English spellings/Catalogs/H: Difference between revisions

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<center><big>
{{:English_spellings/Catalogs/Masterlist}}
'''[[English_spellings|Main Page]]  [[English_spellings/A|A]]  [[English_spellings/B|B]]  [[English_spellings/C|C]]  [[English_spellings/D|D]]  [[English_spellings/E|E]]  [[English_spellings/F|F]]  [[English_spellings/G|G]]  [[English_spellings/H|H]]  [[English_spellings/I|I]]  [[English_spellings/J|J]]  [[English_spellings/K|K]]  [[English_spellings/L|L]]  [[English_spellings/M|M]]  [[English_spellings/N|N]]  [[English_spellings/O|O]]  [[English_spellings/P|P]]  [[English_spellings/Q|Q]]  [[English_spellings/R|R]]  [[English_spellings/S|S]]  [[English_spellings/T|T]]  [[English_spellings/U|U]]  [[English_spellings/V|V]]  [[English_spellings/W|W]]  [[English_spellings/X|X]]  [[English_spellings/Y|Y]]  [[English_spellings/Z|Z]]  [[English_spellings/Apostrophe|Apostrophe]]'''
</big></center>


This page lists pronunciations of English words that begin with H. To see a different letter (or the main page) navigate with the table at the top.
===[[H]]===
'''H''' = '''âitch
'''H''' = '''âitch


'''hà
'''hà
'''Hàarlem''' ''Netherlands'' = '''Hàrlem''' ''New York''


'''ha hà''' ''laughter''
'''ha hà''' ''laughter''
Line 15: Line 12:


'''hâbeas cŏrpus''' *hâbius
'''hâbeas cŏrpus''' *hâbius
'''hábit''' rhymes with '''rábbit'''
'''Hábsburg''' Háps-
'''hácek''' *hátchek


'''háckneyed''' *hácknid
'''háckneyed''' *hácknid


'''haemoglôbin''' - haê-
'''hádrón'''; some say '''hâdrón


'''haemophília''' - haê-
'''haemátocrit''', '''hemátocrit'''
 
'''haemoglôbin''' - '''haê'''-
 
'''haemophília''' - '''haê'''-


'''haémorrhage''' *hémmoridge, *hémerage
'''haémorrhage''' *hémmoridge, *hémerage


'''haémorrhoid
'''haémorrhoid''' -rŏid


'''haemostâsis
'''haemostâsis


'''Hâgue''' ''person, Netherlands'' = '''Hâig''' = '''Hâigh''' ''persons''
'''Hâgue''' = '''Hâig''' = '''Hâigh''', cf. '''The Hâgue''' ''Netherlands'', capital '''T'''
 
'''hàh'''
 
'''haîku


'''hâil''' ''stones, greeting'' = '''hâle''' ''hearty''
'''hâil''' ''stones, greeting'' = '''hâle''' ''hearty''
Line 34: Line 45:
'''hãir''' ''head'' = '''hãre''' ''animal''
'''hãir''' ''head'' = '''hãre''' ''animal''


'''Hâiti''' *Hâtey, cf. '''hâte''', '''Tahìti
'''hãircút''' one word


'''hàjj''' or '''hàdj
'''hãirdo''' *hãirdu
 
'''Hâiti''' rhymes with '''Kâty''' and '''èighty''', *Hâtey, cf. '''hâte''', '''Tahìti
 
'''Hâitian''' -shən
 
'''Hàjj''' or '''Hájj
 
'''[[Bill Haley|Hâley]]''' ''Bill'' = '''[[Hayley Mills|Hâyley]]''' ''Mills'' = '''Hâiley


'''hālf''' *hàf; AmE *háf
'''hālf''' *hàf; AmE *háf


'''hâlfpenny''' *hâypəny
'''hâlfpenny''' *hâypəny
'''hálibut


'''håll''' ''building'' = '''håul''' ''pull, rob'', cf. '''Hál''' ''person
'''håll''' ''building'' = '''håul''' ''pull, rob'', cf. '''Hál''' ''person
Line 46: Line 67:
'''hallelûjah''' - '''j''' as y: *hallelûya
'''hallelûjah''' - '''j''' as y: *hallelûya


'''hállôw''' cf. '''hallô
'''[[Edmund Halley|Hálley]]''' ''Edmund
 
'''hállôw''', cf. '''hallô
 
'''Hallowêen''': '''Há'''-, AmE also '''Hà'''-; sometimes with a pedantic silent apostrophe -'''ê'en''' to indicate the missing '''v''' of -'''êven''' ''evening''


'''hålt  
'''hålt  
Line 52: Line 77:
'''hālve''' ''half'' AmE ≈ '''háve''' ''own'', though '''hálve''' tends to be longer
'''hālve''' ''half'' AmE ≈ '''háve''' ''own'', though '''hálve''' tends to be longer


