Pronunciation Guide • English
How to Pronounce island
Difficulty: easy
IPA Transcription
/ˈaɪlənd/
Why is it so hard to pronounce?
EYE-lund. The "s" is completely silent. It was inserted into the spelling in the 15th century under the mistaken belief that the word derived from the Latin "insula". The original Old English had no S, and the pronunciation never acquired one.
💡 Pro Tip for island
EYE-lund. No S sound. Ignore the S.
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Hear 'island' Audio Now →Word Origins
The term island originates from Old English "igland". Understanding its etymology helps explain why it breaks standard pronunciation rules.