/poʊlz/
Say it backPolls refers to the act of asking people two or more options to gauge opinions or outcomes, or to the places where ballots are counted in an election. In everyday use, it can also denote plural multiple poll events or survey instruments. The term combines the verb poll with the plural noun suffix -s, signaling multiple instances or results.
"The polls show a tight race with only a few percentage points separating the candidates."
"Researchers conducted online polls to measure public opinion on climate policy."
"The student government held several polls to decide on event funding."
Pronounce as /pɑlz/ in US English, with a short open back vowel /ɒ/ or /ɑ/ depending on accent, followed by a voiced alveolar lateral /l/ and a voiced alveolar fricative /z/ for the final -s. Stress is on the single syllable. Lip rounding is mild early, with a relaxed jaw. Think “paws” but with an l followed by z.”
Two common errors: (1) Substituting /s/ for the final /z/ so it sounds like /pɑls/ instead of /pɑlz/. (2) Slurring the /l/ into a vowel, producing /poʊlz/ or a vowelized l. To correct, ensure the final consonant is voiced and crisp: finish with vibrating vocal cords for /z/. Keep the /l/ clear but not overly dark. Practice by saying /pɑlz/ in short phrases.
In US English, /pɑlz/ with rhotic r-like neutrality and a clear /z/. In UK English, some speakers use /pɒlz/ or /pɔːlz/, with more rounded or open back vowel and sometimes less pronounced /z/ due to voicing. In Australian English, expect /pɒlz/ or /pɔːlz/ with a broader back vowel and a clear /z/. Overall, the final /z/ remains voiced in all, but vowel quality shifts.
The challenge lies in producing a clean transition from a short back vowel into a voiced alveolar /l/ followed by a voiced /z/. The /l/ can blend with the vowel, and the final /z/ is easy to mispronounce as /s/ if voicing drops. Ensure voicing on /z/ and maintain a crisp /l/—practice with minimal pairs like /pɑlz/ vs /pɑls/ to feel the difference.
A distinctive feature for 'polls' is the placement of the /l/ between a back vowel and a voiced alveolar fricative. You’ll want to separate the /l/ from the following /z/ slightly, keeping the tongue tip near the alveolar ridge for the /z/. This helps avoid a merged sound like /polz/ or /poʊlz/ and makes the final /z/ audible.
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Polls originates from the noun poll, which in Middle English referred to a head or headcount, and later extended to counting or tallying votes. The verb form poll emerged to mean to obtain information by questioning or to survey, and the plural -s attaches to indicate multiple polls or instances. The word poll has cognates in several Germanic languages, reflecting a root related to head-count or tallying, with the sense shift toward public opinion measurement occurring in the 19th and 20th centuries as polling became a standardized research method. First attested uses can be traced to English texts in the 16th century in contexts of head counts, with the modern political polling meaning becoming common by the late 19th century as polling firms formed and survey research expanded.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "polls" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "polls" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "polls"
-lls sounds
-les 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.
