Comparison of American and British English |
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Differences in pronunciation between American English (AmE) and British English (BrE) can be divided into:
In the following discussion:
Subscript a or b means that the relevant unstressed vowel is also reduced to /ə/ or /ɪ/ in AmE or BrE, respectively.
For many loanwords from French where AmE has kept the original French final-syllable stress, BrE stresses an earlier syllable. French loanwords that differ in stress only are listed below.
BrE | AmE | words with relevant syllable stressed in each dialect[1] |
---|---|---|
1st | last | barragea,[nb 1] batonab*, bereta[nb 2], bidet, blaséA2, bouffantA2,[nb 3] brasserieb, brassiereab, brevetabA2,[2] brochurebB2*,[nb 4][3] buffeta,[nb 5][4] cachetA2, café*a*b, caffeineA2, canardaB1,[5] chagrina, chaletA2, cliché*a, collagea*B2, croissant*a, debrisaA2,[nb 6] debut, décorA2, detailaA2, figurine, flambé,[nb 7] frappé, garageaB2,[nb 8] gourmetA2, lamé[nb 9], matinée, milieuB2, negligeeA2, nonchalantbA2, nondescript, parquet*b, pastelB2b, pastilleb,[nb 10] pâté,[nb 11] précisA2, sachet, salona, savantabA2, solfège,[7] sorbet,[nb 12] soupçon,[8] vaccine, massage.
Also some French names, including: Degas, Dijon,[9] Dumas,[10] Manet,[11] Monet,[nb 13][12] Renaulta,[nb 14][13] Rimbaud.[nb 15][14] |
2nd | last | attaché, consomméa, cor anglaisB2, décolleté, déclassé, démodé,[15] denouement, distingué, escargot, exposé, fiancé(e)A2,[nb 16] retroussé. |
last | 1st | addressbA1 (noun), decadebB1,[nb 17][16] esquireb*A2, magazineA2, mayonnaiseA2 tiradeA2, ((bi)p)artisana.B1/2[nb 18] |
2nd | 1st | artisanalA1, liaisonabA2*[nb 19], macraméab, Renaissanceab[nb 20] |
Most 2-syllable verbs ending -ate have first-syllable stress in AmE and second-syllable stress in BrE. This includes castrate, cremateA2,[17] dictateA2, donateA2, locateA2, migrate, narratebA2, placatebB2, prostrate, pulsate, rotate, serrateA2, spectate, striate,[18] translateA1, vacateb*A2,[19] vibrateA2. Examples where AmE and BrE match include create, debate, equate, elate, negate; and mandate and probate with first-syllable stress. Derived nouns in -ator retains the distinction, but those in -ation do not. Also, migratoryB1[20] and vibratoryB1 [21] sometimes retain the distinction.
Most longer -ate verbs are pronounced the same in AmE and BrE, but a few have first-syllable stress in BrE and second-syllable stress in AmE: elongateaA2, infiltrateA2, remonstrateabA2,[22] tergiversateaA1[nb 21].[23] For some derived adjectives ending -atory stress-shifting to -a(tory)- occurs in BrE. Among these cases are celebratorya[24] (BrE: /ˌsɛlɪˈbreɪtəri/), compensatorya,[25] participatorya,[26] regulatoryaB1.[27] AmE stresses the same syllable as the corresponding -ate verb (except compensatory, where AmE stresses the second syllable). A further -atory difference is laboratoryB2: AmE /ˈlæbərəˌtɔːri, ˈlæbrə-/ and BrE /ləˈbɒrətəri, -rətri/.[28]
There are a number of cases where same-spelled noun, verb and/or adjective have uniform stress in one dialect but distinct stress in the other (e.g. alternate, prospect): see initial-stress-derived noun.
The following table lists words not brought up in the discussion so far where the main difference between AmE and BrE is in stress. Usually it also follows a reduction of the unstressed vowel. Words marked with subscript A or B are exceptions to this, and thus retains a full vowel in the (relatively) unstressed syllable of AmE or BrE. A subsequent asterisk, *, means that the full vowel is usually retained; a preceding * means that the full vowel is sometimes retained.
Words with other points of difference are listed in a later table.
