Guide to

Phonesthemic Initial Sounds

We enter the realm of phonosemantics — just for fun!

*On this page...*
Topic Presentation	12 Sounds in Focus

Brief Explainer

Sometimes it is possible to have associations about a word in English merely by looking at it or hearing it spoken. On this page I'd like to draw your attention to certain initial sounds that help convey the general gist of words you might not have met before.

J. K. Rowling's "Harry Potter" stories have long captured the imagination of children all over the world. In the first book of the series, Harry enrolls at Hogwarts school where the naughty boys' team is called Slytherin and the most dreaded teacher is a certain Professor Snape. Native speakers of English automatically associate these names with something bad because experience has taught them that words beginning with sl- and sn- are overwhelmingly negative in meaning.

By listing selected vocabulary items according to their initial-sound associations, I hope to arouse your interest and facilitate memorization.

David

12 Interesting Initial Sounds

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cl- words are often related to the hands or to holding.
claim	to want to get your hands on something
clamber	climb with hands and feet
clamp	device for holding things together
clasp	hold tightly or closely
claw	animal nails; to scratch with claw-like nails
clench	grasp firmly
climb	move up or along by grasping or clinging
clinch	grasp firmly
cling	maintain a grasp on or keep hold of something
clip	device for holding things
clout	heavy blow with the hand
club	a heavy hand-held stick used as a weapon
clutch	seize eagerly

cl- also introduces a number of onamatopoeic sound words.
clack	the sharp sound made by two pieces of wood being knocked together
clamor, clamour	as with a large number of people shouting, or similar noise
clang	the loud and resonant metallic sound made by a large bell
clank	the rattling of a heavy chain, or heavy pieces of metal knocking together
clap	sound made by striking the palms of one's hands together
clash	when two metal objects such as cymbals are being struck together
clatter	rattling sound of many hard objects knocking together at the same time
click	the short, sharp sound made by a switch or computer mouse
clink	the sharp ringing sound emitted by two glasses being knocked together
clonk	the sound of a sudden, heavy impact
cluck	the gutteral cry of a hen

cl- fl- gl- gr- sl- sn- sp- st- str- sw- wh- wr-

fl- words often convey a sense of unimpeded movement for or in air or water.
flag	piece of cloth that moves freely in the air
flagon	large bottle with handle and spout from which cider or wine can flow freely
flail (v.i.)	wave or swing wildly
flap	move wings up and down while flying
flask	narrow-necked bottle from which drinks can flow freely
flee	run away to freedom
fleeting	transient, i.e. time passing swiftly
flexible	pliable, adaptable, versatile
flick	sudden release of bent finger to propel a small object through the air
flip	flick something like a coin so that it spins in the air
flit	make short leisurely flights like a bee between flowers
float	rest or move on the surface of a liquid without sinking
flop	sway about loosely and heavily like uncombed hair over one's face in a breeze
flotsam	wreckage found floating around freely
flow	glide along in an unimpeded stream; proceed smoothly
flue	duct or channel in a wall to convey smoke or hot air
fluency	the smooth and easy flow of speech or writing
fluid	liquid able to flow and alter shape freely
flush	clean by using a rushing flow of water
flute	a wind instrument
flutter	similar to 'flap' but with smaller or less confident wings, like those of a butterfly
flux	a continual process of ebbing and flowing
fly	move freely through the air in a controlled fashion

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gl- words often relate to the behavior of light or the shade of one's mood.
glad	happy, pleased, as if you had sunshine in your heart
glamour	looks or beauty eye-catchingly beaming or radiant
glance	a flash or gleam of light; sunlight glances off a knife
glare	of light that is dazzlingly and uncomfortably bright
glass	a material that allows light to pass through it
glaze	a smooth, light-reflecting surface
gleam	of a light source that shines faintly or intermittently
glee	sunny feeling things are not going well for your foes
glim	a weak light; archaic English for a lantern or candle
glimmer	a weak or intermittently shining source of light or hope
glimpse (v.i.)	shine faintly or intermittently; in poetry, to dawn
glint	cause or reflect a quick flash of light
glisten	shine and sparkle like snow in the sunshine
glister [archaic]	sparkle or glitter
glitter	sparkle and shine with showy brilliance
glitz [slang]	a superficial display of showy brilliance
gloaming [poetic]	dusk or twilight
gloat	have a triumphant feeling after gaining an advantage at someone else's expense
gloom	partial darkness; a dismal situation or feeling of despair
gloriole	a circle of light around the head of a sacred person
glory	a bright experience of honor, fame or exaltation
gloss	a bright sheen or lustre on a surface
glow	emit a steady light and heat without flame
glum	feeling or looking gloomy; having dark thoughts

