Pronunciation: [dˈɒlfɪn] (IPA) 
The word "dolphin", which refers to a large marine mammal, is spelled with the letters d-o-l-p-h-i-n. In IPA phonetic transcription, it is pronounced as /ˈdɒlfɪn/. The sound "d" at the beginning is followed by the "ɒ" vowel sound and the "l" consonant sound before transitioning to the "f" and "ɪ" vowel sound. The word ends with the "n" consonant sound. This spelling and pronunciation of the word is consistent across English dialects.
A dolphin is a highly intelligent marine mammal, belonging to the family Delphinidae. With more than 30 species distributed across oceans and seas worldwide, dolphins are known for their distinctive streamlined bodies, which are well-adapted for swimming and diving. They possess smooth, sleek skin, often gray in color, and are characterized by having a dorsal fin on their backs. Their elongated snouts are equipped with sharp teeth, enabling them to feed on a diet primarily consisting of fish and squid.
Dolphins are renowned for their remarkable cognitive abilities, displaying advanced problem-solving skills, self-awareness, and communication skills. They are highly social animals, forming tight-knit groups called pods, with some populations consisting of hundreds or even thousands of individuals. These intelligent creatures employ a range of vocalizations, clicks, whistles, and body language to communicate with one another, aiding cooperation within their groups.
Dolphins are known for their acrobatic and playful behavior, often breaching the water's surface and riding waves created by boats. They are strong swimmers, capable of reaching speeds of up to 20 miles per hour. Additionally, they are capable of impressive leaps and flips, demonstrating their agility and grace in the water.
Due to their captivating nature, dolphins have become an iconic symbol of joy, freedom, and intelligence. Many cultures have formed deep spiritual and symbolic connections with these creatures, generating a sense of wonder and fascination for dolphins among people worldwide.
A cetaceous mammal about ten feet in length; a common name for various species of fish; a spar or buoy fastened to an anchor; a mooring-post at the entrance of a dock or on a quay.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* 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.
The word "dolphin" has a complex etymology. It originated from the Greek word "delphís" (δελφίς) which referred to the marine mammal. In ancient Greek mythology, the dolphin was associated with the god Apollo, and the word "delphís" was likely derived from the Greek word "delphus" (δελφύς) meaning "womb", as dolphins were seen as sacred creatures associated with fertility and birth.
The term then passed into Latin as "delphinus" and continued to be used to refer to dolphins. Over time, the Latin term evolved into various forms in different languages. In Old English, it became "dolfine", which ultimately changed to "dolphin" in Modern English.
