How Do You Spell TH?

Pronunciation: [tˌiːˈe͡ɪt͡ʃ] (IPA)

The spelling of the word "th" can be somewhat confusing due to its two different sounds. The first sound, as in the word "thin," is represented by the IPA symbol /θ/. This sound is formed by placing the tip of the tongue between the upper and lower front teeth and blowing out air. The second sound, as in the word "this," is represented by the IPA symbol /ð/. This sound is formed by putting the tip of the tongue between the upper and lower teeth and releasing a voiced sound.

Meaning and Definition
Top Common Misspellings
Other Common Misspellings
Etymology
Similar spelling words
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TH Meaning and Definition

  1. "Th" is a two-letter digraph in the English language that represents a unique phoneme, known as the voiceless dental fricative. It is pronounced by producing a hissing sound between the top and bottom teeth, without the involvement of the vocal cords. The "th" sound can be found in various words and is integral to the English language.

    The "th" sound has two distinct forms: the voiced and voiceless. The voiced "th" sound is represented by "th" in words like "that," and "then." When pronouncing this sound, the vocal cords vibrate. On the other hand, the voiceless "th" sound is represented by "th" in words like "think" and "thick." No vibration occurs during articulation.

    It is essential to differentiate between these two forms to maintain correct pronunciation in English. The "th" sound is often challenging for non-native English speakers to grasp due to its absence in many other languages.

    The "th" digraph originates from the Old English language and has a long history in the development of English pronunciation. Its usage and representation are prevalent in contemporary English, adding distinct sounds to words and playing an essential role in the language's phonetic structure.

  2. Chemical symbol of thorium.

    A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

Top Common Misspellings for TH *

  • teh 35.2941176%
  • tht 2.9411764%

* 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.

Other Common Misspellings for TH

Etymology of TH

The word "th" is not a standalone word, but rather a combination of two letters that represent the voiced dental fricative sound, as in the English word "the". Therefore, it does not have an etymology of its own. However, the sound represented by "th" can be traced back to Old English and ultimately to the Proto-Germanic language. This sound has undergone various changes throughout the history of the English language.

Similar spelling words for TH

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Correct spelling for th
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