BrE | AmE | words with relevant syllable stressed in each dialect[1] |
---|---|---|
1st | 2nd | BalthazarA, cerebral/cerebrumA2, illustrativeA2, omegaA, patinaA1, stalactiteA2, stalagmiteA2, SuezA2*, subalternA2, thanksgivingABB2, transferenceAA2, UlyssesA |
2nd | 1st | ancillaryB, AugustineBA2, catenary, controversyB1, corollary, defence/offenseAA2 (sport), fritillary, guffawA1,[29] marshmallowAB,[nb 22] miscellany,[nb 23] patronal, predicative, pretence/pretenseAA1, princess*AA2, saxophonistBB2, spread(-)eagledAB,[30] substratumABA2, tracheaAB2 |
1st | 3rd | opportuneAB |
2nd | 3rd | submarinerA2 |
3rd | 1st | hemoglobinAB, margarineB, PyreneesAB |
3rd | 2nd | arytenoidA1, centrifugalB2, obscurantismABA2[31] |
Where the syllable preceding the suffixes -ary, -ery, -ory, -mony or -ative is unstressed, AmE pronounces the antepenultimate syllable with a full vowel sound: /ˌɛri/ for -ary and -ery, /ˌɔːri/ for -ory, /ˌmoʊni/ for -mony and /ˌeɪtɪv/ -ative. BrE reduces the vowel to a schwa or even elides it completely: /əri/ or /ri/, /məni/ and /ətɪv/ -ative. So military is AmE /ˈmɪləˌtɛri/ and BrE /ˈmɪlɪtəri/ or /ˈmɪlɪtri/,[32] inventory is AmE /ˈɪnvənˌtɔːri/ and BrE /ˈɪnvəntəri, -vəntri/,[33] testimony is AmE /ˈtɛstəˌmoʊni/ and BrE /ˈtɛstɪməni/[34] and innovative is AmE /ˈɪnoʊˌveɪtɪv/ or /ˈɪnəˌveɪtɪv/ and BrE /ˈɪnəvətɪv/.[35] (The elision is avoided in carefully enunciated speech, especially with endings -rary,-rery,-rory.[citation needed])
Where the syllable preceding -ary, -ery, -ory, -mony or -ative is stressed however, AmE also usually reduces the vowel: /əri/, /məni/. Exceptions include library,[36] primaryA2,[37] rosemary.[38] (Pronouncing library as /ˈlaɪˌbɛri/ rather than /ˈlaɪˌbrɛri/ is highly stigmatized in AmE,[citation needed] whereas in BrE, /ˈlaɪbri/ is common in rapid or casual speech.)
The suffix -berry is pronounced by similar rules, except that in BrE it may be full /ˌbɛri/ after an unstressed syllable, while in AmE it is usually full in all cases. Thus we have strawberry: BrE /ˈstrɔːbəri, -bri/, AmE /ˈstrɔːˌbɛri/, and whortleberry: BrE/AmE /ˈwɔːrtəlˌbɛri/.
The placename component -bury (e.g. Canterbury) has a similar difference: AmE has a full vowel: /ˌbɛri/ where BrE has a reduced or none at all: /bəri, bri/.
Note that stress differences between the dialects occur with some words ending in -atory (listed above) and a few others like capillary (included in #Miscellaneous stress above).
Formerly the BrE–AmE distinction for adjectives carried over to corresponding adverbs ending -arily, -erily or -orily. However, nowadays some BrE speakers adopt the AmE practice of shifting the stress to the antepenultimate syllable: militarily is thus sometimes /ˌmɪlɪˈtɛrɪli/ rather than /ˈmɪlɪtrəli/, and necessarily is in BrE either /ˈnɛsəsərɪli, -səsrɪ-/ or /ˌnɛsɪˈsɛrɪli/[39]
Words ending in unstressed -ile derived from Latin adjectives ending -ilis are mostly pronounced with a full vowel in BrE /aɪl/ but a reduced vowel or syllabic L in AmE /əl/ (e.g. fertile rhymes with fur tile in BrE but with furtle in AmE).
AmE will (unlike BrE, except when indicated withB2) have a reduced last vowel:
In some words the pronunciation /iːl/ also comes into play:
Related endings -ility, -ilize, -iliary are pronounced the same in AmE as BrE.
The suffix -ine,[7] when unstressed, is pronounced sometimes /aɪn/ (e.g. feline), sometimes /iːn/ (e.g. morphine) and sometimes /ɪn/ (e.g. medicine). Some words have variable pronunciation within BrE, or within AmE, or between BrE and AmE. Generally, AmE is more likely to favor /iːn/ or /ɪn/, and BrE to favor /aɪn/.
BrE /aɪn/, AmE (1) /iːn/: carbineA2, FlorentineA2, philistineA2, pristineB2[nb 26], salineA2, serpentineA2.
BrE /aɪn/, AmE (1) /iːn/ (2) /ɪn/: adamantineA2.
