Learn How to Pronounce old

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old

Definition:

(nou) past times (especially in the phrase `in days of old')

Phonetic Transcription:

əʊld

Examples:

At an old age, frailty is a fact of life.

Lucky Debonair died of old age in 1987 at age twenty five.

I must be getting harebrained in my old age.

Learn more about:
old

Related Words:

age

late

mature

How to perfect your pronunciation of: old

Learn Individual Sounds

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

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Common mistakes of old pronunciation

Misplacing the vowel sound: Some learners pronounce "old" as /oʊld/ (US) or /əʊld/ (UK) without realizing the importance of the diphthong. Tip: Focus on blending the sounds smoothly to achieve the correct pronunciation.
Overemphasizing the "l": A common mistake is to stress the "l" sound too much, making it sound like "ol-d" instead of "old". Tip: Keep the "l" sound subtle and blend it with the vowel for fluidity.
Ignoring the final "d": Some may pronounce "old" as /oʊl/ (US) or /əʊl/ (UK), dropping the final "d". Tip: Always ensure to pronounce the "d" clearly to avoid confusion with similar sounding words.
Incorrect stress placement: Learners sometimes stress the wrong syllable in "old", treating it as a two-syllable word. Tip: Remember that "old" is a single syllable word, so keep the stress on that one syllable.
Confusing with similar words: Some confuse "old" with "hold" or "gold", leading to mispronunciation. Tip: Practice distinguishing the vowel sounds in each word to improve clarity and accuracy.

Frequently asked questions

How do you pronounce "old" in American English?

In American English, "old" is pronounced as /oʊld/, with a single syllable. The vowel sound is a long "o" as in "go," followed by the "ld" sound.

What is the British pronunciation of "old"?

In British English, "old" is also pronounced as /əʊld/, where the vowel sound is a diphthong that starts with an "o" and glides to a "u." The stress remains on the first syllable.

Are there any common mistakes when pronouncing "old"?

A frequent mistake is mispronouncing the vowel sound, making it too short. Remember to use the long "o" sound to avoid confusion with words like "hold."

Does "old" have any regional variations in pronunciation?

While "old" generally maintains its pronunciation across regions, some dialects may slightly alter the vowel sound. However, the standard forms in both American and British English are widely understood.