English spellings/Catalogs/C: Difference between revisions

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


'''C''' = '''sêe''' ''look''
'''C''' = '''sêe''' ''look''


'''cabál''' makes a [[minimal pair]] with '''kebáb'''; cf. '''câble'''
'''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''
'''cáche''' ''arms'' = '''cásh''' ''money''
'''cáddie''' ''golf'' = '''cáddy''' ''tea''
'''câdence'''


'''cadét
'''cadét
Line 14: Line 19:
'''càdrê''' AmE, BrE *càdə
'''càdrê''' AmE, BrE *càdə


'''cáddie''' ''golf'' = '''cáddy''' ''tea''
'''Caêsar''' *Sêezer


'''cáfè''' can be written with a French accent: '''''café''''' *cáfây
'''cáfè''' can be written with a French accent: '''''café''''' *cáfây
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'''cáffêine'''  
'''cáffêine'''  
'''câiman''' ''crocodile'' = '''Câyman''' ''Islands''


'''cãirn
'''cãirn
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'''Cálâis''' *Cállay
'''Cálâis''' *Cállay


'''Calcútta
'''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
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'''Califŏrnia''' -nyə
'''Califŏrnia''' -nyə
'''câliph''', '''cáliph'''; '''câliphate''', '''cáliphate''', '''calìphate'''


'''cåll''' ''name'', ''phone'', ''shout'' = '''cåul''' ''birth'', cf. '''Cál''' ''person''
'''cåll''' ''name'', ''phone'', ''shout'' = '''cåul''' ''birth'', cf. '''Cál''' ''person''
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'''càlm''' -àm, BrE and AmE
'''càlm''' -àm, BrE and AmE
'''cálorie'''


'''Câmbridge  
'''Câmbridge  


'''camêllia''' or '''caméllia''' cf. '''chamaêleon''' *camêliən
'''cámel'''
 
'''camêllia''': irregular '''ê''' before double consonant, *camêlia, cf. '''chamaêleon''' *camêliən


'''cámera
'''cámera
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'''cán''' ''able, tin'' = '''Cánnes''' ''France
'''cán''' ''able, tin'' = '''Cánnes''' ''France


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


'''Cânaan''' *Câynən, '''aa''' as schwa
'''Cânaan''' *Câynən, '''aa''' as schwa
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'''canásta
'''canásta
'''Canáveral'''


'''Cánberra''' -bərə, BrE *Cámborough
'''Cánberra''' -bərə, BrE *Cámborough
Line 94: 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''' ''stick, sugar'' = '''Câne''' = '''Câin''' ''Abel''  = '''Kâne''' ''Citizen'' = '''Kâine''' ''Tim''
 
'''cânîne'''


'''cánister''': one '''n
'''cánister''': one '''n
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'''cánnon''' = '''cánon
'''cánnon''' = '''cánon


'''cannót'''; or '''cánnot''' 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
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'''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''' or '''Câpe Vërdê
'''Câpe Vërde''', '''Câpe Vërdê


'''capíllary''' BrE; AmE '''cápillãry
'''capíllary''' BrE; AmE '''cápillãry


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


'''capítulate
'''capítulate


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


'''cáptain''' -ptin
'''cáptain''' -ptin
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'''cárapâce
'''cárapâce


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


'''càrbon dióxîde
'''càrbon dióxîde
'''carburéttor'''


'''càrcass''' ''body'' cf. '''Carácas
'''càrcass''' ''body'' cf. '''Carácas
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'''cãrer
'''cãrer


'''Cãrey''' = '''Cãry''' cf. '''Kérry''' ([[minimal pair]])
'''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
'''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


'''Carlîsle''' ''city, person'' = '''Carlŷle''' ''person''
'''Carlîsle''' ''city, person'' = '''Carlŷle''' ''person''
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'''Càrnaby
'''Càrnaby


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


'''càrnivore
'''càrnivore
'''cárol''' ''Christmas'' = '''Cárol''' = '''Cárole'''


