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Silent K words

In modern English, K is silent whenever it sits directly before N at the start of a word. The K was pronounced in Old and Middle English, but the cluster /kn/ was simplified around the 1600s, leaving the spelling behind. Listen for the word starting cleanly on the N sound, exactly as if the K were not there.


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The words

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Climb, thumb, debt, doubt: words with a B you never say. Listen and copy the correct pronunciation.
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Walk, calm, half, should: the L is written but not spoken. Practise these common silent-L words.
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Castle, listen, often, ballet: words where the T stays silent. Hear each one spoken clearly.
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Hour, honest, ghost, rhythm: an H on the page that never reaches your mouth. Practise all fifteen.
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Write, wrong, sword, answer: the W is invisible in speech. Hear these silent-W words pronounced.
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Psychology, pneumonia, receipt: the P stays quiet. Practise these Greek-derived silent-P words.
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Keep practising

Browse every practice list or the word index, hear two accents back to back on Compare, or test your ear with the listening quiz.

To read the rules behind these words, see the pronunciation guides — including silent letters, word stress and American vs British. Or hear each accent on its own page: American, British, Australian.