Pronunciation: [ˈa͡ɪvɪz] (IPA) 
The plural of ivy is spelled "Ivies." The IPA phonetic transcription for this word is /ˈaɪviz/. The first syllable starts with the long "i" sound /aɪ/ and the second syllable ends with the "z" sound /z/. The spelling of this word may seem confusing to some, as the usual plural ending "-es" is added to the end of the word. However, it follows the common rule for adding "-ies" to nouns ending in "y" preceded by a consonant.
Ivies, in a dictionary definition, refer to a group of prestigious universities in the United States. These institutions are collectively known as the Ivy League, and the term "Ivies" is informally used to represent them. The Ivy League consists of eight private universities renowned for their academic excellence, rigorous admission processes, and strong athletic programs.
The Ivy League universities include Brown University, Columbia University, Cornell University, Dartmouth College, Harvard University, Princeton University, the University of Pennsylvania, and Yale University. These institutions were originally characterized by their rich histories, selective admission policies, strong focus on undergraduate education, and prominent role in American higher education.
The term "Ivies" has often been associated with the highest standards of education and intellectual prestige. Graduating from one of these schools is commonly seen as a significant achievement, and the Ivy League is often considered a symbol of excellence. The universities within this group have a long tradition of producing successful leaders in various fields, including business, politics, academia, and the arts.
In addition to their academic reputation, the Ivy League universities are also known for their elite athletic programs, particularly in sports such as football, basketball, and rowing. The term "Ivies" is sometimes used in the context of sports events and competitions involving teams from these universities.
Overall, the term "Ivies" is a colloquialism that refers to the eight prestigious institutions that constitute the Ivy League, well-regarded for their academic standing, selectivity, and notable achievements both in education and athletics.
* 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 "Ivies" is derived from the term "Ivy League", which refers to a group of prestigious universities in the United States. The Ivy League consists of eight private institutions: Brown University, Columbia University, Cornell University, Dartmouth College, Harvard University, Princeton University, the University of Pennsylvania, and Yale University. The name "Ivy League" originates from the intercollegiate athletic conference established in 1954, but the term itself became popularized and associated with academic excellence and elitism. The exact origin of the word "Ivies" to represent these universities is unclear, but it likely came into use due to the Ivy League association.