'''hámlet''' -lít, cf. hám ómelette
'''hám''' = '''Hám'''
 
'''Hamàs''', '''Hamás'''
 
'''Hâmish'''
 
'''hámlet''' -lít, cf. '''hám ómelette
 
'''hámper''' ''hinder, basket


'''hámster''' *hámpster, cf. '''hámper''', '''Hámpstead
'''hámster''' *hámpster, cf. '''hámper''', '''Hámpstead


'''hándbag''' can be *hámbag
'''Hamtrámck''', Michigan, has an invisible '''i''': *Hám-trámíck


'''hándkerchìêf''' *hánkerchêaf
'''hándbag''' can sound like *hámbag


'''hándle''' ''touch, door'' = '''Hándel''', '''Hándl''' ''persons''
'''hándedness''' *hándidnis
 
'''hándful'''
 
'''hándkerchìêf''' *hánkerchêef
 
'''hándle''' ''touch, door'' = '''Hándel''', '''Hándl'''  


'''hándout''' ''noun'' one word
'''hándout''' ''noun'' one word


'''hándover''' ''noun'' one word
'''hándôver''' ''noun'' one word
 
'''hándshâke''' ''noun'' one word


'''hándwrítten''' one word  
'''hándwrítten''' one word  


'''hángar''' ''plane'' = '''hánger''' ''clothes''
'''hángar''' ''plane'' = '''hánger''' ''clothes''
'''hángover''' ''noun'' one word
'''hánky''', short for '''hándkerchìêf''', both hánk-
'''hánky-pánky'''
'''Hánna''' ''family name'' = '''Hánnah''' ''personal name


'''Hanŏi
'''Hanŏi
<nowiki>*</nowiki>hânous '''hèinous


'''Hánover''' has one '''n''' in English, two in German
'''Hánover''' has one '''n''' in English, two in German
'''hánsom''' ''cab'' ≈ '''hándsome''' ''good-looking''
'''harakíri''' or '''hara-kíri'''
'''harángue''' *haráng


'''Haràrê
'''Haràrê


'''haráss''' AmE; BrE *hárras, cf. '''Hárrís''' ''person
'''haráss''' AmE; BrE *hárras, cf. '''Hárrís''' ''person
'''hàrbinger''' -jer


'''hàrem''' or '''hãrem
'''hàrem''' or '''hãrem
'''hãre''' ''animal'' = '''hãir''' ''fur''
'''hãre-brâined'''


'''hàrk''' cf. '''heàrken
'''hàrk''' cf. '''heàrken


'''hàrpsichord''' -kŏrd
'''hàrpsichord''' -kŏrd
'''Harrôvian
'''hárrow''' = '''Hárrow
'''hàrt''' ''stag'' = '''Hàrt''' = '''heàrt''' ''beat
'''Hàrtlepool''' *Hàrtlípoôl


'''hássle''' cf. '''hústle''', *hússle
'''hássle''' cf. '''hústle''', *hússle
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'''hâtred''' -íd cf. '''pûtríd
'''hâtred''' -íd cf. '''pûtríd
'''håul''' ''take'' = '''håll''' ''way


'''hautëur''' *ôat-ër
'''hautëur''' *ôat-ër


'''háve''' can sound like *háff when emphasized before an unvoiced consonant: I *háff to sêe hím
'''Havána
 
'''Hávant''' = '''háven't'''
 
'''have''' ''weak form'' = '''of''' ''weak form'': *əv, hence some mistakenly write "I should of gone" for '''Î shoùld have góne''' = '''Î shoùld've góne'''
 
'''háve''' in British English can sound like *háff when emphasized before an unvoiced consonant: '''I''' *háff '''to sêe hím'''
 
'''hâven''' cf. '''héaven'''


'''háve-nóts''' ''haves''
'''háve-nóts''' ''haves''


'''Hawàiì
'''Haverfordwést''' *Hávverford Wést
 
'''Hawaîì''' *Həwîêe


'''Håwes
'''Håwes


'''håwk
'''håwk''' ''bird'' = '''Håwke'''


'''håwthorn''' ''plant'' = '''Håwthorne''' ''person''
'''håwthorn''' ''plant'' = '''Håwthorne'''  


'''hây''' ''farm'' = '''hèy''' ''exclamation''
'''hây''' ''farm'' = '''Hây''' = '''Hâye''' = '''hèy''' ''exclamation'', cf. '''hèydây


'''Haŷdn''' cf. '''Hâydon''' = '''Hâyden
'''Haŷdn''' cf. '''Hâydon''' = '''Hâyden


'''hâ’p’orth
'''hâ’p’orth''' *hâypərth (contraction of '''hâlfpennyworth''' *hâpnywərth)


'''héad''' cf. '''hêed
'''héad''' cf. '''hêed
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'''héalth
'''héalth


'''Hêar, hêar!''' ''agree''
'''héalthcãre''' ''adjective'' one word; ''noun'' can be one or two
 
