# aspirated

/ˈæspɝˌeɪtɪd/ (US) · /ˈæspəɹˌeɪtɪd/ (UK) · CEFR C2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/aspirated
Updated: 2026-10-18

## Definition

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.

For teachers: 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.

## Usage notes

- Typically placed before a noun such as 'consonant' or 'sound', or after 'is' to describe a sound.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.