person BrE -dónt

cónfident adjective -dənt

Confûcian -shən

confûsion -zhən

cónger hard g

cóngeries soft g

cóngruent or congrûent

cónical make a minimal pair with chrónicle

cónifer

cóniìne --

cònjure

Cónnåcht *Cónåwt

connéct

Connécticut *Cənétikət

connéction: BrE can be connéxion

connîve

connoissëur: -oi- as schwa: *connəssür

Cónor given = Cónnor family

cónquer win = cónker nut *cóngker

cónquést *cóngkwest, cf. quést

*conscient should be cónscious

consciéntious *cónshì-énshəs, *cónshénshəs

cónscious

consénsus cf. consént, cénsus, concéntric

consént cf. cóncentrâte

cónsequence cónsí-, cf. sêquence

consërvative

conservâtion

consigliérê *consíl-yãry

consístent cf. cónstant

cónsôle noun

consôle comfort

consólidate

cónsonant

cónsŏrt noun cf. cóncert, e as schwa

consŏrt verb

consŏrtium as written or -shm

conspíracy

conspírator

conspîre

cònstable

constábulary

cónstant cf. consístent

constítuency

consûme -syû-

cónsummate

cóntact noun and verb, cf. cóntract, contráct

contémptible

conténd struggle

contént happy

cóntént contain

cóntext

contéxtual

contínûùm -tínyûəm

cóntoûr

cóntract noun, contráct verb, cf. cóntact

contradíct

cóntra, cf. controvërsial, etc.

cóntrary opposed

contrãry awkward

cóntribûte or contríbûte

contribûtion

*contríbyəter contríbutor

contrôl

contrôller

controvërsial

cóntrovërsy or contróversy

conúndrum

cónvíct noun, convíct verb

cónvoy

coòk kitchen = Coòk = Coòke persons

coôlie *kûli

Coômbs = Coômbes *Cûmz

coôp

coôper = Coôper

cooperâtion côwóp-, cf. cŏrporation

coóperative côwóp-

Copenhâgen: -; or -hàgen

cóps police = Kóp Liverpool

cóp-òut

cóps police = cópse wood

cópy cf. côpe

cópyédit can be one word or two

cópyrîght *cópywrîte: it’s a rîght about writing

córal

cŏr ànglâis *cŏróng-glây

cŏrd vocal, string = chŏrd music

cŏrdon

cŏre apple = cŏrps army

cŏrnea -nìə

cŏrnerstône one word

coróllary

corôna

córonary

córoner

cŏrporate

cŏrps army = cŏre apple, cf. following

cŏrpse

corrāl AmE animals; BrE = chorāle choral

corrālled

correspóndence, correspóndent (unlike French, which has -ance, -ant)

corróborate

córrugate BrE; AmE cörrugate

cóst cf. côast

Cósta Rìca, cf côast; some Americans say Côsta Rìca

côsy BrE = AmE côzy = Côsey

Côte d'Ivoire (French circumflex accent may be retained in English) *Côat-divwàr, also known as Îvory Côast

cotërminous adjective, cf. tërminus noun

Cótham Bristol *Cóttam

cóttage -íj

còuch; the surname is, however, Coûch in the names of John Couch Adams and Arthur Quiller-Couch

còuchant

couchétte *coô-shét

coûgar *coôger

cóugh *cóff

coùld rhymes with goòd

còuncil committee = còunsel advice

còuncillor

còunt

còunter noun

còunter- opposite, hyphenated: còunter-clâim, còunter-productive

còunterfeít; còunterfeíter rhymes with (ends like) fítter

coúntry *cúntry, cf. còunty and còunt, which do begin with the còw sound; "còwntry" is a common mispronunciation by foreign learners

còunty cf. coúntry

coûp d’état = coô bird

coúple rhymes with súpple (minimal pair)