'''hêap''' = '''Hêep''' ''Uriah
 
'''hêar, hêar!''' ''agree''


'''hëard''' ''hear'' = '''hërd''' ''animals'', cf. '''hàrd''' ''firm''
'''hëard''' ''hear'' = '''hërd''' ''animals'' = '''Hürd''' ''person'', cf. '''hàrd''' ''firm''


'''heàrken''' cf. '''hàrk
'''heàrken''' cf. '''hàrk
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'''heàrth
'''heàrth
'''heàrtthrob''' *heàrt thrób - accidental '''tt


'''hêath
'''hêath
Line 137: Line 226:


'''héather''' rhymes with '''wéather''' -dh-
'''héather''' rhymes with '''wéather''' -dh-
'''hêatwave''' one word


'''hêave
'''hêave


'''héaven
'''héaven''', cf. '''hâven''', '''hêathen'''


'''héavy
'''héavy


'''héavywèight''' ''boxing'' *hévviwâit, one word, cf. '''héavy wèight''' ''literal
'''héavywèight''' ''boxing'' *hévviwait, one word, cf. '''héavy wèight''' ''literal
 
'''héctãre
 
'''héctor''' = '''Héctor


'''hêed''' cf. '''héad
'''hêed''' cf. '''héad
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'''hêel''' ''foot'' = '''hêal''' ''cure
'''hêel''' ''foot'' = '''hêal''' ''cure


'''hegémony''' - hard '''g''' or j
'''Héffer''' = '''héifer'''
 
'''hegemony''' BrE *higémony (hard or soft '''g'''), AmE *héjəmôny (soft '''g''') or *həgémony


'''Heîdelberg
'''Heîdelberg
'''Heîdi'''


'''héifer''' ''cow'' = '''Héffer''' ''person
'''héifer''' ''cow'' = '''Héffer''' ''person


'''heîght''' *hîte  
'''heîght''' *hîte cf. '''hîgh''' = '''hî


'''heîghten''' ''high'' = '''Huŷton''' ''England
'''heîghten''' ''high'' = '''Huŷton''' ''England


'''hèinous  
'''hèinous''' or '''hêinous


'''Heînz''' *Hŷnts: in the 1950s, with memories of the Second World War still fresh, the company of this name pronounced itself '''Hînes''' *Hŷnze
'''Heînz''' ''trademark'' = '''Hînes'''; the German boy's name, however, rhymes with '''pînts'''


'''héir''' ''heiress'' = '''ãir''' ''breathe
'''héir''' ''heiress'' = '''ãir''' ''breathe
'''heîst


'''hélicopter''' cf. '''hêlium
'''hélicopter''' cf. '''hêlium
Line 172: Line 273:
'''héllhole''' one word
'''héllhole''' one word


'''hellô''' or '''hallô''' or '''hullô
'''hellô''' (or '''hallô''' or '''hullô''', but these are now much less common)


'''hém''' - but not many other words begin this way, haém- being more common
'''Helmánd''', '''Hélmand
 
'''Hélsinki''' (as in Finnish), '''Helsínki'''
 
'''hém'''  


'''hémidemisémiquaver
'''hémidemisémiquaver
[[Ernest Hemingway|'''Hémingway''' ''Ernest'']]


'''hémisphêre  
'''hémisphêre  


'''hërd''' ''animals'' = '''hëard''' ''hear'', cf. '''hàrd''' ''soft
[[David Hemmings|'''Hémmings''' ''David'']]
 
'''Héndricks''' = '''Héndriks''' = '''[[Jimi Hendrix|Héndrix]]
 
'''hërb''', '''hërbal''', '''hërbicide''': '''h''' silent in AmE
 
'''Hërb''' ''Herbert'' = BrE '''hërb''' ''plant''
 
'''hërd''' ''animals'' = '''hëard''' ''hear'' = '''Hürd''' ''person'', cf. '''hàrd''' ''soft


'''hêre''' ''there'' = '''hêar''' ''sound
'''hêre''' ''there'' = '''hêar''' ''sound
hêre, hêre! expressing agreement should be '''hêar, hêar!
<nowiki>*</nowiki>hêresay '''hêarsay


'''Héreford
'''Héreford
Line 189: Line 308:


'''herétical
'''herétical
'''Hermîonê
'''Hërne Bây''' cf. '''Hëarne


'''hêro
'''hêro
'''Heródotus
'''hêroes'''
'''hérôín''' ''drug'' = '''hérôíne''' ''hero'' *hérrowín, cf. '''méscalíne''', '''hárrowing


'''héron
'''héron


'''hérôín''' ''drug'' = '''hérôíne''' ''hero'' cf. '''méscalíne
'''hërpês'''
 
'''Hertfordshire''' Hàrt-
 
'''[[Herzegovina|Herzegóvina]]''', '''Herzegovìna''', Hérts-
 
'''hét úp''', '''hét-úp'''
 