BrE /aɪn/, AmE /ɪn/: uterineB2.
BrE /aɪn/, AmE (1) /ɪn/ (2) /aɪn/ (3) /iːn/: crystalline, labyrinthine.[44]
The title Saint before a person's name has a weak form in BrE but not AmE: before vowels, /sənt/.[45]
These tables list words pronounced differently but spelled the same. See also the table of words with different pronunciation reflected in the spelling.
Words with multiple points of difference of pronunciation are in the table after this one. Accent-based differences are ignored. For example, Moscow is RP [mɒskəʊ] and GAm [mɑskaʊ], but only the /oʊ/-/aʊ/ difference is highlighted here, since both the [ɒ]-[ɑː] difference and the RP use of [əʊ] rather than [oʊ] are predictable from the accent. Also, tiara is listed with AmE /æ/; the marry–merry–Mary merger changes this vowel for many Americans. Some AmE types are listed as /ɒ/ where GAm merges to /ɑː/.
A2 means that American speakers may use either pronunciation;B2 means British speakers may use either pronunciation.
BrE | AmE | Words |
---|---|---|
/ɑː/ | /æ/ | Excluding words changed by the trap–bath split,[46] (which affects most southern British speakers and almost no American speakers): banana, choraleA2, ColoradoA2, cyclorama, diorama, Internationale, khakiA2, localeA2, morale, musicale, NevadaA2,[nb 27][47] pajama(s)A2, PakistaniA2, panoramaA2, pastorale, plaqueB2, rale, rationale, Sahara, scenarioA2, sopranoA2, SudanB2, sultana, tiaraA2 |
/æ/ | /ɑː/ | "A" in the anglicised pronunciation of many foreign names and loanwords, e.g.: AnkaraA2, aquaA2, Basra, Boccaccio, CaracasB2, Casablanca, Casals, caveatA2, Cezanne, chiantiA2, Delgado, goulashA2, grappa, Gulag, hacienda, kebab,[48] Las (placenames, e.g. Las Vegas), lasagnaB2, latteB2, Lausanne, macho, mafiaA2, MilanA2, Mohammed, MombasaA2, paso doble, pasta, patioA1, PicassoA2, pilaff, Rachmaninoff, rallentandoA2, ravioli, regattaA2, SlovakA2, squacco, Sri LankaA2, Uganda, Vasco da Gama, Vivaldi, wigwam |
/ɑː/ | /eɪ/ | charade, cicadaA2, pralineB2,[49] tomatoA2, stratumB2[nb 28] [7] |
/æ/ | /eɪ/ | basilA2 (plant), canineB2, granary, (im)placable, macronA2, pal(a)eo-, (com/un)patriot(ic)B2, (ex/re)patriate/-ationB2, phalanxA2, plaitA2, Sabine, satrapA2, satyrA2[7] |
/eɪ/ | /æ/ | apparatusA2, apricotA2, comrade, dahliaA2, digitalisA2, gratisB2, patentB2, statusA2[7] |
/æ/ | /ɒ/ | twatB2 |
/ɒ/ | /æ/ | quagmireB2,[50] scallopB2, wrath[nb 29] |
/ɔː/ | /oʊ/ | porousA1 |
/oʊ/ | /ɔː/, /ɒ/ | wontA2 |
/ɔː/ | /ɑː/ | schmaltzA2 |
/æ/ | /ɔː/ | asphalt |
/ɒ/ | /ɔː/ | Excluding words changed by the lot-cloth split: alcohol, atoll, gnocchi, oratory, parasol, sausage[51] |
/ɔː/ | /ɒ/ | leprechaun[52] |
/ɔː/ | /ʊ/ | courgette[nb 30], your |
/ɔːl, ɔː/ | /æl/ | falconA2[nb 31][7][53] |
