Quilling is a noun referring to the craft of shaping narrow strips of paper into decorative coils and scrolls, often used to create intricate designs. It involves rolling, curling, and gluing paper to form elaborate motifs. The term also describes the resulting ornamental artwork produced by this technique, typically used in scrapbooking, cards, and decor.
US: /ˈkwɪ.lɪŋ/ with a slightly crisper /ɪ/ in the first syllable; UK: /ˈkwɪ.lɪŋ/ may sound more clipped; AU: /ˈkwɪ.lɪŋ/ often features a hint of vowel centralization and a more relaxed final nasal. Vowel length is short in all, but US tends to be a bit tenser; UK may be more lid-like and precise with /l/; AU may have a more relaxed syllable timing. Use IPA guides: focus on /kw/ onset, /ɪ/ vs /ɪ/ in second syllable, light /l/, and final /ŋ/.
"She spent the afternoon practicing quilling to embellish birthday cards."
"The exhibit showcased delicate quilling scrolls and floral designs."
"She sells handmade quilling art at the weekend market."
"The teacher demonstrated a simple quilling technique to beginners."
Quilling originates from the traditional art form of paper filigree that spread in Europe during the 15th and 16th centuries. The word quill derives from the wavy shaping of the paper strands, reminiscent of curling goose quills used for writing. Early practitioners rolled and pinned narrow strips of paper into tight spirals and scrolls, often using a quill-like tool to curl the paper. The craft gained popularity in the 18th century as a decorative technique in bookbinding and greeting cards. The term “quilling” entered English usage to describe both the technique and the resulting decorative elements. Today’s usage emphasizes the modern hobbyist activity and its contemporary craft applications, expanding beyond rigid religious or royal commissions into widespread DIY and papercraft culture.
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Words that rhyme with "Quilling"
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Quilling is pronounced /ˈkwɪl.ɪŋ/. The primary stress is on the first syllable: KWIL-ting. Start with /k/ followed by a short /w/ onset, then /ɪ/ as in 'bit', then /l/ and a light /ɪ/ before the final /ŋ/ as in 'sing'. Visualize making a small coil with your lips rounded slightly, then release into the final nasal. If you’re listening, you’ll hear a crisp initial cluster and a trailing nasal. IPA: /ˈkwɪl.ɪŋ/.
Common missteps include pronouncing it as /ˈkwɪlɪŋ/ with no secondary vowel, or flattening the /ɪ/ before the /ŋ/. Another frequent error is merging the syllables into /ˈkwi-ling/ with an excessive /i/ sound after /l/. Correction: keep a subtle schwa-like or short /ɪ/ for the second vowel and ensure the /l/ remains light before the final /ɪ/ then nasal /ŋ/. Practice with minimal pairs contrasting /ˈkwɪl.ɪŋ/ vs /ˈkwiːl.ɪŋ/ to tune vowel length.
In US and UK, the word remains /ˈkwɪl.ɪŋ/ with a stressed first syllable. The main variation is vowel quality: US often has a shorter, tenser /ɪ/; UK may realize a slightly more centralized /ɪ/ and crisper /l/ articulation. Australian speakers typically reduce the second vowel slightly, giving a quick /ɪ/ and a softer /ŋ/. Overall, rhoticity isn’t a factor here; the vowel reduction and consonant crispness differ by speaker and region.
The challenge lies in the cluster /kw/ onset followed by a short /ɪ/ and a light /l/ before a trailing /ɪŋ/. The second syllable’s vowel can slip to a schwa for some speakers, altering rhythm. Additionally, the /l/ can be pronounced with more or less air, affecting clarity before the nasal. Focus on keeping the first syllable crisp with /kw/ and delivering a brief, clear /ɪ/ before /l/ and final /ɪŋ/.
The word has strong initial stress on the first syllable: QUIL-ling. A unique feature is the short, crisp /ɪ/ vowel in both syllables and the alveolar /l/ followed by a soft nasal /ŋ/. The final nasal is not fully released in casual speech, so you may hear a lightly released /ŋ/. Emphasize the first syllable and keep the second syllable lighter but still clear.
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