Dave's Pronunciation Page
Always
The word is "always," meaning "at every instance, for all time, forever, at any time."
It is pronounced with the "L" in place. It is not pronounced "oays."
Submitted by jmlum10601@aol.com
Asked
The word is "asked." It is spelled "a-s-k-e-d." Asked.
It is not spelled "a-x-e-d." It is not pronounced "axed."
Coupon
The word is "coupon." It is pronounced "koo´-pon." Coupon.
While "kyoo´-pon" is an alternate pronunciation, "koo´-pon" is preferred.
(Suggested by JB.)
Escapee
The word is "escapee." It is pronounced "es-cay´-pee." Escapee.
It is not spelled "excapee." It is not prounounced "ex-cay-pee."
Espresso
The word is "espresso." It is pronounced "es-press´-oh." Espresso.
It is not spelled "expresso." It is not prounounced "ex-press´-oh."
(Suggested by S.M.)
It's the same thing with "especially." It is pronounced "es-pesh´-el-ly."
(Suggested by MxxxxxxG)
Interesting
The word is "interesting." The preferred pronunciation is "in´-tris-ting."
(Suggested by M.D.)
Nuclear
The word is "nuclear." It is pronounced "new´-clee-er." Nuclear.
It is not pronounced "nu-cu-lar."
Often
The word is "often." It is pronounced "off´-en." The "t" is usually silent, although some sources allow the "t" to be spoken.
(Suggested by M.D.; info from bsp321)
Oriented
The word is "oriented." It is pronounced "or´-ee-en-ted." Oriented.
It is not spelled "orientated." It is not pronounced "or-ee-en-ta-ted."
Realtor
The word is "Realtor," a real-estate agent belonging to the National Association of Realtors. It is pronounced "reel´-tor." Realtor.
It is not spelled "realator." It is not pronounced "reel-a-tor."
It should be noted that "Realtor" is a Registered Trademark. Not all real estate professionals are Realtors.
(Thanks to E.D.G.)
Regardless
The word is "regardless." It is pronounced "ree-gard´-less." Regardless.
"Irregardless" should not really be a word, but is listed in some dictionaries since it is used. Some sources describe it as "nonstandard," perhaps popularized by being used on a radio humor program during the 1930s.
(Suggested by Unknown, info from Tom C. and bsp321)
Orient - Orientate
There is indeed a word "orientate" in addition to the word "orient". They are both verbs. The problem lies not in pronunciation, but in usage.
If you are the person assigned to train new personnel, you "orient" them as to their job tasks, where the bathroom is and what number they should "dial" to call in sick.
(Suggested by Ed E.)
Photographer
The word is "photographer." It is pronounced "fa-tog´-ra-fer." Photographer.
It is not pronounced "fur-tog-ra-fer."
(Suggested by Sedona Barbara)
Familiar
The word is "familiar." It is pronounced "fa-mil´-yer." Familiar.
It is not pronounced "fur-mil-yer."
(Suggested by Sedona Barbara)
Jewelry
The word is "jewelry." It is pronounced "jew´-el-ry." Jewelry.
It is not pronounced "jew-ler-y."
(Suggested by Chris)
Kindergarten
The word is "kindergarten." It is pronounced "kin´-der-gar-tn." Kindergarten.
It is not pronounced "kinny-garden" or "kindy-garden."
(Suggested by Dick Waldeck)
Peripheral
The word is "peripheral." It is pronounced "pe-riph´-er-al." Peripheral.
It is not pronounced "per-riph-ree-al."
(Suggested by Jeff Alberts)
Masonry
The word is "masonry," referring to stonework or brickwork.
It is pronounced "may-sun-ree." Masonry.
It is not pronounced "may-son-air-ee."
(Suggested by Jeff Alberts)
Defibrillator
The word is "defibrillator." It is a device that uses a controlled electrical shock to stop rapid irregular contractions of muscles in the heart, which are called "fibrillations."
It is pronounced "dee-fib-rill-ay-tor." Defibrillator.
It is not pronounced "dee-fib-u-lay-tor."
Note: not all diacritical marks and other pronunciation aids (for example, the "upside down e") can be reproduced on all computers, so I've done the best I can without them.
Sources:
- Webster's II New Riverside Desk Dictionary, Home and Office Edition, Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston.
- The New Websters II University Dictionary.
- Webster's College Dictionary 1995.
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Created on July 29, 1997. Updated on June 14, 2005.
David W. Schultheis, San José, Silicon Valley, Santa Clara County, California, USA