/iː/ | /ɛ/ | Aesculapius, Aeschylus, (a)esthete/-ticB2,[54] an(a)esthetist/-ize, amenityB2,[55] besti(al/ary), breveA2, D(a)edalus, ecumenicalB2, epochalB1,[56] eraA2, esotericB2,[57] h(a)emo-, Hephaestus, hygienicA2, hysteriaA2, KenyaB2, methaneB2, OedipusA2, (o)estrogenB2,[58] (o)estrusB2,[59] p(a)edophile, penalizeA2, Ph(a)edrus, predecessorA2, predilectionA2, pyrethrinA2, qu(a)estor, schizophreniaA2, senileA2, (bi/quin/quarter)centenaryB2 |
/ɛ/ | /iː/ | crematoriumA2, cretin, depotA2, eco-B2, leisureA2, presentationA2, reconnoit(re/er)A2, zebraB2 |
/iː/ | /eɪ/ | beta, eta, heinousB2, quayA2, reparteeA2, theta, zeta |
/eɪ/ | /iː/ | Haggai,[60] HeleneA2, IsraelA2 |
/ɛ/ | /eɪ/ | ateB2, mêléeA2,[7] presa |
/eɪ/ | /ɛ/ | again(st)B2, nonpareil[7] |
/iː/ | /ə/ | Los AngelesB2 |
/ɒ/ | /ʌ/ | hoverA2, want(ed). Also the strong forms of these function words: (every/some/no/any)bodyA2, from, of, Somme, was, whatA2 |
/ʌ/ | /ɒ/ | accompliceB2,[61] accomplishB2,[62] colanderB2, conjureA2, constableB2, monetaryA2, -mongerA2 |
/ɒ/ | /oʊ/ | adios, Aeroflot, ayatollah, Barbados, baroqueB2,[63] BoccheriniA2, Bogota, calvados, Chopin, cognacA2, compost, grossoA2, ErosA2, homo-B2, Interpol, logos (singular)A2, Lod, olfactoryA2, pedagogyA2, Pinocchio, pogrom, polkaB2, produce (noun)A2, professorial, prophy-(lactic/laxis), protegeB2,[64] ProvencalA2, realpolitik, Rosh HashanahA2, shone, solsticeA2, sojourn, Sonia,[65] TolstoyA2, trollB2, yogurtB2[66] |
/oʊ/ | /ɒ/ | Adonis, codicilB2[67] codifyA2, goffer, ogleA2, process (noun)A2, projectB2(noun), slothA2, trothA2, wrothB2 |
/ɪ/ | /aɪ/ | dynasty, hibiscus, housewifery,[56] idyll, IranA2, IraqA2, italicA2, itinerant, pipette, privacyB2,[68] simultaneousA2, tinnitus, tricolo(u)rB2,[69] Tyrolean, vitaminB2. See also -ine. |
/aɪ/ | /ɪ/ | butylB2, cervical, cyclic(al)B2, divisive, doctrinal, forsythia, -isation/-izationA2, primer (schoolbook), Pythagoras, subsidence/-ent, synapseB2, umbilicalB2, urinal. See also -ine.[7] |
/aɪ/ | /eɪ/ | Isaiah |
/aɪ/ | /iː/ | (n)eitherAB2,[nb 32] Pleiades, via. See also -ine. |
/iː/ | /aɪ/ | albino, geyser, migraineB2. Also the prefixes anti-A2, multi-A2, semi-A2 in loose compounds (e.g. in anti-establishment, but not in antibody). See also -ine. |
/iː/ | /ɪ/ | beenB2,[70] creekA1, invalid (noun), prima |
/ɪ/ | /iː/ | aphrodisiac, bulimia, memorabilia, pi(t)taB2, prestigious |
/ɛ/ | /ɑː/ | enclave, envoi/-voy |
/æ/ | /ɛ/ | femme fataleA2, pall-mallA2[nb 33][7] |
/aʊ/ | /uː/ | nousA2 |
/ʊ/ | /ɪ/ | kümmel |
/ʊ/ | /uː/ | BuddhaA2, cuckoo, guru |
/uː/ | /ʊ/ | boogie-woogie, hoofA2, roofAB2, rootA2, snooker, woofA2 (weaving), boulevard[71] |
/uː/ | /ə/ | ferrule |
/ʊ/ | /ɜːr/ | courier |
/ʊ/ | /ʌ/ | brusqueB2 |
/ə/ | /ʌ/ | surplus |
/ʌ/ | /ə/ | dandruff[verification needed] |
/ʌ/ | /uː/ | felucca |
/uː/ | /aʊ/ | routeA1[nb 34][72] |
/oʊ/ | /uː/ | broochA2 |
/uː/ | /oʊ/ | cantaloup(e) |