'''heterogêneous''' rhymes with '''gênius


'''heteroséxual''' cf. '''métro''', '''rétro
'''heteroséxual''' cf. '''métro''', '''rétro


'''heŵ''' ''wood'' = '''hûe''' ''colour'' = '''Hûgh''' = '''Hûw''' ''persons
'''heurístic'''


'''hèydây''' one word
'''heŵ''' ''wood'' = '''hûe''' ''colour, cry'' = '''Hûgh''' = '''Hûw'''  


'''he’s''' ''he is'' = '''hís''' ''belonging to him'' - but can be...
'''hèydây''' one word, cf. '''hây


'''hê’s''' *hêez
'''he's''' ''he is'' = '''hís''' ''belonging to him'' *híz, or '''hê’s''' *hêez


'''hîâtus''' *hîgh-èight-us
'''hîâtus''' *hîgh-èight-us


'''híccúp''' can be spelt '''híccoúgh
'''híccúp''' can be spelt, but not pronounced '''híccoúgh''', cf. '''cóugh''' *cóff


'''hídden
'''hídden
Line 217: Line 354:


'''hîeràrchy''' *hîeràrky
'''hîeràrchy''' *hîeràrky
'''hieroglýphics''' - '''hî'''-
'''Hierónymus''' *Híər-ónimus rhymes with '''anónymous


'''hîgh''' ''height'' = '''hî''' ''hello
'''hîgh''' ''height'' = '''hî''' ''hello
'''hîgh jínks''' ''fun'' *hyjínx, cf. '''jínx''' ''curse''


'''hîghbròw''' one word, *hîbròw  
'''hîghbròw''' one word, *hîbròw  
Line 225: Line 368:


'''Hílary''' ''usual'' = '''Híllary''' ''Edmund, Clinton
'''Hílary''' ''usual'' = '''Híllary''' ''Edmund, Clinton
'''Híllsborough''' *Hílzbrə


'''hînd
'''hînd
Line 232: Line 377:
'''híndrance''' -drənss
'''híndrance''' -drənss


'''híppocratic''' cf. '''hypocrítical
'''híp hóp''', first stressed
 
'''Hippócratês''', '''hippocrátic''' cf. '''hypocrítical


'''hîre''' ''rent'' ≈ '''hîgher''' ''high
'''hîre''' ''rent'' ≈ '''hîgher''' ''high
'''[[Hiroshima|Hiróshima]]''': some stress the second '''i''', though words ending in -'''shima''' and -'''shita''' have this '''i''' silent in Japanese


'''hís''' ''he'' *hízz, cf. '''híss''' ''snake'', '''hê’s''' or '''he’s
'''hís''' ''he'' *hízz, cf. '''híss''' ''snake'', '''hê’s''' or '''he’s
Line 240: Line 389:
'''históric  
'''históric  


'''hítchhîke''' second '''h''' aspirated  
'''hítchhîke''' one word, first and third '''h'''s aspirated


'''hŏar''' ''frost'' = '''whŏre''' ''prostitute'' = '''Hŏare''' ''person
'''Hîte''' ''person'' = '''heîght''' ''high


'''Hîte''' ''person'' = '''heîght''' ''high
'''hŏar''' ''frost'' = '''whŏre''' ''prostitute'' = '''Hŏare''' = '''Hŏre''' ''person


'''hŏard''' ''store'' = '''hŏrde''' ''gang
'''hŏard''' ''store'' = '''hŏrde''' ''gang
Line 251: Line 400:


'''hôax
'''hôax
'''hóbnâil''' one word
'''Hôbôken'''


'''hóbnób''' one word  
'''hóbnób''' one word  
Line 258: Line 411:
'''hôe''' ''garden'' cf. '''hô hô''' ''laughter
'''hôe''' ''garden'' cf. '''hô hô''' ''laughter


'''hôld''' ''hand'' = '''hôled''' ''golf
'''hŏick
 
'''hŏi pollŏi
 
'''hǒist
 
'''Hôlborn''' rhymes with '''Wôburn
 
'''hôld''' ''hand'' = '''hôled''' ''golf''; '''hôled up''' ''trapped'' = '''hôld up''' ''attack, delay


'''hôle''' ''gap'' = '''whôle''' ''complete
'''hôle''' ''gap'' = '''whôle''' ''complete
Line 266: Line 427:
'''hólly''' cf. '''hôly
'''hólly''' cf. '''hôly


'''Hóllywoòd
'''Hóllywoòd''' cf. '''Hóly'''-


'''Hôlmes''' ''person'' = '''hômes''' ''living''; or '''Hólmes''', with l pronounced or hinted at
'''Hôlmes''' ''person'' = '''hômes''' ''living''; or '''Hólmes''', with '''l''' pronounced or hinted at


'''hôly''' ''sacred'' ≈ '''whôlly''' ''completely'', which has the two l’s pronounced
'''hólocaust
 
