Word
aspirated
Phoneticsas·pi·rat·ed, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈæspɝˌeɪtɪd/
UK/ˈæspəɹˌeɪtɪd/
Definition
adj. pronounced with a small puff of air from your mouth. You hear it in the p of pin, but not in the p of spin.
adj. pronounced with a short burst of air released just after the consonant, as with initial p, t, and k in English. Contrasts with unaspirated sounds made without that burst.
Examples
“She pronounces the p in pin as an aspirated sound.”
“The teacher showed how the p in pin is aspirated, with a puff of air, while the p in spin is not.”
“Linguists note that aspirated stops in English occur at the start of stressed syllables, which explains why learners often hear a clear difference between top and stop.”
Examples
simple
“She pronounces the p in pin as an aspirated sound.”
contextual
“The teacher showed how the p in pin is aspirated, with a puff of air, while the p in spin is not.”
complex
“Linguists note that aspirated stops in English occur at the start of stressed syllables, which explains why learners often hear a clear difference between top and stop.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “aspirated” in context.
Verb
01. aspirated contrasts
“Aspirated contrasts sharply with unaspirated in Hindi and Korean.”
noun + verb
02. aspirated occurs
“Aspirated occurs mainly in syllable-initial stressed position.”
noun + verb
03. pronounce aspirated
“Learners must pronounce aspirated clearly in stressed initial position.”
verb + adj
Adjective
04. aspirated affricate
“Mandarin has an aspirated affricate contrasting with its unaspirated counterpart.”
adj + noun
05. aspirated consonant
“English voiceless stops are aspirated consonants in stressed onsets.”
adj + noun
06. aspirated initial
“Korean distinguishes an aspirated initial from plain and tense counterparts.”
adj + noun
07. aspirated stop
“The p in pin is an aspirated stop with a clear puff of air.”
adj + noun
Noun
08. aspirated vs unaspirated
“Minimal pairs illustrate aspirated vs unaspirated very effectively.”
adj + prep + adj
09. distinction between aspirated
“The test assesses the distinction between aspirated and unaspirated stops.”
noun + prep + adj
10. an aspirated consonant in onset
“Pin begins with an aspirated consonant in onset, while spin does not.”
11. distinguish aspirated from unaspirated
“Students learn to distinguish aspirated from unaspirated in minimal-pair drills.”
12. pronounce p as aspirated
“Pronounce p as aspirated when it begins a stressed syllable in English.”
Usage
Typically placed before a noun such as 'consonant' or 'sound', or after 'is' to describe a sound.
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C2 ProficiencyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.8.5–9.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 6.0114–120
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C2 · Proficiency
- Updated
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