The spelling of the word "curnow" can be explained using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). The word is pronounced /ˈkɜːrnaʊ/ which means that the "c" is pronounced like a "k", the "u" sounds like the "er" in "her", and the "ow" sounds like the "ou" in "out". The "r" is also pronounced with a slightly rolled tongue. "Curnow" is a Cornish surname meaning "dweller at the mound". The pronunciation and spelling of this word may vary depending on regional accents and dialects.