/ʌ/ | /oʊ/ | plover |
/oʊ/ | /aʊ/ | MoscowA2 |
/ər/ | /ɑːr/ | MadagascarA2 |
/ər/ | /ɜːr/ | chauffeur |
/ɑːr/ | /ɜːr/ | Berkeley, Berkshire, Cherwell, clerk, derby, Hertford(shire). (The only AmE word with ⟨er⟩ = /ɑːr/ is sergeant.) |
/ɜːr/ | /ɛr/ | errA2 |
/ɛr/ | /ɜːr/ | deterrentA2 |
/ɛr/ | /ɪər/ | inherent |
/ɪər/ | /ɪər/ or /ɛr/ | coherent |
/ɪr/ | /ɜːr/ | chirrupA2, squirrel, stirrupA2, syrupA2 |
/ɔːr/ | /ər/ | acornA1,[73] record (noun) |
/ə/ | /ɒ/ | Amazon, anacoluthon, automaton, Avon, capon, crampon, crayon, hexagon, Lebanon, lexicon, marathon, (m)ascot, melancholy,[74] myrmidon, octagon, Oregon, pantechnicon, paragon, Parthenon, pentagon, phenomenon, polygon, pylon, pythonA2, Rubicon, saffron, silicon |
/ɒ/ | /ə/ | Aesop, Amos, condom, despot, Enoch, ingot, mosquito, sombrero |
/ɒ/ | /ɛ/ | roentgen, Stendhal |
/ə/ | /ɛ/ | nonsense |
/ɛ/ | /ə/ | congress, Kentucky |
/ɛ/ | /ə/ | parallelepiped[75] |
/ɛ/ | /ɪ/ | manageress, spinet |
/ɪ/ | /ɛ/ | deficitB2, despicable |
/ɪ/ | /ə/ | impetigo, vehicleA2 |
/ə/ | /æ/ | applique, baboon, bassoon, Capri, fastidiousB2, nasturtium, papoose, platoon, raccoon, taboo, tattoo, trapeze |
/ə/ | /eɪ/ | -ative, DraconianA2, grimace, satanic |
/eɪ/ | /ə/ | entrails, template[76] |
/ə/ | /oʊ/ | anchovy, probation, procedure, prohibit, proliferate, prolific, Prometheus, prophetic, propinquity, prorogation, protest (verb), protract, protrude, protuberance/-ant, varicose, also place names such as EdinburghA2 and surnames ending in -stone, e.g. Winstone (see also -ory and -mony) |
/oʊ/ | /ə/ | kimono |
/juː/ | /uː/ | Excluding words altered by the yod-dropping phenomenon: barracuda, minute (adj.), pumaA2 |
/uː/ | /juː/ | couponA2, fuchsine, HoustonB2 |
/juː/ | /w/ | conduit, iguanaB2,[77] jaguar, NicaraguaB2 |
/ər/ | /jər/ | figureA2 for the verb |
/ʊ/ | /jʊ/ | eruditeA2,[78] purulent, virulence |
/jʊ/ | /ʊ/ | duress, Honduras, résuméA2[79] |
/ɑː/ | /ə/ | charivari |
/ɑː/ | /ət/ | nougat[nb 35] |
/eɪ/ | /ət/ | sorbet,[nb 36] tourniquet |
/ət/ | /eɪ/ | fillet |
/oʊ/ | /ɒt/ | HuguenotA2 |
/ɜː/ | /uː/ | milieu |
/ɜːr/ | /ʊər/ | connoisseurA2, entrepreneurA2, masseur |
/ɜːz/ | /uːs/ | Betelgeuse, chanteuse, chartreuseA2, masseuse |
/z/ | /s/ | AussieA2, blouse (noun), blouson, complaisantA2, crescentB2, dextrose, diagnoseA2, erase, fuselageA2, mimosa, parse, ruseA2, talisman, treatise, usage, valise, venison, visaA1[80] |
/s/ | /z/ | asthma, chromosomeA2 |
/ts/ | /z/ | piazzaA2, schnauzer, terrazzo |
/ð/ | /θ/ | bequeath, boothB2, loath(ful/ly/some)A2, smithyA2, withstand(ing)A2 |
/ʃ/ | /ʒ/ | AsiaB2, cashmere, PersiaB2, (as/dis)persionA2, (ex/in)cursionB2, (im/sub)mersion, (a/con/di/in/per/re)versionA2 |
/dʒ/ | /tʃ/ | sandwichB2,[81] spinachB2 |
/tʃ/ | /dʒ/ | Chou (en Lai) |
/tʃ/ | /ʃ/ | braggadocio |
/ʃ/ | /tʃ/ | chassis |
