One syllable: Build.
bild
/bɪld/
Build is pronounced bild (/bɪld/). It has one syllable (Build), with the stress on "Build". Build (verb): to make something by shaping or assembling materials; to develop or create gradually. It can refer to physical construction, as well as relationships, skills, or a narrative. The term emphasizes process and growth, often implying careful planning and incremental progress.
verbBuild (verb): to make something by shaping or assembling materials; to develop or create gradually. It can refer to physical construction, as well as relationships, skills, or a narrative. The term emphasizes process and growth, often implying careful planning and incremental progress.
"The team will build a new bridge over the river next year."
"She wants to build her portfolio by taking on freelance projects."
"Parents help children build confidence through small, achievable chores."
Build is pronounced with a single syllable: /bɪld/. Start with a short, lax 'i' as in 'bit' plus an audible 'l' onset, then close with a classic 'd' stop. Tip: keep the tongue at the alveolar ridge for the 'ld' cluster and avoid turning it into 'bil-d' or 'bild' with a longer vowel. You’ll hear it as /bɪld/ in US, UK, and AU accents, with subtle differences in vowel quality depending on the speaker; listening to native sources will help fine-tune you. Audio cues: try saying “bitl” quickly, then replace the t with d to approximate the final stop.”,
Common mistakes include (1) pronouncing the vowel as a long e or a pure /iː/ like 'beed', which makes it sound odd; (2) inserting an extra vowel before the final /ld/, such as 'bil-uhd'; (3) weakening the final /ld/ into a light ‘l’ or ‘d’ only, due to rapid speech. Correction: keep the short /ɪ/ vowel, ensure the /l/ and /d/ are both clearly present in a single syllable, and avoid adding vowel sounds between /l/ and /d/. Practice the /ld/ cluster by pressing the tongue to the alveolar ridge and finishing with a crisp alveolar stop.”},{
In US, UK, and AU, the base /bɪld/ is similar, but vowel quality of /ɪ/ can be slightly tenser in some British speakers and more centralized in American varieties. The rhoticity of the following vowel isn’t a factor since /ɪ/ is before the /ld/ cluster. Australian English tends toward a slightly broader vowel sound in /ɪ/, sometimes perceived as a marginally lower, more centralized /ɪ/. The final /ld/ cluster remains a voiced alveolar stop with an audible l, though some dialects might realize a softer /d/ in fast speech.”},{
The difficulty lies in the final /ld/ cluster: combining a dark, tense /l/ with a compact alveolar /d/ without inserting a vowel or relaxing the tongue position. It requires precise tongue-tip contact with the alveolar ridge and a quick transition from the lateral to the stop. Many learners also neutralize the vowel, treating /ɪ/ as a schwa or reducing it in connected speech. Mastery comes from practicing the single-syllable realization and maintaining steady airflow.”},{
Is there any audible change when saying 'build' before a voiceless consonant in connected speech? Yes. In fluent speech, you may hear a tiny lengthening or a more clipped final /d/ when the word ends a phrase and the next sound is voiceless, due to final-devoicing or pause timing. Focus on keeping the /d/ clear even when the next sound is voiceless, ensuring the tongue returns to the alveolar ridge for the stop.”}]},
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Build comes from Old English bieldan, linked to the Proto-Germanic *bildaną, meaning to protect or shelter, which over time evolved into the sense of constructing or forming. The core idea centers on shaping materials and increasing capacity or strength. In Middle English, build referred to erecting structures and fortifications, with usage expanding to abstract constructions such as skills or relationships. The term’s semantic trajectory mirrors human endeavor: starting from tangible, physical creation to more abstract, progressive development. The modern sense—developing something through effort and planning—emerged as societies emphasized project-based work and personal growth. First known use in print appears in the 9th to 11th centuries, with related forms in religious, architectural, and legal texts. The word also shares roots with German bauen and Dutch bouwen, all centered on construction, growth, and making. Over centuries, pronunciation stabilized toward /bɪld/ in English varieties, though regional variations influence the exact vowel quality and length slightly. In contemporary usage, build often collocates with nouns that denote progression (build a career, build momentum, build confidence), highlighting its core sense of incremental, intentional creation.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "Build" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "Build" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Build" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Build"
-eld sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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