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


'''cárry''' ''bring'' = '''Cárrie''' ''person''
'''cárry''' ''bring'' = '''Cárrie''' ''person''
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'''cáshmêre''' ''wool'' = '''Kashmìr''' ''Asia''
'''cáshmêre''' ''wool'' = '''Kashmìr''' ''Asia''
'''casìno''' makes a minimal pair with '''Cassìnì'''


'''cassàva
'''cassàva
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'''cát''' ''animal'' = '''qát''' ''drug
'''cát''' ''animal'' = '''qát''' ''drug


'''Cátalan
'''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'''; ‘Catalunya’ is Catalan
'''Catalônia'''—as for example in the title of [[George Orwell|Orwell]]'s ''Homage to Catalonia'' ('''''Catalunya''''' in [[Catalan language|Catalan]])


'''catàrrh''' *catàr, cf. '''Qátar
'''catàrrh''' *catàr, cf. '''Qátar
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'''catastróphic
'''catastróphic


'''cátchphrase''' probably one word more common than '''cátch phrâse
'''cátchphrase''' is probably more common as one word
 
[[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


'''câter
'''câter''' = '''Câtor


'''cáterpillar
'''cáterpillar


'''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]])
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'''cávêát''' (or '''a''' as [[schwa]])
'''cávêát''' (or '''a''' as [[schwa]])


'''Câyman Islands
'''Cávendish'''
 
'''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
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'''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]]
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'''céremony''' s-
'''céremony''' s-
'''Céri''' (from Welsh) = '''Kérry'''
'''certíficate''' -ət
'''cërtify'''


'''cërvical''' s- (some say '''cervîcal''')
'''cërvical''' s- (some say '''cervîcal''')
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'''chádŏr
'''chádŏr


'''chãir''' ''sit'' = '''Chér''' ''person'', making a [[minimal pair]] with '''shãre''' ''divide
'''Châffetz''' ''Jason''


'''chaise lóngue''' *shézz-lóng
'''cháffinch'''


'''chágrín''' sh- BrE; AmE *shəgrêen
'''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'''- = '''[[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]])
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'''chámois''' *shámwà
'''chámois''' *shámwà


'''champâgne''' *shámpâin makes a [[minimal pair]] with '''campâign''' *cámpâin (no capital '''c''' for the drink in BrE)
'''Champâgne''' ''France'', ''drink'' = '''Champaîgn''' ''Illinois'' *shámpâin; they make a [[minimal pair]] with '''campâign''' *cámpâin  


'''chāncellor
'''chāncellor
'''cháncre''' *shánker


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


'''châós''' *kâyóss
'''châós''' *kâyóss, cf. '''cháps
 
'''chapàti''' (there are some longer spellings)


'''chápel''' ''church'' = '''Cháppell''' ''person
'''chápel''' ''church'' = '''Cháppell''' ''person
Line 367: Line 426:


'''chàplain''' ''church'' = '''Cháplin''' ''person
'''chàplain''' ''church'' = '''Cháplin''' ''person
'''Chappáqua'''
'''Cháppaquíddick'''
'''Cháppell''' = '''chápel'''; also *Shapél


'''chárabanc''' *shárabang, cf. '''shebáng
'''chárabanc''' *shárabang, cf. '''shebáng
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'''chàrlatan''' sh-
'''chàrlatan''' sh-
'''Chàrleston''' ''dance, city'' *Chàrlston


'''Chàrlotte''' Sh-
'''Chàrlotte''' Sh-
'''Chàrlton
'''Cháron''' = '''Sháron'''; or *Kãrən


'''chãry''' cf. '''chãir
'''chãry''' cf. '''chãir
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'''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  
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'''chéque''' ''[[British English|BrE]] money''  = '''chéck''' ''verify, [[American English|AmE]] money'' = '''Czéch''' ''nationality
'''chéque''' ''[[British English|BrE]] money''  = '''chéck''' ''verify, [[American English|AmE]] money'' = '''Czéch''' ''nationality
'''Chér''' = '''shãre''', cf. '''chãir'''


'''Chernóbyl
'''Chernóbyl
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'''chérub'''  
'''chérub'''  


'''cherúbic'''  
'''cherúbic'''
 
'''Chéryl''' can be Sh-


'''chévron''' sh-
'''chévron''' sh-
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'''chèz''' *shây
'''chèz''' *shây