/si/ | /ʃ/ | cassiaA2, CassiusA2, DionysiusA2,[82] hessian, Lucius, Theodosius |
/zi/ or /si/ | /ʃ/ | nauseaA2, transientA2 |
/zi/ | /ʒ/ | artesian, Elysian, Frisian, Frasier, glazier, grazier, hosiery, Indonesia, Malaysia, Parisian, Polynesia, Rabelaisian |
/di/ | /dʒi/ | cordial(ity) |
/ti/ | /tʃi/ | besti(al/ary), celestial[83] |
/tɪ/ | /ʃ/ | consortiumB2,[84] otiose, sentientB2[85] |
/ʃ/ | /sk/ | scheduleB2[86] |
/t/ | /d/ | TaoismA2 |
/kw/ | /k/ | conquistador |
/k/ | /kw/ | questionnaireB2 |
/f/ or /v/ | /f/ | nephewB2 (The old English pronunciation with /v/ has to a large extent been replaced by /f/ due to the spelling latinization of Middle English "neveu". The preference breakdown in BrE is /f/ 79%, /v/ 21%.)[87] |
(sounded) | (silent) | Cannes, chthonicB2,[56][88] coupé[nb 37], diaper, herbA2,[89] KnossosB2,[90] phthisisB2, salveA1,[91] solder, (un)toward(s)A2(prep.),B2. |
(silent) | (sounded) | (in)comparable/-ably, medicineB2, modernB2, SingaporeB2, suggestA2,[7] Warwick. See also -ary -ery -ory -bury, -berry. |
Spelling | BrE IPA | AmE IPA | Notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|
advertisement | /ədˈvɜːrtɪsmənt/ | /ˌædvərˈtaɪzmənt/ | Older Americans may use the British pronunciation, and some British dialects use the American pronunciation. | |
aftermath | /ˈɑːftəˌmɑːθ/ | /ˈæftərˌmæθ/ | ||
agent provocateur | /ˌæʒɒ̃ prəˌvɒkəˈtɜːr/ | /ˌɑːʒɒ̃ proʊˌvɒkəˈtʊər/[verification needed] | ||
amortise/amortize | /əˈmɔːrtaɪz/ | /ˈæmərˌtaɪz/ | BrE uses two spellings & pronounced /əˈmɔːrtaɪz/. In AmE the word is usually spelled amortize & pronounced /ˈæmərˌtaɪz/. | |
amphitheater/amphitheatre | /ˈæmfɪˌθiːətər/ | /ˈæmfəˌθiːtər/ | BrE is spelled amphitheatre & pronounced /ˈæmfɪˌθiːətər/. In AmE the word is usually spelled amphitheater & pronounced /ˈæmfəˌθiːtər/. | |
avoirdupois | /ˌævwɑːrdjuːˈpwɑː/ | /ˌævərdəˈpɔɪz/ | ||
basalt | /ˈbæsɔːlt/ | (1) /bəˈsɔːlt/ (2) /ˈbeɪˌsɔːlt/ |
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bitumen | /ˈbɪtjʊmɪn/ | /baɪˈtuːmən/ | ||
boehmite | (1) /ˈbɜːrmaɪt/ (2) /ˈboʊmaɪt/ |
(1) /ˈbeɪmaɪt/ (2) /ˈboʊmaɪt/ |
The first pronunciations approximate German [øː] (spelled ⟨ö⟩ or ⟨oe⟩); the second ones are anglicized. | |
bolognaise/bolognese | /ˌbɒləˈneɪz/ | /ˌboʊlənˈjeɪz/ | BrE uses two spellings & pronounced /ˌbɒləˈneɪz/. In AmE the word is usually spelled bolognese & pronounced /ˌboʊlənˈjeɪz/. | |
boroughA2 | /ˈbʌrə/ | /ˈbʌroʊ/ | ||
bouquet | (1) /buːˈkeɪ/ (2) /ˈbuːkeɪ/ |
(1) /boʊˈkeɪ/ (2) /buːˈkeɪ/ |
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boyar | (1) /ˈbɔɪɑːr/ (2) /boʊˈjɑːr/ |
(1) /boʊˈjɑːr/ (2) /ˈbɔɪər/ |
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buoyA2 | /ˈbɔɪ/ | /ˈbuːi/ | The British pronunciation occurs in America more commonly for the verb than the noun; still more in derivatives buoyant, buoyancy. | |