'''hôly''' ''sacred'' ≈ '''whôlly''' ''completely'', which has the two '''l'''’s pronounced


'''Hólyhéad
'''Hólyhéad


'''Hôlyroôd
'''Hólyroôd


'''hómage''' - unlike French, one m
'''hómage''': unlike French, only one '''m'''; the '''h''' is traditionally pronounced in English: '''a hómage''' *ə hómij


'''homêopáthic''' AmE; BrE homoêo-
'''hôme''' (but '''Home''' ''Alec'' = '''Hûme''' ''David'')


'''homêópathy''' AmE; BrE homoêó-
'''hômelánd'''
 
'''homêopáthic''' AmE; BrE '''homoêo'''-
 
'''homêópathy''' AmE; BrE '''homoêó'''-
 
'''Hômer
 
'''Hómerton


'''hômewörk''' one word  
'''hômewörk''' one word  
Line 286: Line 457:
'''hómicide
'''hómicide


'''homógeneous''' -jenəss or '''hômôgêneous''' rhyming with '''gênius
'''homógeneous''' -jenəss or '''homogêneous''' rhyming with '''gênius


'''hómoným   
'''hómoným   
Line 292: Line 463:
'''hômo sápiens
'''hômo sápiens


'''homoséxual''' - hó-
'''homoséxual'''  


'''Hóng Kóng''' *Honkóng
'''Hóng Kóng''' *Honkóng
Line 299: Line 470:


'''hónest''' *ónnist  
'''hónest''' *ónnist  
'''Honolûlu
'''hónor''' AmE, BrE '''hónour''' *ónner


'''honoràrium''' ón-
'''honoràrium''' ón-
Line 306: Line 481:
'''honorífic''' ón-
'''honorífic''' ón-


'''hónour''' *ónner, AmE '''hónor
'''hónour''' BrE, AmE '''hónor''' *ónner


'''hónourable''' ón-, AmE '''hónorable
'''hónourable''' ón- BrE, AmE '''hónorable''', cf. '''hónorary'''
 
'''hoòd
 
'''hoôdlum


'''hoòdwink
'''hoòdwink
Line 315: Line 494:


'''hoòkah''' ''pipe'' *hùkə = BrE '''hoòker''' ''prostitute, rugby
'''hoòkah''' ''pipe'' *hùkə = BrE '''hoòker''' ''prostitute, rugby
'''hoorây''' cf. '''hurràh'''
'''Hoôsier''' AmE *Hûzhr


'''hoôver''' ''carpet'' is from '''Hoôver''' ''person
'''hoôver''' ''carpet'' is from '''Hoôver''' ''person
Line 323: Line 506:


'''hŏrde''' ''gang'' = '''hŏard''' ''store
'''hŏrde''' ''gang'' = '''hŏard''' ''store
'''hŏrn''' = '''Hŏrn''' = '''Hŏrne'''


'''horrífic
'''horrífic


'''hórror
'''hórror''' BrE; AmE = '''whŏre


'''hŏrs d’oëuvre''' = '''ŏr-dërvrə
'''hŏrs d’oëuvre''' *ŏr-dërvrə


'''hŏrse''' ''animal'' = '''hŏarse''' ''croak
'''hŏrse''' ''animal'' = '''hŏarse''' ''croak
Line 350: Line 535:
'''hòur''' ''time'' = '''òur''' ''us
'''hòur''' ''time'' = '''òur''' ''us


'''hôuse''' noun -'''s''', verb -z
'''hòuse''' ''noun'' -ss; ''verb'' = '''hòw's''' ''how is'', -z
 
'''hòusekeeper''', '''hòusekeeping''' each one word
 
'''hòuses''' -zíz
 
'''Hòusman''' *Hòuseman -ss-


'''Hoûston''' *Hoôston
'''Hoûston''' AmE *Hyûston, BrE *Hoôston
 
'''Hoûthi''' *Hoôty
 
'''hòw''' = '''Hòwe'''
 
'''Hòwarth''' = '''Hàworth'''
 
'''Hòwell''' ≈ '''hòwl'''


'''howéver''' one word  
'''howéver''' one word  
Line 358: Line 557:
'''hòwl''' ''wolf'' cf. '''òwl''' ''bird
'''hòwl''' ''wolf'' cf. '''òwl''' ''bird


'''hûbris
'''Htín Kyåw''' *Dín Jåw


'''hûe''' ''colour'' = '''Hûgh''' ''person'' = '''hêw''' ''cut'' = '''Hûw''' ''Welshman''
''''''- = '''heŵ''' *hyoô


'''Hûghes''' ''person'' = '''heŵs''' ''hew''
'''hûbris'''
 
'''hûe''' ''colour'' = '''Hûw''' = '''Hûgh''' ''persons'' = '''hêw''' ''cut'' *hyoô
 