'''chìc''' sh-
'''Chháttisgarh''' *Cháttisgar, cf. '''Chándigarh'''
 
'''chî''' ''Greek letter χ'' *kî
 
'''chìc''' *shêek, cf. '''slêek''', '''chíck'''


'''Chicàgo''' Shí-, '''à''' sound in both BrE and AmE
'''Chicàgo''' Shí-, '''à''' sound in both BrE and AmE


'''chíck  
'''chíck''' ''chicken'', '''Chíck''' ''person''


'''chíckpêa''' one word or two
'''chíckpêa''' one word or two
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'''chihuàhua''' *tchiwàwa
'''chihuàhua''' *tchiwàwa


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


'''chîldbïrth''' one word  
'''chîldbïrth''' one word  


'''chíldren''' ''plural''  
'''chíldren''', plural of '''chîld'''


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


'''Chílean''' *Tchíllian (some say "Tchilâyan", perhaps in homage to the Spanish ''Chileno'')
'''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 481: Line 562:


'''chïrp'''
'''chïrp'''
'''chísel''' -zl
'''Chíslehurst''' -zl-


'''Chíswick''' *Tchízzick
'''Chíswick''' *Tchízzick
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'''chóck-a-blóck
'''chóck-a-blóck
'''chŏice''' makes a [[minimal pair]] with '''Jŏyce'''


'''choîr''' ''singers'' = '''quîre''' ''paper
'''choîr''' ''singers'' = '''quîre''' ''paper
Line 506: Line 593:
'''choôse''' ''select'' = '''cheŵs''' ''masticates
'''choôse''' ''select'' = '''cheŵs''' ''masticates


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


'''chorāle''' ''chorus'' = '''corrāl''' ''animals
'''chŏral''' ''chorus'' k-, cf. '''córal''' ''reef''
 
'''chorāle''' ''chorus'' k- = '''corrāl''' ''animals


'''chŏrd''' ''music'' = '''cŏrd''' ''rope, vocal
'''chŏrd''' ''music'' = '''cŏrd''' ''rope, vocal


'''chŏrus''' k-
'''chŏrus''' k-
'''choúgh''' ''bird'' *chúff, cf. '''chúffed''' ''pleased''


'''chòw''' ''dog, food'' = '''ciàô''' ''goodbye
'''chòw''' ''dog, food'' = '''ciàô''' ''goodbye


'''chòw miên'''  
'''chòw mêin'''  


'''chr'''- kr- (words that sound as if they begin 'chr-' may begin '''tr'''-)
'''chr'''- kr- (words that sound as if they begin 'chr-' may begin '''tr'''-)
'''Chrís''' = '''Krís''', cf. '''críss-cróss'''


'''Chrîst''' Kr-
'''Chrîst''' Kr-
Line 526: Line 619:
'''Chrístian''' *Kríshtchən or *Krístchen cf. '''crýstal
'''Chrístian''' *Kríshtchən or *Krístchen cf. '''crýstal


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


'''Chrístmas''' *Kríssməss
'''Chrístmas''' *Kríssməss
Line 534: Line 629:
'''chrôme''' kr-
'''chrôme''' kr-


'''chrónic''' kr-
'''chrónic''', '''chrónicle''' kr-


'''chrýsalis''' kríss-
'''chrýsalis''' kríss-
Line 541: Line 636:


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


'''chürch
'''chürch
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'''ciàô''' ''goodbye'' = '''chòw''' ''dog, food''  
'''ciàô''' ''goodbye'' = '''chòw''' ''dog, food''  
'''cicàda''' BrE; AmE '''cicâda'''


'''Cícely''' ''person'' = '''Sícily''' ''Italy
'''Cícely''' ''person'' = '''Sícily''' ''Italy
Line 571: Line 670:


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


'''cïrcle
'''cïrcle
Line 586: Line 687:
'''cïrcumstance'''  
'''cïrcumstance'''  


'''císsy''' ''weak'' = '''Císsy''' ''person'' = '''síssy''' ''weak
'''Cîrencéster'''
 
'''cirrhôsis''', cf. '''psorîasis'''
 