canton | /kænˈtuːn/ | (1) /kænˈtɒn/ (2) /kænˈtoʊn/ |
difference is only in military sense "to quarter soldiers" other senses can have stress on either syllable in both countries. | |
capillary | /kəˈpɪlərɪ/ | /ˈkæpəˌlɛri/ | ||
Caribbean | /ˌkærəˈbiːən/ | /kəˈrɪbiən/ | ||
cheong sam | /ˈtʃɒŋˈsæm/ | /tʃeɪˈɔːŋˈsɑːm/ | ||
clitoris | /ˈklaɪtərɪs/ | /klɪˈtɔːrɪs/ | Both American and British speakers also commonly use the variant /ˈklɪtərɪs/. | |
combatant | /ˈkɒmbətənt/ | /kəmˈbætənt/ | ||
communalB2 | /ˈkɒmjʊnəl/ | /kəˈmjuːnəl/ | ||
composite | /ˈkɒmpəzɪt/ | /kəmˈpɒzɪt/ | ||
coronary | /ˈkɒrənərɪ/ | /ˈkɔːrəˌnɛri/ | ||
corral | /kɒˈrɑːl/ | /kəˈræl/ | ||
cosmosA2[92] | /ˈkɒzmɒs/ | (1) /ˈkɒzməs/ (2) /ˈkɒzˌmoʊs/ |
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dachshund | /ˈdæksənd/ | /ˈdɑːksˌhʊnd/ | ||
Dante | /ˈdæntɪ/ | /ˈdɑːnteɪ/ | ||
dilettante | /dɪləˈtænti/ | (1) /ˈdɪlətɑːnt/ (2) /ˌdɪləˈtɑːnt/ |
BrE reflects the word's Italian origin; AmE approximates more to French. | |
docile | /ˈdoʊsaɪl/ | /ˈdɒsəl/ | ||
Don Quixote | /ˈdɒn ˈkwɪksət/ | /ˌdɒn kiˈhoʊteɪ/ | Compare to Spanish [doŋ kiˈxote] | |
enquiry/inquiry | /ɪŋˈkwaɪəri/ | (1) /ˈɪnkwəri/ (2) /ɪŋˈkwaɪəri/ |
BrE uses two spellings, pronounced /ɛŋˈkwaɪəri/ and /ɪŋˈkwaɪəri/. In AmE the word is usually spelled inquiry. | |
epochA2 | /ˈiːpɒk/ | /ˈɛpək/ | ||
ethosA2 | /ˈiːθɒs/ | /ˈɛθˌoʊs/ | ||
expletive | /ɪkˈspliːtɪv/ | /ˈɛksplətɪv/ | ||
febrileA2[93] | /ˈfiːbraɪl/ | (1) /ˈfɛbriːl/ (2) /ˈfɛbrəl/ |
The BrE pronunciation occurs in AmE | |
fracas | /ˈfrækɑː/ | (1) /ˈfreɪkəs/ (2) /ˈfrækəs/ (3) /frəˈkɑː/ |
The BrE plural is French fracas /ˈfrækɑːz/. For AmE examples (1) and (2), the plural is anglicized fracases | |
Galapagos | /ɡəˈlæpəɡɒs/ | /ɡəˈlɑːpəˌɡoʊs/ | ||
glacier | (1) /ˈɡlæsiər/ (2) /ˈɡleɪsiər/ |
/ˈɡleɪʃər/ | ||
holocaustA2 | /ˈhɒləˌkɔːst/ | (1) /ˈhoʊləˌkɔːst/ (2) /ˈhɔːləˌkɔːst/ |
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impasse | (1) /æmˈpɑːs/ (2) /ˈæmpɑːs/ |
(1) /ˈɪmpæs/ (2) /ɪmˈpæs/ |
The BrE pronunciations are more true to the French. | |
jalousie | (1) /ʒælʊˈziː/ (2) /ˈʒælʊziː/ |
/ˈdʒæləsi/ | ||
junta | /ˈdʒʌntə/ | /ˈhʊntə/ | ||
kudos | /ˈkjuːdɒs/ | /ˈkuːdoʊs/ | ||
lapsang souchong | /ˈlæpsæŋ suːˈʃɒŋ/ | /ˌlɑːpsɑːŋ ˈsuːʃɒŋ/ | ||
lieutenant | (1) /lɛfˈtɛnənt/ (2) /ləˈtɛnənt/ |
/luːˈtɛnənt/ | The 2nd British pronunciation is restricted to the Royal Navy. Standard Canadian and Australian pronunciation is the same as the British. | |
liqueur | /lɪˈkjʊər/ | (1) /lɪˈkɜːr/ (2) /lɪˈkʊər/ |
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lychee | (1) /ˈliːtʃiː/ (2) /laɪˈtʃiː/ |
/ˈliːtʃiː/ | Spelling litchi has pronunciation /ˈlɪtʃiː/. The BrE pronunciation /laɪˈtʃiː/ also occurs in AmE. | |
mama[94] | (1) /ˈmæmə/ (2) /məˈmɑː/ |
/ˈmɑːmə/ | ||
methyl | /ˈmiːθaɪl/ | /ˈmɛθəl/ | ||