'''hûe and crŷ'''
 
'''húff''' = '''Hoúgh
 
'''hûge''' *hyoôj, some American *yoôj
 
'''Hûghes''' ''person'' = '''heŵs''' ''hew'' *Hyoôz
 
'''Hûguenot''' *Hyoôgənô


'''hullabaloô
'''hullabaloô


'''hûman
'''hûman''' hyoôm-


'''hûmor''' AmE; BrE '''hûmour
'''humanitãrian''' hyoômán-


'''hûmorist
'''humánity''' hyoôm-


'''hûmorous''' ''humour'' = '''hûmerus''' ''bone''
'''húmble'''
 
'''húmbling'''
 
'''húmbug'''
 
'''humíliate''' hyoôm-
 
'''humílity''' hyoôm-
 
'''hûmor''' AmE; BrE '''hûmour''' hyoôm-
 
'''hûmorist'''; BrE also has '''hûmourist''' hyoôm-
 
'''hûmorous'''; BrE also has '''hûmourous''' = '''hûmerus''' ''bone'' hyoôm-
 
'''húnchback''' one word


'''húndred
'''húndred


'''Húngary''' ''country'' - three syllables ≈ '''húngry  
'''Húngary''' ''country'' (three syllables, with [[schwa]]) ≈ '''húngry''' (two, no schwa); in both, hard '''g''' sounded


'''hunger''' - two syllables
'''hunger''': two syllables, hard '''g''' sounded
 
'''Húngerford''': no hard '''g''' sound, '''ng''' only
 
'''hurràh''' cf. '''hoorây'''
 
'''húrricane''' BrE -kən
 
'''Hürst''' = '''Hïrst''' ''[[Damien Hirst|Damien]]''
 
'''húsky''' ''dog'', ''voice'', plural '''húskies'''
 
'''hussàr''' *hù-zàr


'''hústle''' *hússle, cf. '''hássle
'''hústle''' *hússle, cf. '''hássle


'''Huŷton''' *Hîghton
'''Huŷton''' *Hŷton = '''heîghten
 
'''Hŷderabád
 
'''hydråulic''' may sound like *hŷ-drólic
 
'''hygge''' *hùgə
 
'''hŷgiene
 
'''hygiênic''' BrE; AmE '''hygiénic''' (both '''ŷ''')
 
'''hyêna''' or '''hyaêna


'''hýmn''' ''church'' = '''hím''' ''he''
'''hýmn''' ''church'' = '''hím''' ''he''
'''hŷpe''' is short for '''hypërbolê'''


'''hŷper-''' ''very''
'''hŷper-''' ''very''
'''hypërbolê''' hŷp-


'''hypercrítical''' ''critical''
'''hypercrítical''' ''critical''


'''hypócrisy''' cf. '''hýpocríte''', '''demócracy''', '''hippocrátic
'''hypócorism'''
 
'''hypócrisy''' hýp-, cf. '''hýpocríte''', '''demócracy''', '''Hippócratês''', '''hippocrátic


'''hypocrítical''' ''hypocrite''
'''hypocrítical''' ''hypocrite''


'''hystêria
'''hystêria''' rhymes with '''wistêria''' (-'''íst'''-); some AmE: '''hystéria'''


'''hystérical
'''hystérical
'''Hyúndé'''

Latest revision as of 14:58, 7 April 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 H. 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]


H = âitch

Hàarlem Netherlands = Hàrlem New York

ha hà laughter

hà-hà fence

hâbeas cŏrpus *hâbius

hábit rhymes with rábbit

Hábsburg Háps-

hácek *hátchek

háckneyed *hácknid

hádrón; some say hâdrón

haemátocrit, hemátocrit

haemoglôbin - haê-

haemophília - haê-

haémorrhage *hémmoridge, *hémerage

haémorrhoid -rŏid

haemostâsis

Hâgue = Hâig = Hâigh, cf. The Hâgue Netherlands, capital T

hàh

haîku

hâil stones, greeting = hâle hearty

hãir head = hãre animal

hãircút one word

hãirdo *hãirdu

Hâiti rhymes with Kâty and èighty, *Hâtey, cf. hâte, Tahìti

Hâitian -shən

Hàjj or Hájj

Hâley Bill = Hâyley Mills = Hâiley

hālf *hàf; AmE *háf

hâlfpenny *hâypəny

hálibut

håll building = håul pull, rob, cf. Hál person

hallelûjah - j as y: *hallelûya

Hálley Edmund

hállôw, cf. hallô

Hallowêen: -, AmE also -; sometimes with a pedantic silent apostrophe -ê'en to indicate the missing v of -êven evening

