Word pronounced two ways

Words with more than one correct pronunciation

What is an example of a Heteronym?

For example, “row” (use oars) and “row” (argument) are heteronyms because they employ different sounds, while “mean” (signify) and “mean” (average) are not heteronyms because they are pronounced the same (these are called homonyms).

What are words that can be pronounced differently?

A heteronym (also known as a heterophone) is a word that has a different pronunciation and meaning from another word but the same spelling. These are homographs that are not homophones.

What are the 10 most mispronounced words?

Here are 20 of the most commonly mispronounced words in English, and how to say them right.

• 1 Pronunciation. Ironically, many people mispronounce this word!
• 2 Cupboard.
• 3 Epitome.
• 4 Salmon/almond.
• 5 Library/February.
• 6 Definitely.
• 7 Ask.
• 8 Wednesday.

What’s the correct way to pronounce pecan?

The correct pronunciation is “pe-CAHN.” I know, I’m just as shocked as you are, but it’s true. The good news is, it doesn’t make this nut any less delicious.

Is read a Heteronym?

Read is also a heteronym because the present tense and past tense forms of the verb are pronounced differently but spelled identically: I want to read the sequel today because I read the first book yesterday.

Which word is pronounced the same as one?

A homophone is a word that sounds the same as another word but has a different meaning and/or spelling. “Flower” and “flour” are homophones because they are pronounced the same but you certainly can’t bake a cake using daffodils. Continue reading…

Why is read pronounced two different ways?

Did you know that there are two ways to pronounce this word? When it’s in the present and future tense, “read” is pronounced as “reed”. But when it’s in the past tense, it’s pronounced “red”, like the colour red. This is referring to the past, so it’s pronounced as “red”.

Is sherbert a word?

Sherbet, pronounced “SHER-but,” is the usual word for the frozen sweet dessert made from fruit or fruit juices. Though the words ‘sherbet’ comes from lack an ‘r’ in the second syllable, the ‘sherbert’ spelling has been around since the word entered English. It is now a fully established variant spelling.

What is the craziest word?

34 of the Zaniest, Craziest Words in the Dictionary (Anything Missing? Add It In the Comments!)

• Bumfuzzle. This is a simple term that refers to being confused, perplexed, or flustered or to cause confusion.
• Cattywampus.
• Gardyloo.
• Taradiddle.
• Snickersnee.
• Widdershins.
• Collywobbles.
• Gubbins.

Are there 2 ways to pronounce mischievous?

Mischievous pronounced [mis-CHEEV-ee-us] (mischievious) [closed]

No one would argue that English is a tough language. It beats up other languages in dark alleys and goes through their pockets for loose vocab – at least, that’s the word on the street.

Which is why it’s not surprising there are several words that are spelled exactly the same, and mean the same thing, but are pronounced differently depending on the speaker.

Fun, right?

At least if you know about these 10 words in advance, you’ll see them coming.

10. Data

It can be pronounced DAH-ta or DAY-ta, and is defined as “individual facts, statistics, or items of information.”

Officially, any word that comes directly from Latin (“data” does), and the stressed syllable ends in a vowel, then the vowel should have a long sound in English.

So DAY-ta is technically correct.

9. Laboratory

Do you go to work in the LAB-ore-a-tor-ee or the la-BORE-a-tree?

Easy – are you British? If so, you use the latter, and the Americans, the former.

8. Vase

There’s VAYS (rhymes with “lace”) and VAHZ (rhymes with “Oz”), but in the modern world, the latter pronunciation often comes off as too refined or “snooty” for most ears.

It is, of course, popular in Britain.

7. Mature

This one has more than two pronunciations – mah-CHURR, mah-CHOOR, and ma-TYOOR.

It used to be that pronunciations with the long ‘T’ were preferred and the others seen as lowbrow, but that’s shifted since the 1980s.

6. Tomato

This one has been made famous by a song, and New Englanders, especially, will cling to the tuh-MAH-toes with their cold, dead fingers.

The rest of us enjoy a nice summer tuh-MAY-toe and less pretension.

5. Appalachia

Have you visited Appa-LAY-sha or Appa-LATCH-a, my friends?

This one is probably dependent on which side of the Mason-Dixon line you call home. Northerners are more likely to pronounce the middle syllable like “lay,” while Southerners choose “latch.”

4. Gala

Will you be attending the GAY-luh or the GAL-uh, my good woman?

Well, properly it should be GAY-luh, since the stressed syllable ends in a vowel, but since the 1930s, either version is understood and accepted.

3. Leisure

LEH-shure or LEE-shure again comes down to South vs. North, with most Southerners preferring the British pronunciation that rhymes with “pleasure” and others opting to pronounce it so it rhymes with “seizure.”

2. Electoral

Where you you put the stress on this word – is it el-LECK-toral or el-ek-tore-ul? Maybe el-leck-TOR-al?

There’s no right answer, but the “uncultivated” latter choice is becoming more and more popular.

1. Celtic

Even though the traditional and native pronunciation is KEL-tick, the word came to English through French, which utilizes the softer ‘c’, resulting in SELL-tick.

Classical Latin would also demand the hard ‘c,’ but I would try convincing any Boston Celtics fans to change their ways, if I were you.

Good luck in the world of reading aloud. It’s designed to terrifying you!

Do you have a memory of making a mistake reading aloud? Share so we can all cringe along with you!