Molière | /ˈmɒliɛər/ | /moʊlˈjɛər/ | ||
moustache[95] | /məˈstɑːʃ/ | /ˈmʌs.tæʃ/ | ||
oblique | /əbˈliːk/ | /əbˈlaɪk/ | AmE is as BrE except in military sense "advance at an angle" | |
oregano | /ˌɒrɪˈɡɑːnoʊ/ | (1) /ɔːˈrɛɡənoʊ/ (2) /əˈrɛɡənoʊ/ |
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PakistanA2[96] | /ˌpɑːkɪsˈtɑːn/ | /ˈpækəˌstæn/ | ||
pathosA2 | /ˈpeɪθɒs/ | /ˈpeɪˌθoʊs/ | ||
penchant | /pɒ̃ˈʃɒ̃/ | /ˈpɛntʃənt/ | The AmE pronunciation is anglicized; the BrE is French. | |
penult | /pɛˈnʌlt/ | (1) /ˈpiːnʌlt/ (2) /pɪˈnʌlt/ |
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phthisic[97] | (1) /ˈθaɪsɪk, fθaɪ-/ (2) /ˈtaɪsɪk/ |
(1) /ˈtɪzɪk/ (2) /ˈθɪzɪk/ |
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premature[98] | (1)/ˈprɛmətʃər/ (2) /ˈprɛmətjʊər/ |
(1)/ˌpriːməˈtʃʊər/ (2) /ˌpriːməˈtʊər/ |
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premierA2 | (1) /ˈprɛmjər/ (2) /ˈprɛmɪər/ |
(1) /prɪmˈɪər/ (2) /ˈpriːmɪər/ |
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première | /ˈprɛmiɛər/ | (1) /prɪmˈɪər/ (2) /prɪmˈjɛər/ |
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progress | (1) /ˈproʊɡrɛs/ (2) /proʊˈɡrɛs/ |
(1) /ˈprɒɡrɛs/ (2) /prəˈɡrɛs/ |
In both British and American, the noun has stress on the first syllable. The verb has stress on the second syllable. Canadians follow the British pronunciation. | |
provostA2[99] | /ˈprɒvəst/ | /ˈproʊvoʊst/ | ||
quasi- | /ˈkweɪzaɪ/ | /ˈkwɑːzi/ | ||
quinine | /ˈkwɪniːn/ | (1) /ˈkwaɪnaɪn/ (2) /ˈkwɪnaɪn/ |
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resource | (1) /rɪˈzɔːrs/ (2) /rɪˈsɔːrs/ |
/ˈriːsɔːrs/ | ||
respiratory | /rɪˈspɪrətri/ | /ˈrɛspərəˌtɔːri/ | ||
respite | /ˈrɛspaɪt/ | (1) /ˈrɛspɪt/ (2) /rəˈspaɪt/ |
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reveille | /rɪˈvæli/ | /ˈrɛvəli/ | ||
Rioja | /riˈɒkə/ | /riˈoʊhɑː/ | ||
risotto | /rɪˈzɒtoʊ/ | (1) /rɪˈsɔːtoʊ/ (2) /rɪˈsoʊtoʊ/ |
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Schleswig-Holstein | /ˈʃleɪzvɪɡ ˈhɒlˌstaɪn/ | /ˈʃlɛswɪɡ ˈhoʊlˌstiːn/ | ||
shallot | /ʃəˈlɒt/ | /ˈʃælət/ | ||
Silesia | (1) /saɪˈliːsiə/ (2) /saɪˈliːziə/ |
(1) /sɪˈliːʃə/ (2) /sɪˈliːʒə/ |
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slough | /slaʊ/ | /slʌf/ | sense "bog"; in metaphorical sense "gloom", the BrE pronunciation is common in AmE. Homograph "cast off skin" is /slʌf/ everywhere. | |
thoroughA2 | /ˈθʌrə/ | /ˈθʌroʊ/ | ||
timbale | /tæmˈbɑːl/ | /ˈtɪmbəl/ | ||
Tunisia | /tjuːˈnɪziə/ | (1) /tuːˈniːʒə/ (2) /tuːˈniːʃə/ |
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vaseA2[100] [nb 38][101] | /vɑːz/ | (1) /veɪs/ (2) /veɪz/ (3) /vɑːz/ |
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Z (the letter) | /zɛd/ | /ziː/ | The spelling of this letter as a word corresponds to the pronunciation: thus Commonwealth (including, Canada) zed and U.S. zee. |