hålt

hālve half AmE ≈ háve own, though hálve tends to be longer

hám = Hám

Hamàs, Hamás

Hâmish

hámlet -lít, cf. hám ómelette

hámper hinder, basket

hámster *hámpster, cf. hámper, Hámpstead

Hamtrámck, Michigan, has an invisible i: *Hám-trámíck

hándbag can sound like *hámbag

hándedness *hándidnis

hándful

hándkerchìêf *hánkerchêef

hándle touch, door = Hándel, Hándl

hándout noun one word

hándôver noun one word

hándshâke noun one word

hándwrítten one word

hángar plane = hánger clothes

hángover noun one word

hánky, short for hándkerchìêf, both hánk-

hánky-pánky

Hánna family name = Hánnah personal name

Hanŏi

*hânous hèinous

Hánover has one n in English, two in German

hánsom cabhándsome good-looking

harakíri or hara-kíri

harángue *haráng

Haràrê

haráss AmE; BrE *hárras, cf. Hárrís person

hàrbinger -jer

hàrem or hãrem

hãre animal = hãir fur

hãre-brâined

hàrk cf. heàrken

hàrpsichord -kŏrd

Harrôvian

hárrow = Hárrow

hàrt stag = Hàrt = heàrt beat

Hàrtlepool *Hàrtlípoôl

hássle cf. hústle, *hússle

hâsten *hâyssən

hâte love = Hâight Ashbury

hâtred -íd cf. pûtríd

håul take = håll way

hautëur *ôat-ër

Havána

Hávant = háven't

have weak form = of weak form: *əv, hence some mistakenly write "I should of gone" for Î shoùld have góne = Î shoùld've góne

háve in British English can sound like *háff when emphasized before an unvoiced consonant: I *háff to sêe hím

hâven cf. héaven

háve-nóts haves

Haverfordwést *Hávverford Wést

Hawaîì *Həwîêe

Håwes

håwk bird = Håwke

håwthorn plant = Håwthorne

hây farm = Hây = Hâye = hèy exclamation, cf. hèydây

Haŷdn cf. Hâydon = Hâyden

hâ’p’orth *hâypərth (contraction of hâlfpennyworth *hâpnywərth)

héad cf. hêed

héalth

héalthcãre adjective one word; noun can be one or two

hêap = Hêep Uriah

hêar, hêar! agree

hëard hear = hërd animals = Hürd person, cf. hàrd firm

heàrken cf. hàrk

hêarsay

hëarse

heàrt beat = hàrt deer = Hàrt person

heàrtfélt one word

heàrth

heàrtthrob *heàrt thrób - accidental tt

hêath

hêathen -dhən

héather rhymes with wéather -dh-

hêatwave one word

hêave

héaven, cf. hâven, hêathen

héavy

héavywèight boxing *hévviwait, one word, cf. héavy wèight literal

héctãre

héctor = Héctor

hêed cf. héad

hêe hêe laugh cf. him

hêel foot = hêal cure

Héffer = héifer

hegemony BrE *higémony (hard or soft g), AmE *héjəmôny (soft g) or *həgémony

Heîdelberg

Heîdi

héifer cow = Héffer person

heîght *hîte cf. hîgh =

heîghten high = Huŷton England

hèinous or hêinous

Heînz trademark = Hînes; the German boy's name, however, rhymes with pînts

héir heiress = ãir breathe

heîst

hélicopter cf. hêlium

héllhole one word

hellô (or hallô or hullô, but these are now much less common)

Helmánd, Hélmand

Hélsinki (as in Finnish), Helsínki

hém

hémidemisémiquaver

Hémingway Ernest

hémisphêre

Hémmings David

Héndricks = Héndriks = Héndrix

hërb, hërbal, hërbicide: h silent in AmE

Hërb Herbert = BrE hërb plant

hërd animals = hëard hear = Hürd person, cf. hàrd soft

hêre there = hêar sound

hêre, hêre! expressing agreement should be hêar, hêar!

*hêresay hêarsay

Héreford

héretic

herétical

Hermîonê

Hërne Bây cf. Hëarne

hêro

Heródotus

hêroes

hérôín drug = hérôíne hero *hérrowín, cf. méscalíne, hárrowing

héron

hërpês

Hertfordshire Hàrt-

Herzegóvina, Herzegovìna, Hérts-

hét úp, hét-úp

heterogêneous rhymes with gênius

heteroséxual cf. métro, rétro

heurístic

heŵ wood = hûe colour, cry = Hûgh = Hûw

hèydây one word, cf. hây

he's he is = hís belonging to him *híz, or hê’s *hêez

hîâtus *hîgh-èight-us

híccúp can be spelt, but not pronounced híccoúgh, cf. cóugh *cóff

hídden

hídeous *hídìəss

hîdeòut

hîeràrchy *hîeràrky

hieroglýphics - -

Hierónymus *Híər-ónimus rhymes with anónymous

hîgh height = hello

hîgh jínks fun *hyjínx, cf. jínx curse

hîghbròw one word, *hîbròw

hilãrious

Hílary usual = Híllary Edmund, Clinton

Híllsborough *Hílzbrə

hînd

hínder

híndrance -drənss

híp hóp, first stressed

Hippócratês, hippocrátic cf. hypocrítical

hîre renthîgher high

Hiróshima: some stress the second i, though words ending in -shima and -shita have this i silent in Japanese

