One syllable: hike.
/haɪk/
Say it backHike refers to a long walk, usually for recreation or exercise, often in natural settings like hills or trails. It can also mean a sharp rise in prices, wages, or other measures. The word is typically used as a verb, and informally as a noun in phrases like “a weekend hike.” The sound is short and clipped, with a single stressed syllable in most uses.
"We decided to hike up the ridge at sunrise."
"The stock price took a sudden hike after the earnings report."
"During the trip, we planned a steep hike to the waterfall."
Pronounce it as one syllable: /haɪk/. Start with the /h/ sound, then the /aɪ/ diphthong (as in ‘high’), and end with /k/. The mouth widens for the /aɪ/ glide, then a final voiceless velar stop /k/. Stress is on the single syllable. You can listen to native pronunciation in dictionaries or Forvo.
Common mistakes include turning the /aɪ/ into a short /ɪ/ as in ‘hit’ and drifting toward /hæk/ or /haɪk/ with extra length. Another mistake is adding an unwarranted /e/ sound at the end, making /haɪkə/. Focus on a tight glide from /h/ to /aɪ/ then immediately stop with /k/. Practice minimal pairs in your mouth position to keep the diphthong accurate.
In US/UK/AU, /haɪk/ is rhotic-free in some British accents, but for most speakers it remains /haɪk/ with a clear /aɪ/ and final /k/. The main variation lies in the length and release of the /aɪ/ glide and the voicing of the following consonant, with some UK accents shortening the vowel slightly or reducing post-vocalic aspiration. Australian speech tends to be non-rhotic and a bit broader in the /aɪ/ nucleus.
The difficulty arises from producing a clean, precise /aɪ/ diphthong in a single, quick syllable and transitioning to the final /k/ without adding a vowel or voicing. Close attention to the onset /h/ and the tail /k/ release is essential, as any extra vowel or an elongated /aɪ/ can blur the word. Practicing with minimal pairs helps stabilize the tongue movement between /h/ and /aɪ/.
The word is phonetically straightforward: a single stressed syllable with a clear onset /h/, a tight /aɪ/ nucleus, and a final voiceless /k/. Its simplicity makes it a good anchor for practicing precise lip-to-jaw coordination, particularly ensuring the /aɪ/ glide is smooth and not truncated before the /k/. You’ll typically hear a crisp exit of air with the /k/ release.
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- US: /haɪk/ with crisp /aɪ/, moderate aspiration on /k/. Vowel quality is bright, with a forward tongue position. - UK: /haɪk/ may have a slightly sooner vowel onset and less fronting compared to US, and some speakers may reduce aspiration on /k/. - AU: /haɪk/ similar to US but with a more centralized vowel quality in some speakers; non-rhotic tendencies mildly influence the perceived vowel follow-through. Use IPA references to compare rhotic vs non-rhotic differences.
The verb hike derives from Middle English hakken, meaning to cut or hack, evolving in the 16th–17th centuries into the sense of three related ideas: lifting or raising, a movement over rough ground, and a price or wage increase in certain contexts. The precise modern sense of hiking as energetic walking in natural terrain emerged in the late 18th to early 19th centuries as leisure travel popularized. Early uses often described people moving swiftly on foot for long distances, especially in search of resources or in military contexts. The noun usage, as in a planned “hike,” appears alongside this verb sense in 19th-century American and British English as outdoor recreation became a cultural activity. Over time, the term broadened to include metaphorical price or mileage increases, notably in economic slang, but the primary contemporary meaning remains the outdoor activity. First known attested uses appear in travel and outdoor writing from the 1700s onward, with standard dictionary entries coalescing in the 1800s. In sum, hike captures both a physical act of walking in nature and, in modern usage, a notable rise in quantity or value.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "hike" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "hike" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "hike" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "hike"
-ike 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.
