English pronunciation · Words Starting with C
Calf Pronunciation
Calf is pronounced KAF, IPA /ˈkæf/.
KAF
US /ˈkæf/ · UK /ˈkɑːf/
Syllables: KAF (1 syllable)
noun: A young cow, or the thick muscle at the back of the lower leg.
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Calf in a Sentence
- The calf stayed close to its mother all afternoon.
- He tore a muscle in his left calf during the race.
- A calf was born on the farm last night.
Common Mispronunciations of Calf
Not KALF
Leave out the l altogether. Spelling keeps it, but the sound runs straight from the vowel to the f, as it does in half.
Not KAYF
Flat a here, the vowel of cat. The plural calves keeps the same short sound in American English.
Tip: British and Australian speakers use a long ah, KAHF, which rhymes with their version of laugh.
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