/sɛndz/
Say it backSends is the third-person singular present tense of the verb send, meaning to cause something to go from one place to another. In everyday use it also appears as a plural noun in informal contexts referring to a batch or group that sends something, though this is less common. Pronounced with a short /s/ onset, a central to front vowel in the middle, and a final /dz/ or /z/ depending on following sound in connected speech.
"She sends the package every Monday to ensure on-time delivery."
"The group sends their reports to headquarters at 9 a.m. sharp."
"He sends virtual gifts to friends across the world."
You pronounce it as /sɛndz/. Start with a clear voiceless /s/, move to the mid-front vowel /e/ (as in 'bed'), then the nasal /n/, and finish with the voiced alveolar affricate /dz/ (like the end of 'lodz' without a strong stop). The final /z/ sound can merge with /dz/ in fast speech, so you may hear /sɛndz/ or a brief /z/ depending on the speaker. Tip: keep the tongue at the alveolar ridge for /n/ and /d/, and brief, precise release for /dz/.
Two common errors: (1) Dropping the /d/, saying /sɛnz/ or /sɛnz/; ensure you briefly articulate the /d/ before the /z/. (2) Voicing the /s/ and /z/ as a single fricative, producing /zɛndz/ or /sɛnd/; keep the /s/ crisp and release the /dz/ properly. Practice by isolating the /nd/ sequence with a quick tap then a z-like finish. Use minimal pairs like /sɛndz/ vs /sɛnz/ to highlight the /d/ insertion and voicing.
US: /sɛndz/ with a clearly pronounced /d/ before /z/. UK: often similar, but some speakers reduce the /dz/ to a softer affricate, sounding closer to /sendz/ or even [seɲz] in rapid speech; Australian: tends to maintain /dz/ strongly, with less vowel reduction in informal speech. Across all, the rhoticity is not a factor in this word, but vowel quality can shift slightly: US and AU typically have a clearer /e/; UK may have a slightly lower or fronter /e/ depending on the speaker.
Because it blends a cluster with a voiced affricate /dz/ immediately after a voiced nasal /n/. The tongue has to switch rapidly from alveolar buildup for /n/ to a quick, precise release for /dz/, all while maintaining clear voicing. This is challenging for non-native speakers who might insert an extra vowel, drop the /d/, or devoice the /z/. Focusing on the timing between /n/ and /dz/ and practicing slow, precise releases helps overcome the difficulty.
There are no silent letters in 'sends'; it is a one-syllable word with a simple stress pattern. The focus is on the /ndz/ cluster and the transition from nasal /n/ to the affricate /dz/. Some speakers may de-voice the /dz/ in extremely rapid speech, making it sound closer to /sɛndz/ or /sɛnz/; maintaining a crisp, brief /dz/ helps keep the sound clear and prevents slurring.
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The verb send derives from Old English sendan, which meant to hurl, cast, or throw. It is related to the Proto-Germanic *sandin- and shares root ideas with Dutch zenden and German senden. Historically, the term encompassed both physical throwing and the transmission of messages or signals. Over centuries, its sense expanded with the rise of mail systems and later electronic communications, where “send” denotes initiating the transfer of a message, document, or item from a sender to a recipient. The -s form for third-person singular is a standard English inflection and has remained stable across dialects, even as the core action (to dispatch, to transmit) has diversified with technology. The earliest attestations in Middle English show uses tied to performing or causing something to go, evolving into modern usage that includes digital networks and instant messaging, where “sends” often implies rapid, sometimes automated action.
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Help others use "sends" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "sends" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "sends" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "sends"
-nds sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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