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''


'''c.''' = '''''cïrca''''', not normally spelt out
'''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''' makes a [[minimal pair]] with '''kebáb'''; cf. '''câble'''
'''cabál''', '''cabàl


'''cáche''' ''arms'' = '''cásh''' ''money''
'''cáche''' ''arms'' = '''cásh''' ''money''
'''cáddie''' ''golf'' = '''cáddy''' ''tea''
'''câdence'''


'''cadét
'''cadét
Line 16: 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
Line 23: Line 26:


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


'''cãirn
'''cãirn
Line 32: Line 37:
'''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 96: 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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'''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
'''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 language|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 369: 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-
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'''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 508: 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 528: 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 536: Line 629:
'''chrôme''' kr-
'''chrôme''' kr-


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


'''chrýsalis''' kríss-
'''chrýsalis''' kríss-
Line 543: 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 574: Line 671:
'''cïr'''-  
'''cïr'''-  


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


'''cïrcle
'''cïrcle
Line 590: Line 687:
'''cïrcumstance'''  
'''cïrcumstance'''  


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


'''citâtion''' cf. '''situâtion
'''citâtion''' cf. '''situâtion
Line 607: Line 708:


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


'''Clãir''' = '''Clãire''' = '''Clãre
'''Clãir''' = '''Clãire''' = '''Clãre
Line 613: Line 716:


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


'''clándestîne'''; some say '''clandéstíne
'''clándestîne'''; some say '''clandéstíne
Line 627: 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 688: 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 705: 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 727: Line 848:


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


'''CofÊ''' ''Church of England'' *sêeyəvêe
'''CofÊ''' ''Church of England'' *sêeyəvêe
Line 742: 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 752: 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 760: 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 772: 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 780: Line 909:
'''côlon
'''côlon


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


'''colônial
'''colônial
Line 813: Line 942:


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


'''còmeback''' ''noun, adjective'' one word
'''còmeback''' ''noun, adjective'' one word
Line 834: Line 969:
'''comménd
'''comménd


'''cómment
'''cómmént


'''commërcial
'''commërcial
Line 841: Line 976:


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


'''commûnal
'''commûnal
Line 847: Line 984:


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


'''cómmunism  
'''cómmunism  
Line 863: Line 1,002:


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


'''compássion
'''compássion
Line 881: Line 1,024:


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


'''cómpóst
'''cómpóst
Line 910: Line 1,055:
'''concéptual
'''concéptual


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


'''concéssion
'''concéssion
Line 934: Line 1,079:
'''condôlences'''
'''condôlences'''


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


'''cóndŏr  
'''cóndŏr  
Line 941: 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 961: Line 1,112:


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


'''cóniìne''' -'''iì'''-
'''cóniìne''' -'''iì'''-
Line 978: 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 988: 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 1,005: 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 1,031: Line 1,194:


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


'''contént''' ''happy
'''contént''' ''happy
Line 1,040: Line 1,205:
'''contéxtual
'''contéxtual


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


'''cóntoûr
'''cóntoûr
Line 1,058: Line 1,223:
'''contribûtion
'''contribûtion


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


'''contrôl
'''contrôl
Line 1,069: Line 1,234:


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


'''cónvoy
'''cónvoy
Line 1,074: 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 1,080: Line 1,253:
'''coóperative''' côwóp-
'''coóperative''' côwóp-


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


'''cóps''' ''police'' = '''Kóp''' ''Liverpool
'''cóps''' ''police'' = '''Kóp''' ''Liverpool
Line 1,103: Line 1,276:


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


'''cŏrnerstône''' one word  
'''cŏrnerstône''' one word  
Line 1,121: 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 1,130: 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 1,142: Line 1,323:
'''còuchant
'''còuchant


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


'''coûgar''' *coôger
'''coûgar''' *coôger
Line 1,156: 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 1,180: 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 1,186: Line 1,369:
'''còver
'''còver


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


'''còvet''' -ít
'''còvet''' -ít
Line 1,198: 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 1,209: Line 1,396:


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


'''crêak''' ''noise'' = '''crêek''' ''water''
'''crêak''' ''noise'' = '''crêek''' ''water''
Line 1,214: Line 1,403:
'''crêam
'''crêam


'''crêâte
'''creâte''' *crêe-âte


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


'''crêature''' -ch-
'''crêature''' -ch-
Line 1,240: Line 1,429:
'''crêosote
'''crêosote


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


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


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


'''crévíce  
'''crévíce  
Line 1,257: 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 1,281: Line 1,474:


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


Line 1,289: Line 1,481:


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


'''cróss-examinâtion
'''cróss-examinâtion
Line 1,298: Line 1,496:
'''crûcible
'''crûcible


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


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


'''crúmb''' -m
'''crúmb''' -m
Line 1,307: 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 1,326: 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 1,340: 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 1,353: 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 1,363: Line 1,575:


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


'''cústard
'''cústard
Line 1,371: 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 1,387: 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 skin ≈ Cállas 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 feel ≈ cénsure 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

Cítroen ™ car = 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

cô 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 (-ló- 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, Có-

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 -iì-

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: Cô-; 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

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