hís he *hízz, cf. híss snake, hê’s or he’s

históric

hítchhîke one word, first and third hs aspirated

Hîte person = heîght high

hŏar frost = whŏre prostitute = Hŏare = Hŏre person

hŏard store = hŏrde gang

hŏarse voice = hŏrse animal

hôax

hóbnâil one word

Hôbôken

hóbnób one word

hóck as in ín hóck, cf. ád hóc

hôe garden cf. hô hô laughter

hŏick

hŏi pollŏi

hǒist

Hôlborn rhymes with Wôburn

hôld hand = hôled golf; hôled up trapped = hôld up attack, delay

hôle gap = whôle complete

hóliday vacation = Hólliday person = Hóliday Billie

hólly cf. hôly

Hóllywoòd cf. Hóly-

Hôlmes person = hômes living; or Hólmes, with l pronounced or hinted at

hólocaust

hôly sacredwhôlly completely, which has the two l’s pronounced

Hólyhéad

Hólyroôd

hómage: unlike French, only one m; the h is traditionally pronounced in English: a hómage *ə hómij

hôme (but Home Alec = Hûme David)

hômelánd

homêopáthic AmE; BrE homoêo-

homêópathy AmE; BrE homoêó-

Hômer

Hómerton

hômewörk one word

hómicide

homógeneous -jenəss or homogêneous rhyming with gênius

hómoným

hômo sápiens

homoséxual

Hóng Kóng *Honkóng

hône

hónest *ónnist

Honolûlu

hónor AmE, BrE hónour *ónner

honoràrium ón-

hónorary ón-

honorífic ón-

hónour BrE, AmE hónor *ónner

hónourable ón- BrE, AmE hónorable, cf. hónorary

hoòd

hoôdlum

hoòdwink

hoòk

hoòkah pipe *hùkə = BrE hoòker prostitute, rugby

hoorây cf. hurràh

Hoôsier AmE *Hûzhr

hoôver carpet is from Hoôver person

hôping hope cf. hópping hop

Hórace rhymes with Bóris, Dóris, Nórris and Mórris

hŏrde gang = hŏard store

hŏrn = Hŏrn = Hŏrne

horrífic

hórror BrE; AmE = whŏre

hŏrs d’oëuvre *ŏr-dërvrə

hŏrse animal = hŏarse croak

hóspice -íss

hóspital

hóspitalised

hôst

hóstage

hóthead as if two words

hóthòuse as if two words

hóugh leg = hóck pawn

hòur time = òur us

hòuse noun -ss; verb = hòw's how is, -z

hòusekeeper, hòusekeeping each one word

hòuses -zíz

Hòusman *Hòuseman -ss-

Hoûston AmE *Hyûston, BrE *Hoôston

Hoûthi *Hoôty

hòw = Hòwe

Hòwarth = Hàworth

Hòwellhòwl

howéver one word

hòwl wolf cf. òwl bird

Htín Kyåw *Dín Jåw

- = heŵ *hyoô

hûbris

hûe colour = Hûw = Hûgh persons = hêw cut *hyoô

hûe and crŷ

húff = Hoúgh

hûge *hyoôj, some American *yoôj

Hûghes person = heŵs hew *Hyoôz

Hûguenot *Hyoôgənô

hullabaloô

hûman hyoôm-

humanitãrian hyoômán-

humánity hyoôm-

húmble

húmbling

húmbug

humíliate hyoôm-

humílity hyoôm-

hûmor AmE; BrE hûmour hyoôm-

hûmorist; BrE also has hûmourist hyoôm-

hûmorous; BrE also has hûmourous = hûmerus bone hyoôm-

húnchback one word

húndred

Húngary country (three syllables, with schwa) ≈ húngry (two, no schwa); in both, hard g sounded

hunger: two syllables, hard g sounded

Húngerford: no hard g sound, ng only

hurràh cf. hoorây

húrricane BrE -kən

Hürst = Hïrst Damien

húsky dog, voice, plural húskies

hussàr *hù-zàr

hústle *hússle, cf. hássle

Huŷton *Hŷton = heîghten

Hŷderabád

hydråulic may sound like *hŷ-drólic

hygge *hùgə

hŷgiene

hygiênic BrE; AmE hygiénic (both ŷ)

hyêna or hyaêna

hýmn church = hím he

hŷpe is short for hypërbolê

hŷper- very

hypërbolê hŷp-

hypercrítical critical

hypócorism

hypócrisy hýp-, cf. hýpocríte, demócracy, Hippócratês, hippocrátic

hypocrítical hypocrite

hystêria rhymes with wistêria (-íst-); some AmE: hystéria

hystérical

Hyúndé