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 (minimal pair)

coúsin *cúzzen rhymes with dòzen

Cóvent Gàrden

còver

côvert, còvert, cf. ovërt

còvet -ít

Còwen = Còwan, minimal pair with Côhen

còws animals = Còwes Isle of Wight, cf. kowtòw

Coŵper = Coôper; or Còwper

Cóx = cócks

cŏyôtê BrE; AmE *kîôat

cráb = Crább = Crábbe

cráckdown noun, cráck dòwn verb

cráckpot noun one word

crâdle

crāft skill = Krāft person

cravát ('cravate' is French)

cråwl ground = Kråll person

Creâgh = Crây

crêak noise = crêek water

crêam

creâte *crêe-âte

creâtion *crêe-âshən

crêature -ch-

créche *crésh, cf. crásh, crúsh (minimal pairs)

crêdence

credéntials

crédibílity

crêed

crêek water = crêak noise

créme can have French accent: crème

créme de menthe can have French accent: crème de menthe *crémdə-mónt

Creôle (êô) = creôle

crêosote

crèpe, crépe

crescéndo -sh-

créscent *crézzənt, *créssənt

crétin

crévíce

crevásse

creŵ ship = Creŵe England

creŵ-cut

Crîchton *Crŷtən

crîme cf. crêam (minimal pair)

Crimêa *Crî-mêə

críminal

crîsís -s, pl. crîsês -z

críss-cróss, cf. Chrís, cróss

critêrion (plural critêria) crî-

crític

critìque -êek

crôak = Crôke

Crôát *Crôwát

Croâtia *Crôw-âyshə

cróc crocodile = cróck pot, old

crôchet knit *crôshây, cf. crótchet

crócodîle croissant *kwússón, French nasal -ón

Crómarty

crône

crôny

crônyism *crônêeízm

crôquèt: BrE *crôkay, AmE *crokây

crôsier, crôzier

cróss-examinâtion

cròtch genitals = crútch support

crótchet irritable, music regular pronunciation, cf. crôchèt *crôshây

crûcible

crûcifíxion *crûci-fíction

Crûickshank -ûk-

crûise = Crûz = creŵs

crúmb -m

crúmble

crúx

Crûz = crûise

crýpt

crýptic makes a minimal pair with tríptych

crýstal, t sounded (= Krístol), cf. whístle, grístle, silent t

cubewàno, from "QB1-o" (after the prototype trans-Neptunian object QB-òne *qyû-bê-wún, with ú changed to à)

cúckold

cùckoô, first syllable sounding like coòk

cûe snooker, theatre = queûe line = Keŵ Gardens

Cûi *QE

cuisìne *quizêen, cf. cóusin *cúzzən

cúl-de-sác

cúlprit

cúlt

cúm with, orgasm = còme here

Cúmmings person = còmings and goings

cúmqùat = kúmqùat

cûneífŏrm rhymes with ûniform

cúpboard rhymes with Húbbard

curaçào *curassòw

cûrate person

curâte museum

cürb stop, street = kërb BrE street

cûre-åll noun, adjective

cûrious

cürly = Cürley

cúrrant eat = cúrrent now, flow BrE; AmE cür-

currículum vìtaê

cürse cf. cŏurse

cürsed * cürst; adjective before noun may be *cürsíd

cürt blunt = Kürt person

cürtsey bow cf. cöurtesy politeness

curvâceous

cürve

cùshion cf. percússion, both -shən

cússed *cússid

cústard

cústody BrE *cústardy

cútback noun one word

cút-prîce

cútler, cútlery, light l, e as schwa (though Anne Robinson, on The Weakest Link, pronounces it with a dark l: "cúttle-ry")

cy- s-

cýclamen

cŷcle

cýclical

cŷclist

cýgnet swan = sígnet ring

cýlinder

cýmbal drums = sýmbol sign

cýnic

cýnicism

cŷnosure

cŷpher or cîpher, cf. decîpher

cŷpress tree = Cŷprus country

Cýpriot

Cýril

Cyríllic

Cŷrus

cýst

czàr or tsàr *zàr

Czéch nationality = chéck verify = BrE chéque cash