How Do You Spell WITHOLD?

Pronunciation: [wɪðˈə͡ʊld] (IPA)

The correct spelling of the word "withhold" is often misunderstood. The root word "hold" has a silent "w" at the beginning, which is why many people incorrectly spell it as "withold". The IPA phonetic transcription for "withhold" is /wɪðˈhoʊld/. This indicates that the "w" is pronounced as a voiced labio-velar approximant, the "i" as a short vowel, the "ð" as a voiced dental fricative, the "h" as an unvoiced glottal fricative, the "o" as a long vowel, the "l" as a voiced alveolar lateral approximant, and the "d" as a voiced dental plosive.

Meaning and Definition
Common Misspellings
Etymology
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WITHOLD Meaning and Definition

  1. To "withhold" means to refrain from giving or granting something that is due or expected to someone or something. It involves intentionally holding back or retaining something, typically as a means of control, in order to exert power, influence, or for various reasons including legal, financial, or personal matters.

    In a legal context, "withholding" often refers to the act of not paying or deducting taxes or other required payments from a person's wages or income. This can result in legal consequences or financial penalties for non-compliance.

    The term is also commonly used in financial matters, where it refers to the act of retaining a portion of a payment or funds for specific purposes, such as taxes, insurance, or other obligations. For instance, an employer might "withhold" a percentage of an employee's salary to cover income tax obligations.

    On a personal level, "withholding" can refer to intentionally holding back information, emotions, or resources from a person or situation. It may be used as a means of control, manipulation, or protection. For example, a person may "withhold" their true feelings in order to avoid confrontation or to maintain a sense of power or superiority in a relationship.

    Overall, "withhold" involves the deliberate act of holding back or refraining from providing or giving something, whether it be related to money, information, emotions, or other resources.

Common Misspellings for WITHOLD

Etymology of WITHOLD

The word "withhold" has its roots in the Old English language. It is derived from the combination of two Old English words: "wið", meaning against, and "healdan", meaning to hold. These two words merged to form "withhaldan", which eventually evolved into the Modern English word "withhold". The original meaning of the word pertained to holding back, keeping back, or restraining something or someone. Over time, its usage expanded to include the withholding of information, support, or other resources.