Learn How to Pronounce calm

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calm

Definition:

(nou) steadiness of mind under stress (nou) wind moving at less than 1 knot; 0 on the Beaufort scale

Phonetic Transcription:

kɑːm

Examples:

The girl was calm and composed.

Nick is the calm and collected member of the band.

Keep cool and calm and dispassionate and the trolls will burn themselves out.

Learn more about:
calm

Related Words:

cool

How to perfect your pronunciation of: calm

Learn Individual Sounds

Break calm down into individual sounds such as kɑːm. Practice these parts before you learn to say the whole word.

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Avoid mixing word pronunciations. If you’re learning American English, stick to it and try not to confuse yourself with British pronunciation.

Record Yourself

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Common mistakes of calm pronunciation

Dropping the "l": Many learners pronounce "calm" as "kam," omitting the "l" sound. This is incorrect. In both US /kɑm/ and UK /kɑːm/, the "l" is silent but should be recognized. Tip: Focus on the silent "l" and practice the vowel sound.
Misplacing stress: Some speakers mistakenly emphasize the "a" in "calm," leading to incorrect pronunciation. The correct stress is on the single syllable, making it sound more like /kɑm/ in US English and /kɑːm/ in UK English. Tip: Practice saying "calm" softly to avoid misplaced stress.
Overemphasizing the "m": Learners sometimes pronounce "calm" with an exaggerated "m" sound at the end, making it sound unnatural. The "m" should be pronounced clearly but not overly stressed. Tip: Try saying "calm" in a sentence to maintain a natural flow.
Confusing with "calmly": Some may confuse "calm" with "calmly," adding an extra syllable. "Calm" is a single-syllable word, pronounced as /kɑm/ in US and /kɑːm/ in UK. Tip: Remember that "calm" stands alone and practice it in isolation.
Incorrect vowel sound: A common mistake is pronouncing "calm" with a short "a" sound, like in "cat." The correct pronunciation uses an open back vowel sound. In US English, it is /kɑm/, and in UK English, it is /kɑːm/. Tip: Listen to native speakers to master the vowel sound.

Frequently asked questions

How do you pronounce "calm" correctly?

In American English, "calm" is pronounced as /kɑːm/ with the stress on the single syllable. In British English, it is pronounced the same way, /kɑːm/, but may have a slightly different vowel quality.

What is the syllable structure of "calm"?

"Calm" is a single-syllable word, making it easy to pronounce. The absence of a pronounced "l" sound is notable, as the "l" is silent in this case.

Are there any common mistakes when pronouncing "calm"?

A common mistake is pronouncing the "l" in "calm," which is silent. Make sure to focus on the vowel sound, which is the primary focus of the word.

Does "calm" have any homophones?

"Calm" does not have direct homophones, but it may be confused with "palm" or "balm" due to similar sounds. Pay attention to the context to avoid confusion.