How Do You Spell AMHERST?

Pronunciation: [ˈamhəst] (IPA)

The word "Amherst" is spelled using five letters in English, but its pronunciation can be tricky to discern from the spelling alone. In the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) phonetic transcription system, "Amherst" is transcribed as /ˈæmhərst/, with stress on the first syllable (represented by the apostrophe). The "a" sound is pronounced as in "cat", the "m" is pronounced as in "mother", the "h" is pronounced as in "hat", the "e" is pronounced as in "her", and the "r" and "s" are pronounced as in "rest".

AMHERST Meaning and Definition

1. Amherst is a proper noun that can refer to several different entities, primarily associated with places and education, as follows:

   1. Amherst (geographical location): Amherst is a town located in the state of Massachusetts in the United States. Situated in Hampshire County, Amherst is home to Amherst College, Hampshire College, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst, collectively known as the Five Colleges. The town is renowned for its academic and cultural environment and is often regarded as a hub for higher education.

   2. Amherst College: Founded in 1821, Amherst College is a prestigious liberal arts college situated in Amherst, Massachusetts. It is widely recognized for its rigorous academic programs, distinguished faculty, and commitment to intellectual growth and critical thinking.

   3. Lord Amherst: Lord Amherst, also known as Jeffery Amherst, was a British soldier and colonial administrator in the 18th century. He served as the commander-in-chief of British forces in North America during the French and Indian War, and later became Governor General of British North America. Despite his military accomplishments, his policies toward Indigenous peoples, particularly in regards to biological warfare, have been heavily criticized.

   Overall, the term "Amherst" primarily refers to a town in Massachusetts, a renowned college, or a historical British figure with significant implications in the field of military and colonial affairs.

Top Common Misspellings for AMHERST *

• amhurst 100%

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for AMHERST

• amnest
• amhearst
• ambherst
• ahmerst
• Amherik
• Amhirst
• wamerst

Etymology of AMHERST

The word "Amherst" is of English origin and dates back to the 17th century. It is derived from the Old English words "ham" meaning "homestead" or "village" and "hyrst" meaning "wooded hill". The name "Amherst" was commonly used for places in England, and it began to be used as a surname as well.

The specific usage of "Amherst" as a place name in North America is attributed to the Englishman Sir Jeffrey Amherst. He was a British Army officer who served as Commander-in-Chief of the Forces in North America during the mid-18th century. Several places in North America were named after him, including Amherstburg in Ontario, Canada, and the town of Amherst in Massachusetts, United States.