A noun meaning a metal or ceramic container with a spout used for boiling water. In everyday use, “kettle” refers to a device (electric or stovetop) for heating water, and by extension to the water itself boiled in such a vessel. The word emphasizes the object’s purpose (boiling) and contains a light, short-onset stress pattern typical of many English CIR words.
"She filled the kettle and set it on to boil for tea."
"The old kettle hissed on the stove as the water reached a rolling boil."
"I bought a new electric kettle with an auto shut-off feature."
"They laughed about the whistle from the kettle signaling that the water was ready."
The word kettle derives from the Old French kettle, itself from medieval Latin catinus, meaning a large cooking pot. The English form kettle appears in Middle English, with early senses tied to a cooking pot or cooking vessel. The semantic development shows a narrowing from any pot to a vessel specifically used for boiling water, paralleling technological evolution from open flame pots to specialized heating devices. The term evolved alongside domestic and kitchen technology, adapting to refer to both the vessel and, by extension, the act of boiling water in that vessel. First attestations in English literature appear in the late medieval period, with usage expanding through the Early Modern period as kettles became common household items in Europe. The modern distinction between a stovetop kettle and an electric kettle reflects 19th- and 20th-century appliance innovations, but the basic noun and its core meaning—an object designed to heat water—remains consistent. The word’s phonology has kept a short, unstressed second syllable, contributing to its characteristic two-syllable rhythm in most dialects.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "Kettle" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "Kettle" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Kettle" 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 "Kettle"
-tal sounds
-tle 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.
/ˈketl/ in US and UK. The word has two syllables historically but is often heard as a single syllable in rapid speech as /ˈkɛt(ə)l/ in some accents. Focus on true two-syllable form: KET-tle with clear initial /k/ and a final light /l/. Mouth: lips relaxed, tongue high behind the upper teeth for /k/, followed by a quick, clipped /t/ and a light /l/ at the end. Listen to audio reference like Pronounce or Forvo to hear the exact click.
Mistakes include turning it into a single syllable /ˈkɛtl/ without a noticeable vowel in the second syllable, or overemphasizing the /l/ making it /ˈkɛtəl/ with a long vowel in the second syllable. Another frequent error is misplacing the tongue for /t/: a heavy alveolar stop can blur into /d/. To correct: keep a light, quick /t/ and short, soft final /l/. Practicing with minimal pairs helps you hear the subtle second-syllable reduction in rapid speech.
US: /ˈketl/ or /ˈkɛt(ə)l/ with a non-rhotic tendency less relevant here since /l/ is clear. UK: often a clearer /ˈketl/ with indirect vowel quality depending on region; AU: similar to UK, occasional very light schwa in the second syllable. Across all, the /k/ is unaspirated slightly more in some dialects, vowels may differ slightly in quality before the /t/. The key is preserving the stress on the first syllable and ending with a crisp /l/.
Two main challenges: the quick transition from /k/ to /t/ inside a closed syllable can feel abrupt, and the final /l/ in many accents attaches closely to the prior consonant, creating a subtle link that shortens the vowel in the second syllable. Additionally, some speakers reduce /ɛ/ toward /e/ in fast speech, which shifts perceived quality. Focus on a clean /k/-/t/ sequence and a light, non-syllabic or lightly pronounced final /l/ depending on the accent.
Kettle’s second syllable is often reduced in casual speech, forming a near-syllable /kɪdəl/ in some rapid pronunciations, but standard careful speech retains an audible /ə/ or /ɪ/ depending on accent. The primary challenge is maintaining a distinct /t/ release between /e/ and /l/. Visualize a short, clipped /t/ and a quick, light /l/ closure for natural pronunciation.
🗣️ Voice search tip: These questions are optimized for voice search. Try asking your voice assistant any of these questions about "Kettle"!
No related words found