'''císsy''' = '''Císsy''' = '''síssy'''  


'''citâtion''' cf. '''situâtion
'''citâtion''' cf. '''situâtion
Line 603: Line 708:


'''civílian''': one '''l  
'''civílian''': one '''l  
'''cívvies


'''Clãir''' = '''Clãire''' = '''Clãre
'''Clãir''' = '''Clãire''' = '''Clãre
Line 609: Line 716:


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


'''clándestîne'''; some say '''clandéstíne
'''clándestîne'''; some say '''clandéstíne
Line 623: Line 732:


'''clárify
'''clárify
'''clarinéttist''' BrE, AmE '''clarinétist'''


'''clárity
'''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)
'''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)
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'''clërk''' AmE; BrE = '''Clàrk''' = '''Clàrke''' ''persons
'''clërk''' AmE; BrE = '''Clàrk''' = '''Clàrke''' ''persons
'''cléver'''


'''clìchè''' *clêeshây
'''clìchè''' *clêeshây
'''clíck''' ''sound'', cf. '''clìque''' ''gang'', see below
'''clíckbâit'''


'''clîmb''' ''up'' = '''clîme''' ''weather
'''clîmb''' ''up'' = '''clîme''' ''weather


'''clìque''' *clêek, cf. '''clíck
'''clìque''' *clêek; some AmE = '''clíck


'''clóckwörk''' one word  
'''clóckwörk''' one word  


'''clôse''' ''shut'' = '''clôze''' ''test''; '''clôse''' ''near, cul-de-sac'' *clôce
'''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-
'''clôser''' ''more'' -ss-, '''clôser''' ''end'' -z-
Line 684: Line 803:
'''côal''' ''fuel'' = '''Côle''' ''person
'''côal''' ''fuel'' = '''Côle''' ''person


'''coalésce''' *côwəl-éss
'''coalésce''' *côəl-éss


'''coalítion''' *côwəl-íshən
'''coalítion''' *côəl-íshən


'''côalman''' ''coal'' = '''Côleman''' ''person
'''côalman''' ''coal'' = '''Côleman''' ''person
Line 701: Line 820:


'''cóbra''' or '''côbra
'''cóbra''' or '''côbra
'''cocâine''' ('''ô''' or schwa; weak = '''Cockâigne''')


'''cóchineal
'''cóchineal
'''Cockâigne''' ('''ó''' or schwa; weak = '''cocâine''')


'''Côckburn''' = '''Côburn''' ''persons
'''Côckburn''' = '''Côburn''' ''persons
'''Cóckermòuth''' or -məth


'''cóck-up
'''cóck-up
Line 723: Line 848:


'''coërce
'''coërce
'''coërcion''' -sh-


'''CofÊ''' ''Church of England'' *sêeyəvêe
'''CofÊ''' ''Church of England'' *sêeyəvêe
Line 738: Line 865:
'''Coìmbra''' *Quêenborough
'''Coìmbra''' *Quêenborough


'''côíncidence''' no hyphen
'''coincîde''', '''coíncídence''', cô-í-, without hyphens


'''cojônes''' *cohôniz
'''cojônes''' *cohôniz
'''côke''' ''fuel'' = '''Côke''' ''Coca Cola'' = '''Kôch''' ''brothers''


'''còlander''' cf. '''cálendar
'''còlander''' cf. '''cálendar
Line 748: Line 877:
'''[[coleslaw|côleslaw]]''' is probably more common nowadays than '''côle slåw
'''[[coleslaw|côleslaw]]''' is probably more common nowadays than '''côle slåw


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


'''colláborate
'''colláborate
Line 756: Line 885:
'''collápse
'''collápse


'''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'''  


'''Cóllins
'''Cóllins''', cf. '''Cólin


'''collóssal
'''collóssal
Line 768: Line 901:
'''collûde
'''collûde


'''Colôgne''' ''Germany'' = '''colôgne''' ''perfume'' *kəlôan
'''Colôgne''' ''Germany'' = '''colôgne''' ''perfume'' *kəlôn


