The word "walkway" is spelled with a silent "k" in the middle. The phonetic transcription of this word is /ˈwɔːkweɪ/. The "w" sounds like a "wh" sound, and the "a" in the first syllable is pronounced like "o" in "hot". The "k" in the middle is not pronounced, so the syllable breaks are between the "a" and "l" in the first syllable and between the "k" and "w" in the second syllable. The final "ay" is pronounced like "ei" in "they".
A walkway is a designated path or route specifically designed for pedestrians to walk or travel on. It is typically located in areas such as parks, gardens, urban spaces, or public places, providing a safe and accessible means for people to move between different locations. Walkways can be paved or constructed using materials such as concrete, asphalt, gravel, or stone, and they commonly feature a level and even surface for ease of movement.
Walkways are often distinguished from roadways or thoroughfares that are primarily intended for vehicles. They are typically narrower and designated solely for the use of pedestrians, ensuring their safety and the separation from vehicular traffic. Walkways can be found in various settings, including residential areas, commercial districts, campuses, and nature reserves, and they may encompass straight, curved, or winding paths according to the design and intended purpose.
The purpose of a walkway is to facilitate walking, jogging, or leisurely strolling, promoting physical activity and encouraging people to explore and enjoy their surroundings. They also serve as connectors between different points of interest, such as entrances, exits, landmarks, or attractions, enabling efficient pedestrian flow and enhancing accessibility. In addition to their practical functionality, walkways often feature aesthetic elements, such as landscaping, lighting, benches, or artistic installations, creating visually appealing environments for pedestrians to traverse and appreciate.
* 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 "walkway" is derived from the combination of two words: "walk" and "-way".
The term "walk" comes from the Old English word "wealcan", which means "to roll" or "to toss". Over time, it evolved to refer specifically to the act of movement by foot, and the word "walk" emerged in Middle English.
The suffix "-way" is derived from the Old English word "weg", which means "road" or "path". It comes from the Proto-Germanic word "wegaz" and has cognates in several other Germanic languages, such as German "Weg" and Dutch "weg".
Combining "walk" and "-way" creates the word "walkway", which refers to a path or passage designed for pedestrians to walk on.