A word with a silent “d” is quite rare, but there are a few examples in English where the “d” is not pronounced. Here are some common words with a silent “d”:
1. Wednesday
- Pronunciation: /ˈwɛnz.deɪ/
- Details: The “d” in “Wednesday” is silent, and the word is typically pronounced as “Wensday.” The word comes from Old English “Wodnesdæg” (Woden’s day), but over time, the pronunciation shifted, dropping the “d” sound.
2. Handkerchief
- Pronunciation: /ˈhæŋ.kər.tʃɪf/
- Details: The “d” in “handkerchief” is silent. The word is believed to come from a combination of “hand” and “kerchief” (a piece of cloth), but the “d” sound is no longer pronounced in modern English.
3. Sandwich
- Pronunciation: /ˈsæn.wɪdʒ/
- Details: In the case of “sandwich,” the “d” is technically part of the spelling but is not pronounced in modern English. The word originates from John Montagu, the 4th Earl of Sandwich, and originally had the “d” sound pronounced, but it was softened over time.
4. Badge
- Pronunciation: /bædʒ/
- Details: The “d” in “badge” is silent when spoken. The word comes from Old French “bague” (ring) or “bague de fer” (iron ring), and the “d” sound faded over time in the pronunciation.
5. Fjord
- Pronunciation: /fjɔːrd/
- Details: A “fjord” is a long, narrow inlet with steep sides or cliffs, typically formed by a glacier. The “d” in “fjord” is silent, and the word is borrowed from Norwegian, where the “d” is also not pronounced.
6. Handful
- Pronunciation: /ˈhænd.fʊl/
- Details: The “d” in “handful” is very subtle or almost silent in quick speech, particularly when it’s pronounced in a more casual manner. The word refers to the amount that can be held in one hand.
7. Grand
- Pronunciation: /ɡrænd/
- Details: While the “d” is pronounced in “grand,” in some dialects and informal speech, the “d” can be softened or barely articulated, especially when combined in phrases like “grand idea” or “grand total.”
8. Rendezvous
- Pronunciation: /ˈrɒn.deɪ.vuː/
- Details: This word comes from French, meaning “meeting” or “appointment,” and the “d” is silent in the English pronunciation. It’s an example of how silent letters are often carried over from the original language.
9. Sand
- Pronunciation: /sænd/
- Details: In certain dialects, the “d” can be less audible or silent, especially in quick speech. Though the “d” is often pronounced in standard English, in some accents, it may be dropped, making it sound like “san.”
10. Edge
- Pronunciation: /ɛdʒ/
- Details: In some speech patterns, particularly in rapid or informal speech, the “d” in “edge” can sound less distinct, although it’s usually pronounced in careful speech.
Why the “D” is Silent:
- Evolution of Language: In many cases, English words with a silent “d” come from Old French, Old English, or other languages where the “d” was once pronounced but eventually became silent over time.
- Changing Pronunciation: Over the centuries, English pronunciation has undergone significant changes, and many words that once had clear pronunciations of every letter no longer follow that pattern. The silent “d” is just one example of this natural linguistic evolution.