'''Colòmbia''' ''country'' = '''Colúmbia''' ''British, company''; some prefer the Spanish -'''ló'''-, but there seems little danger of confusion
'''Colòmbia''' ''country'' = '''Colúmbia''' ''company, [[British Columbia|British]]'' (-'''ló'''- is the Spanish and a [[spelling pronunciation]])


'''Colòmbo''' ''Sri Lanka'' = '''Colúmbo''' ''TV series
'''Colòmbo''' ''Sri Lanka'' = '''Colúmbo''' ''TV series
Line 776: Line 909:
'''côlon
'''côlon


'''cölonel''' ''army'' = '''kërnel''' ''nut''
'''cölonel''' ''army'' = BrE '''kërnel''' ''nut'' *kënl


'''colônial
'''colônial
Line 809: Line 942:


'''cómbatant''' or '''combátant
'''cómbatant''' or '''combátant
'''combîne''' ''verb
'''cómbine-hàrvester
'''còme'''


'''còmeback''' ''noun, adjective'' one word
'''còmeback''' ''noun, adjective'' one word
Line 830: Line 969:
'''comménd
'''comménd


'''cómment
'''cómmént


'''commërcial
'''commërcial
Line 837: Line 976:


'''commíttee
'''commíttee
'''cómmonplace''' ''common'' one word


'''commûnal
'''commûnal
Line 843: Line 984:


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


'''cómmunism  
'''cómmunism  
Line 859: Line 1,002:


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


'''compássion
'''compássion
Line 877: Line 1,024:


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


'''cómpóst
'''cómpóst
Line 906: Line 1,055:
'''concéptual
'''concéptual


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


'''concéssion
'''concéssion
Line 930: Line 1,079:
'''condôlences'''
'''condôlences'''


'''cóndom  
'''cóndom''', '''cóndóm'''


'''cóndŏr  
'''cóndŏr  
Line 937: Line 1,086:


'''cóndûít''' or -dwít; BrE was once *cóndit or *cúndit, but now regularised
'''cóndûít''' or -dwít; BrE was once *cóndit or *cúndit, but now regularised
'''cône'''
'''Côney
'''conféctionery'''


'''confër
'''confër
Line 957: Line 1,112:


'''cóngruent''' or '''congrûent
'''cóngruent''' or '''congrûent
'''cónical''' make a minimal pair with '''chrónicle'''
'''cónifer'''


'''cóniìne''' -'''iì'''-
'''cóniìne''' -'''iì'''-
Line 974: Line 1,133:
'''connoissëur''': -'''oi'''- as schwa: *connəssür
'''connoissëur''': -'''oi'''- as schwa: *connəssür


'''cónquer''' ''win'' = '''cónker''' ''nut
'''Cónor''' ''given'' = '''Cónnor''' ''family''
 
'''cónquer''' ''win'' = '''cónker''' ''nut'' *cóngker
 
'''cónquést''' *cóngkwest, cf. '''quést'''


'''cónquest''' cf. '''quést
<nowiki>*</nowiki>conscient should be '''cónscious


'''consciéntious''' *cónshì-énshəs, *cónshénshəs
'''consciéntious''' *cónshì-énshəs, *cónshénshəs
Line 984: Line 1,147:
'''consénsus''' cf. '''consént''', '''cénsus''', '''concéntric
'''consénsus''' cf. '''consént''', '''cénsus''', '''concéntric


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


'''cónsequence
'''cónsequence''' cónsí-, cf. '''sêquence


'''consërvative
'''consërvative
Line 1,001: Line 1,164:


'''consólidate
'''consólidate
'''cónsonant


'''cónsŏrt''' ''noun'' cf. '''cóncert''', '''e''' as schwa
'''cónsŏrt''' ''noun'' cf. '''cóncert''', '''e''' as schwa


'''consŏrt''' ''verb
'''consŏrt''' ''verb
'''consŏrtium''' as written or -shm


'''conspíracy
'''conspíracy
Line 1,027: Line 1,194:


'''contémptible
'''contémptible
'''conténd''' ''struggle''


'''contént''' ''happy
'''contént''' ''happy
Line 1,036: Line 1,205:
'''contéxtual
'''contéxtual


