Pronunciation: [ˈɪlk] (IPA) 
The word "ilk" has a simple spelling but a tricky pronunciation. It is pronounced as /ɪlk/, with a short "i" sound followed by an "l" sound and a silent "k." The word is most commonly used to refer to a type, kind or sort of something, often indicating a particular group or category. Despite its simple spelling, "ilk" is not commonly used in everyday speech or writing, and may be unfamiliar to some readers or listeners.
Ilk is a noun that refers to a particular type, class, or kind of people or things that are similar or share common qualities or characteristics. It is often used to categorize or identify a specific group within a broader category. It can be used in both positive or negative contexts, depending on the characteristics of the referenced group.
For example, one might say, "She is cut from the same ilk as her successful siblings," meaning that she possesses similar traits, talents, or qualities as her accomplished brothers or sisters. Here, ilk connotes a positive association with the siblings' achievements.
On the other hand, ilk can also be employed to express disdain or disapproval, as in the phrase, "We don't need more politicians of that ilk," indicating a negative perception of a particular group or type of politicians based on their behaviors or policies.
Moreover, "of that ilk" is a commonly used idiomatic expression that means "of the same kind" or "of the same group." It implies that the person or thing being referred to shares the same characteristics or qualities as the group mentioned.
Overall, ilk functions as a descriptive term that helps classify or identify groups of people, things, or ideas based on their shared attributes or similarities.
• The same.
• The same; the same place; in Scot., an addition put to a gentleman's name when the name of his estate is the same with his surname, as Balfour of that ilk-that is, Balfour of Balfour.
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 "ilk" originally comes from the Old English word "ilca", which means "same" or "similar". It is derived from the Proto-Germanic word "likô". Over time, "ilca" evolved into "ilk", which has retained its meaning of "the same type" or "the same kind". The word "ilk" has been in use since the Middle English period and has remained relatively unchanged throughout its history.
