Pronunciation: [pˈɒtəɹi] (IPA) 
The word "pottery" is spelled with five letters and is pronounced /ˈpɒtəri/. The first syllable contains the vowel sound /ɒ/ as in "hot" and the consonant sound /p/ as in "pan". The second syllable contains the vowel sound /ə/ as in "sofa", the consonant sound /t/ as in "top", and the unstressed vowel sound /i/ as in "bit". The spelling of "pottery" follows general English phonetic rules for syllable division and vowel-consonant sounds.
Pottery refers to the art and craft of creating objects, often functional, from clay through techniques such as shaping, molding, and firing in a kiln. This ancient art form has been practiced for thousands of years and is renowned for its practical as well as aesthetic uses.
The process of pottery typically involves molding clay into desired shapes, either by hand or by using a potter's wheel. Once the desired form is achieved, the object is allowed to dry partially but is still malleable enough to be refined and decorated with various techniques, such as carving, incising, or adding decorative elements. At this point, the object must be heated in a kiln to high temperatures, a process known as firing. Firing solidifies the clay, making it durable, and brings out the vibrant colors of glazes or engobes that may have been applied.
Pottery items can serve numerous functional purposes, including making vessels for cooking, serving, storing food or drink, as well as creating decorative objects like vases, tiles, figurines, and sculptures. Additionally, pottery has often held significant cultural, historical, and archaeological value as it provides insights into various aspects of human civilization and artistic expression throughout history.
Modern potters often draw inspiration from traditional techniques and designs while also exploring innovative styles and experimental approaches. Pottery continues to be celebrated as both an artistic practice and a practical craft, showcasing beauty, craftsmanship, and functionality.
All kinds of clay or earthen ware; the place where earthernware goods are manufactured.
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 "pottery" has its origins in the Old English term "pottian", which means "to poke". This term was later derived from the Old French word "poterie" or "potier", both of which refer to a potter or someone who works with clay. The Old French word ultimately comes from the Vulgar Latin term "pottārius", which means "potter" as well. The Latin term is derived from the Latin word "potta", meaning "a pot, jar, or drinking vessel". Therefore, the word "pottery" refers to the art or craft of making pots or vessels from baked clay.