'''contínûùm''' -nyû-
'''contínûùm''' -tínyûəm


'''cóntoûr
'''cóntoûr
Line 1,054: Line 1,223:
'''contribûtion
'''contribûtion


<nowiki>*contributer</nowiki> '''contríbûtor'''
<nowiki>*contríbyəter</nowiki> '''contríbutor'''


'''contrôl
'''contrôl
Line 1,065: Line 1,234:


'''conúndrum
'''conúndrum
'''cónvíct''' ''noun'', '''convíct''' ''verb''


'''cónvoy
'''cónvoy
Line 1,070: Line 1,241:
'''coòk''' ''kitchen'' = '''Coòk''' = '''Coòke''' ''persons
'''coòk''' ''kitchen'' = '''Coòk''' = '''Coòke''' ''persons


'''Coômbs''' = '''Coômbes''' *Coûmz
'''coôlie''' *kûli
 
'''Coômbs''' = '''Coômbes''' *Cûmz
 
'''coôp'''
 
'''coôper''' = '''Coôper'''


'''cooperâtion''' côwóp-, cf. '''cŏrporation
'''cooperâtion''' côwóp-, cf. '''cŏrporation
Line 1,076: Line 1,253:
'''coóperative''' côwóp-
'''coóperative''' côwóp-


'''Copenhâgen Cô'''-; or -'''hàgen
'''Copenhâgen''': '''Cô'''-; or -'''hàgen


'''cóps''' ''police'' = '''Kóp''' ''Liverpool
'''cóps''' ''police'' = '''Kóp''' ''Liverpool
Line 1,099: Line 1,276:


'''cŏre''' ''apple'' = '''cŏrps''' ''army
'''cŏre''' ''apple'' = '''cŏrps''' ''army
'''cŏrnea''' -nìə


'''cŏrnerstône''' one word  
'''cŏrnerstône''' one word  
Line 1,117: Line 1,296:


'''corrāl''' AmE ''animals''; BrE = '''chorāle''' ''choral
'''corrāl''' AmE ''animals''; BrE = '''chorāle''' ''choral
'''corrālled


'''correspóndence''', '''correspóndent''' (unlike French, which has -ance, -ant)
'''correspóndence''', '''correspóndent''' (unlike French, which has -ance, -ant)
Line 1,126: 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''
 
'''Cótham''' ''Bristol'' *Cóttam


'''cóttage''' -íj
'''cóttage''' -íj
Line 1,138: Line 1,323:
'''còuchant
'''còuchant


'''couchétte''' cûsh-
'''couchétte''' *coô-shét


'''coûgar''' *coôger
'''coûgar''' *coôger
Line 1,152: Line 1,337:
'''còunt
'''còunt


'''còunty''' cf. '''coúntry
'''còunter''' ''noun''
 
'''còunter-''' ''opposite'', hyphenated: '''còunter-clâim''', '''còunter-productive'''  


'''còunterfeít
'''còunterfeít'''; '''còunterfeíter''' rhymes with (ends like) '''fítter'''


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


'''coúntry''' *cúntry, cf. '''còunty''' and '''còunt''', which begin with the '''còw''' sound ("còwntry" is, understandably, a common mispronunciation among foreign learners)
'''còunty''' cf. '''coúntry


'''coûp''' ''d’état'' = '''coô''' ''bird
'''coûp''' ''d’état'' = '''coô''' ''bird
Line 1,176: Line 1,363:
'''cöurtesy''' ''politeness'' cf. '''cürtsey''' ''bow'' ([[minimal pair]])
'''cöurtesy''' ''politeness'' cf. '''cürtsey''' ''bow'' ([[minimal pair]])


'''coúsin''' *cúzzen
'''coúsin''' *cúzzen rhymes with '''dòzen'''


'''Cóvent Gàrden
'''Cóvent Gàrden
Line 1,182: Line 1,369:
'''còver
'''còver


'''côvert''' cf. '''ovërt
'''côvert''', '''còvert''', cf. '''ovërt


'''còvet''' -ít
'''còvet''' -ít
Line 1,194: Line 1,381:
'''Cóx''' = '''cócks
'''Cóx''' = '''cócks


'''cŏyôtê''' AmE *kîôat
'''cŏyôtê''' BrE; AmE *kîôat
 
'''cráb''' = '''Crább''' = '''Crábbe'''
 