cl- fl- gl- gr- sl- sn- sp- st- str- sw- wh- wr-

gr- words often depict something unpleasant or miserable.
grate	make a harsh, discordant, irritating sound
grave	very serious or threatening
grief	deep sorrow or mourning
grievance	a cause for complaint
grievous	causing pain or suffering
grim	joyless, stern or forbidding
grimace	a look of displeasure or disgust
grime	ingrained dirt
grimy	dirty
gripe	complaint
grisly	causing horror
gristle	the tough, inedible part of a piece of meat
grit	particle of stone or sand that can casue damage or discomfort
grizzle	complain continually in a whining manner, like a child
groan	an extended low-level sound expressing pain or unhappiness
gross	coarse in manners, or repulsive in appearance
grotty	nasty or of poor quality
grouch	a fit of grumbling or sulkiness
grovel	lower oneself to floor level; show excessive respect toward someone in the hope of winning their favor
growl	make a deep, rough, threatening sound
grub	insect larva
grubby	dirty or grimy
grudge	persistent feeling of resentment or ill will toward someone
grueling	punishing or exhausting
gruesome	horrible, horrific, shockingly ghastly
gruff	of a low voice that is rough or harsh
grumble	complain about something in an annoyed manner
grumpy	of a person hard to please and easily annoyed
grunge	dirt or grime
grunt	the low, gutteral noise made by pigs, or a sound resembling this

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sl- words have overwhelmingly negative connotations.
slack	not taut; negligent, remiss
slag [slang]	strongly disparaging term for a prostitute or promiscuous female
slam	throw shut
slammer [slang]	prison
slander	defame someone falsely
slang	very informal or unofficial language
slanted	biased
slap	hit with the palm of the hand
slapdash	rushed and careless
slap-happy	treating serious things lightly
slash	cut with random, sweeping movement
slate	scold
slaughter	kill in a ruthless manner
slave	person forced to work for nothing
slaver	dribble; servile flattery
slay	kill
sleaze	sordid details
sleazy	dirty and probably dishonest, sordid
sleepy	drowsy
sleet	mixture of snowfall and rainfall
sleight [archaic]	cunning; deceptive trick
sleuth	prying detective
slick	insincere
slide	slip along, slither
slight	insult
slime	thick slippery mud or similar goo
slimy	disgustingly dishonest or flattering
sling	throw quickly and carelessly
slink	sneak
slip	slide unintentionally
slit	cut or tear lengthwise
slither	slide irregularly, as one might on loose gravel; move with an oscillating motion like a snake
slob [colloq.]	coarse person
slobber	slaver
slog	hit wildly
slogan	short, easily remembered phrase, not usually objective
sloppy	careless
slosh [slang]	hit hard
sloth	indolence, laziness
slouch	droop
slough	swamp
slovenly	careless
slow	unhurried; laggardly; tedious
slub	warp or fabric of uneven thickness
sludge	mire, slush
slug	slimy mollusc and garden pest
sluggard	lazy person
sluggish	slow-moving, inactive or inert
slum	squalid living quarters
slumber	sleep; be drowsy, idle or inactive
slump	sudden decline in trade or business
slur	pronounce indistinctly; insult someone
slurp	drink noisily
slush	mire, mud or dirty melting snow
slut [slang]	strongly disparaging term for a prostitute or promiscuous woman
sly	crafty, cunning, wily

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sn- words also have a pejorative tendency, but are not quite as negative as sl- words.
snag	unexpected obstacle
snail	very slow-moving mollusc
snake	long, limbless, often poisonous reptile
snap	break suddenly or unexpectedly
snare	trap
snarl	angry growl
snatch	seize suddenly and impolitely
sneak	go or convey something furtively
sneer	derisive smile or remark
sneeze	sudden involuntary expulsion of air from the nose and mouth
snicker	whinny or neighing sound
snide	slyly derogatory; mean, underhand
sniffy [colloq.]	inclined to sniff; disdainful, contemptuous
snigger	half-suppressed secretive laugh
snipe	hide and fire shots at long range
snit	rage or sulk
snitch [slang]	steal or inform on someone
snivel	cry while sniffling with a runny nose
snob	person who looks down on those (s)he regards as social inferiors
snook [slang]	type of contemptuous gesture
snoop [colloq.]	pry
snooty	supercilious, conceited
snore	breathing with a grunting or snorting sound while asleep
snort	sound made by suddenly forcing breath out through the nose
snot [slang]	nasal mucus
snotty [slang]	contemptible or conceited
snout [slang]	derogatory term for a nose or an informer
snub	rebuff
snuff it [slang]	die
snuffy	annoyed, irritable or contemptuous

