Bond (n.) a firm connection or tie between people, groups, or objects; a binding obligation or legal contract; also a chemical or financial linkage. The term implies a stable, often formal association that holds elements together, whether emotionally, socially, or structurally. In finance, it denotes a debt investment with a fixed income and maturity. The word is concise and widely used across contexts.
- Not fully articulating the /d/ in the final cluster, leading to a muted or glottalized ending. To correct, practice transitions: /n/ immediately followed by /d/ with a small burst of air at the moment of release. - Introducing a vowel between /b/ and /nd/ (e.g., /bɒənd/ or /boʊnd/). Drill with tight starts: /b/ plus immediate /ɒ/ or /ɑ/ and then /nd/. - Over-voicing or unnecessary vowel length before final consonants in emphasized speech; keep the nucleus short to preserve the crisp end. Use tongue-quick drills with word and sentence level practice to maintain a tight /nd/ closure while staying natural. - Practice with minimal pairs like bond vs bend vs bong to feel the difference in final consonant timing and lip/tongue positioning. - Record yourself to notice if you’re producing a trailing vowel or a glottal stop before /nd/; aim for a fast, crisp release.
- US: /bɑnd/ with a relatively open back unrounded vowel; keep the /ɹ/ not involved unless following word. UK: /bɒnd/ with a more closed, nearly short vowel; non-rhotic tendencies do not affect the /nd/ cluster but influence the preceding vowel. AU: /bɒnd/ or /bɑnd/ with slightly broader vowel than UK; vowel height depends on speaker’s region. - Ensure the final /nd/ is fully released; avoid a nasalized ending. - Note that phoneme transitions near other vowels can change slightly—practice linking with typical neighboring sounds like in “bond with friends” versus “bond market.” - IPA references: US /bɑnd/ or /bɔnd/; UK /bɒnd/; AU /bɒnd/. - Mouth positions: for /b/ lips pressed; for /ɒ/ or /ɑ/ jaw slightly open; for /n/ tongue tip on alveolar ridge; for /d/ tip taps quickly against ridge as the air releases. - Connect to intonation: emphasize the first syllable in phrases with heavy meaning; ensure the final consonant is crisp to avoid hearing an extra vowel.
"Their shared history created an unbreakable bond that lasted a lifetime."
"The detective formed a special bond with the rescue dog on the case."
"She signed a bond of agreement to ensure compliance with the contract terms."
"In chemistry, a covalent bond links atoms to form molecules."
Bond comes from Old English bindan, meaning to tie, fasten, or bind. The noun form bond arose from the sense of a binding obligation or tie between people or things, evolving in Middle English to include financial or legal commitments. The semantic path broadened to describe bonds in chemistry (a linkage between atoms) and finance (a debt instrument with a promised payment). The word has cognates across Germanic languages, reflecting a common Indo-European root related to binding or tying. First known uses appear in legal and social contexts in the 13th century, with the concept of a binding agreement becoming more formal in later centuries. By the 17th–18th centuries, bond had entered scientific vocabulary through chemistry, while in modern usage it spans interpersonal relationships, legal obligations, chemistry, and finance. The evolution shows a shift from the tangible act of tying or binding to more abstract forms of connection and obligation, preserved in idioms like “bond of friendship” and “bond market.”
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "Bond" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "Bond" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Bond" and show contrast in usage.
📚 Vocabulary tip: Learning synonyms and antonyms helps you understand nuanced differences in meaning and improves your word choice in speaking and writing.
Words that rhyme with "Bond"
-ond sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
🎵 Rhyme tip: Practicing with rhyming words helps you master similar sound patterns and improves your overall pronunciation accuracy.
Bond is pronounced with a single stressed syllable: /bɒnd/ in UK English or /bɑnd/ in many US dialects, ending with the /nd/ blend. Start with a rounded, open back vowel, then emit a quick alveolar nasal release into /d/. Keep your tongue low and back for /ɒ/ or /ɑ/ depending on your accent, and ensure the /n/ and /d/ are clearly articulated (don’t let the /d/ blend away). You can listen to native samples on Pronounce or YouGlish to compare regional variants.
Common mistakes include softening the final /nd/ into a nasalized vowel, or turning /b/ into a bilabial fricative. Some speakers insert an extra vowel between /b/ and /n/ (e.g., /bɒənd/), or vowelize the final cluster (/bɒn.d/). Correct approach: keep a clean stop /d/ after /n/, maintain a short, tense /ɒ/ or /ɑ/ before /nd/. Practice with minimal pairs like bond vs banned to reinforce the true /nd/ closure and avoid post-vocalic vowel insertion.
In US, /bɑnd/ or /bɑːnd/ with a flat /ɑ/ and light rhotic influence depending on region; in UK RP, typically /bɒnd/ with shorter /ɒ/ and non-rhotic style, though non-rhoticity doesn’t affect this word’s final consonant. Australian English often resembles UK pronunciations but can have a broader /ɒ/ and a slightly longer vowel before /nd/. The crucial factor is vowel quality before /nd/ and whether the /r/ coloring is present in surrounding words. Always check a native sample to tune your mouth position in your locale.
The difficulty lies in the short, clipped vowel before the final /nd/ and the rapid /n/ to /d/ transition. ESL speakers may produce a vowel in between or misplace the tongue for the /d/ release, causing a sound like /bɔːn/ or /bɒŋ/ instead of /bɒnd/. Focus on the precise alveolar closure for /n/ followed immediately by a distinct /d/ release, and keep the jaw relatively relaxed while maintaining a compact mouth shape.
Bond features a final /nd/ cluster that requires a clean release, not a nasal or lateral substitute. Some speakers may add a subtle vowel before /nd/ if the preceding consonant is voiced, but with intonation and emphasis on the opening consonant, you’ll keep it crisp: /bɒnd/ or /bɑnd/. The key is timing: short onset /b/, then a tight /ɒ/ or /ɑ/ vowel, followed by a sharp /nd/. Remember to keep the /n/ and /d/ distinct even in rapid speech.
🗣️ Voice search tip: These questions are optimized for voice search. Try asking your voice assistant any of these questions about "Bond"!
- Shadowing: listen to a native speaker saying a sentence with bond, imitate at the same pace, then progressively speed up. - Minimal pairs: bond vs baned (not common) vs rind; but more effective: bond vs bend; bond vs boon; use context to hear the difference in final sound. - Rhythm practice: practice with phrase “bond market,” focusing on the transition from /b/ to /ɒ/ to /nd/; keep steady pace and avoid extra vowels. - Stress practice: stress remains on the word itself; in a sentence, ensure the cadence doesn’t steal emphasis from the final /nd/ cluster. - Recording: record your own voice pronouncing the word in isolation, then in context like “a bond is issued,” and compare to a native sample. - Progression: start slow, one-repetition loops, then add 1-2 words before or after, building the speed while maintaining accuracy. - Context sentences: “The corporate bond secured their debt,” “You bought a government bond last year,” to practice within real syntax. - Technique check: after each drill, check your jaw tension and airflow to avoid over-voicing.
No related words found