'''cráckdown''' ''noun'', '''cráck dòwn''' ''verb''


'''cráckpot''' ''noun'' one word  
'''cráckpot''' ''noun'' one word  
Line 1,205: Line 1,396:


'''cråwl''' ''ground'' = '''Kråll''' ''person''
'''cråwl''' ''ground'' = '''Kråll''' ''person''
'''Creâgh''' = '''Crây


'''crêak''' ''noise'' = '''crêek''' ''water''
'''crêak''' ''noise'' = '''crêek''' ''water''
Line 1,210: Line 1,403:
'''crêam
'''crêam


'''crêâte
'''creâte''' *crêe-âte


'''crêâtion''' -êâshən
'''creâtion''' *crêe-âshən


'''crêature''' -ch-
'''crêature''' -ch-
Line 1,236: Line 1,429:
'''crêosote
'''crêosote


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


'''crescéndo''' -sh-
'''crescéndo''' -sh-


'''créscent''' *crézzənt, *créssənt
'''créscent''' *crézzənt, *créssənt
'''crétin'''


'''crévíce  
'''crévíce  
Line 1,253: Line 1,448:


'''crîme''' cf. '''crêam''' ([[minimal pair]])
'''crîme''' cf. '''crêam''' ([[minimal pair]])
'''Crimêa''' *Crî-mêə


'''críminal
'''críminal


'''Crimêa''' *Crî-mêə
'''crîsís''' -s, pl. '''crîsês''' -z


'''críss-cróss''', cf. '''Chrís''', '''cróss
'''críss-cróss''', cf. '''Chrís''', '''cróss
Line 1,277: Line 1,474:


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


Line 1,285: Line 1,481:


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


'''cróss-examinâtion
'''cróss-examinâtion
Line 1,294: Line 1,496:
'''crûcible
'''crûcible


'''crûcifíxion
'''crûcifíxion''' *crûci-'''fíction


'''crûise''' -ûz
'''Crûickshank''' -ûk-
 
'''crûise''' = '''Crûz''' = '''creŵs'''


'''crúmb''' -m
'''crúmb''' -m
Line 1,303: Line 1,507:


'''crúx
'''crúx
'''Crûz''' = '''crûise'''


'''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''')


'''cúckold
'''cúckold


'''cùckoô''' cf. '''coòk
'''cùckoô''', first syllable sounding like '''coòk


'''cûe''' ''snooker, theatre'' = '''queûe''' ''line'' = '''Keŵ''' ''Gardens
'''cûe''' ''snooker, theatre'' = '''queûe''' ''line'' = '''Keŵ''' ''Gardens
Line 1,322: Line 1,532:
'''cúlprit
'''cúlprit


'''cúm''' ''with'' = '''còme''' ''here
'''cúlt
 
'''cúm''' ''with, orgasm'' = '''còme''' ''here


'''Cúmmings''' ''person'' = '''còmings''' ''and goings
'''Cúmmings''' ''person'' = '''còmings''' ''and goings
'''cúmqùat''' = '''kúmqùat'''


'''cûneífŏrm''' rhymes with '''ûniform
'''cûneífŏrm''' rhymes with '''ûniform
Line 1,336: 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 1,349: 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 1,359: Line 1,575:


'''cùshion''' cf. '''percússion''', both -shən
'''cùshion''' cf. '''percússion''', both -shən
'''cússed''' *cússid


'''cústard
'''cústard
Line 1,367: Line 1,585:


'''cút-prîce
'''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-
'''cy'''- s-


'''cýclamen''' s-
'''cýclamen'''  


'''cŷcle''' s-
'''cŷcle'''  


'''cýclical''' s-
'''cýclical'''  


'''cŷclist''' s-
'''cŷclist'''  


'''cýgnet''' ''swan'' = '''sígnet''' ''ring
'''cýgnet''' ''swan'' = '''sígnet''' ''ring
Line 1,383: 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


'''cýst''' s-
'''Cýril


'''cýnic''' s-
'''Cyríllic


'''cýnicism
'''Cŷrus
 
'''cýst'''


'''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