How to pronounce

apple

Are you wondering how to properly pronounce the word "apple"? If so, you're in the right place! Pronouncing this word is quite simple and straightforward.

American Pronunciation: /ˈæp.əl/
British Pronunciation: /ˈæp.əl/
IPA Notation:
- American: [ˈæp.l̩]
- British: [ˈæp.l̩]

To pronounce "apple" correctly, start with the short "a" sound, as in "cat." Follow this with a quick, soft "p" sound, made by lightly pressing your lips together and then releasing. The word ends with a blend of the "l" sound, where the tip of your tongue should touch the alveolar ridge just behind your upper front teeth. The "e" is silent, but it influences the softening of the "l" sound, making it almost a part of the preceding vowel in both American and British English.

To summarize, the word "apple" should be pronounced with the following sequence of sounds: "a" (short), "uh" (short), and "l" (short). With a bit of practice, you should be able to master the correct pronunciation of this word in no time!

Definition of

apple

An "apple" is a round fruit of the apple tree, with a green, red, or yellow skin and a sweet to tart taste. The flesh is typically white or ivory and can range in texture from crisp and juicy to soft and mealy, depending on the variety and ripeness. Apples are consumed fresh, used in cooking and baking, and processed into products like juice, cider, and applesauce. They're also celebrated for their nutritional benefits, being a good source of fiber, vitamin C, and various antioxidants.

What does it mean

apple

The word "apple" comes from the Old English "æppel," which referred broadly to all fruit and even nuts—anything that wasn't a berry but contained seeds. This term traces back further to Proto-Germanic *aplaz and Proto-Indo-European *ábōl, indicating a long history of the apple in human culture. The specific focus on the fruit we now know as the apple developed over time, as the word narrowed in meaning. Historically, apples have been cultivated for thousands of years in Asia and Europe and were brought to North America by European colonists. The apple tree's ancestor is believed to have originated in Central Asia, where its wild relative, Malus sieversii, is still found today. Apples have held significant cultural and mythological roles in many traditions, symbolizing knowledge, immortality, temptation, and the fall of man in the Judeo-Christian tradition, as well as featuring in the myths and folklore of many cultures.