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sp- words can relate to the movement of liquids and powder-like substances.
sparge	moisten by sprinkling
spate [BrE]	a river flood
spatter	scatter mud, paint, etc., here and there
spew	forcibly expel liquid; vomit
spigot	tap or device for controlling liquid flow
spill	inadvertently cause a liquid to run or fall out of a vessel
spit	forcibly eject saliva from the mouth
splash	cause drops of liquid to scatter about
splatter	make wet or dirty by splashing
splosh	move with a splashing sound
spout	column or jet of liquid
spray	fine drops of liquid flying around under the force of air or gas
sprinkle	scatter liquids in small drops or solids in fine particles
spurt	gush out in a jet or stream

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st- words often signify a general lack of movement, or activity that is confined.
stab	deep, sharp cut in one place
stable	steady, unwavering; place of confinement for horses
stack	pile or heap in one place
stage	fixed place or point
stagger	hesitate, waver
stagnant	motionless
stagnate	become motionless
stain	a mark that won't budge
stake	pole to mark fixed position; fixed sum of money as a wager
stale	of food left untouched for too long
stalemate	position where you're unable to make any new move
stalk	pursue and so not move away from someone
stall	stop suddenly
stamina	staying power
stammer	get stuck on the same sound when speaking
stamp	bring something down hard on one particular place
stance	fixed attitude or position
stand	remain upright in one place
standard	fixed value or norm
staple	fixed main element
star	a fixed point in the sky
starch	fabric stiffener
stare	look fixedly
startle	shock someone so their heart skips a beat
starve	no movement in the digestive system
stash [colloq.]	keep something safe or hidden in one particular place
state	fixed condition
static	unchanging, not moving
station	place where a train stops
stationary	of a vehicle standing still and no longer moving
statistics	established figures or data
statue	static figure of a living being
status	fixed condition or social position
statute	fixed regulation
stay	not move away
steadfast	constant, unwavering
steady	firm, persistent, unfaltering
stealth	indiscernible movement
stench	foul smell that sticks around
stencil	holed sheet of plastic to create a fixed design with a pencil on paper
step	fixed position on the way somewhere
sterile	barren
stern	with a rigid severity
stew	cook slowly in one place for a long time
stick	affix something so it doesn't move
stiff	rigid, inflexible
stifle	suppress development
stigma	discredit that won't go away
still	not moving
stilted	stiff and unnatural
sting	sharp wound from insect in one particular place
stingy	mean, i.e. making no hand movement toward one's wallet
stink	emit foul smell that won't go away easily
stipend	regular fixed allowance
stipulate	establish as a fixed rule or condition
stock	stationary supply of goods
stodgy	of food, heavy and indigestible
stoical	unmoved emotionally
stomp	walk with heavy, noisy steps, especially when angry; put a foot down heavily in one spot
stooge	compliant person who sticks to instructions
stop	suspend movement
store	keep a stationary supply of goods
stow	pack goods tightly into one place so they don't move
stubborn	exhibiting no movement in one's thinking
stud	male horse kept primarily for breeding rather than riding or racing
study	hold head still over a book for a long time
stuff	pack material tightly into one place so it doesn't move
stuffy	of a room with no air movement, or a person unwilling to change his or her diehard conservative thinking
stump	puzzle, i.e. render someone's brain cells inactive
stun	knock someone senseless so they can't move
stunt	retard growth or development
stupefy	stop someone's brain cell activity
stupid	exhibiting little or no brain cell activity
stupor	dazed state preventing normal bodily activity
sturdy	strong and robust so it stands still in a storm
stutter	get stuck on the same sound when speaking
sty	pen to prevent pigs from moving about too much
style	a fixed appearance or form of something
stymie	cause an obstruction to bring someone to a halt
styptic pencil	stick with chemical to stop small cuts bleeding

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str- words mostly convey narrowness, but sometimes a spreading out in space or time.
straddle	stand across something with your legs spread out in straight line
straggle	trail behind in race or line of people; become dispersed/sporadic
straight	extending unvaryingly in the same direction
strain	stretch tightly; apply sustained pressure to something
strait	narrow stretch of water separating two seas
strake	continuous line of plates or planking from stem to stern of a ship
strand [poetic]	the margin of a lake, river or sea
strangle	narrow the windpipe, freedom of expression, etc.
strap	long narrow strip of leather or other material used for fastening
strategy	series of calculated plans implemented over a period of time
stratum, strata	layer of rock or the atmosphere; sometimes even a social class
straw	long thin dry cut stalk of grain; thin tube to suck up drinks through
stray	wander off course into a wider area than intended or allowed
streak	long thin line or band; row of similar happenings; character trait
stream	narrow river or waterway; flow of something in a certain direction
street	long straight surface for vehicles to move along
strenuous	requiring the channeling of all one's energy
stress	sustained pressure on material objects or mental tension in humans
stretch	pull on something so it becomes taut, or longer and narrower than it already is
strew	scatter or spread all over a surface, perhaps a very wide area
strickle	narrow straight-edged bar to level off exact measure of grain, etc.
strict	adhering to or enforcing on others a straight and narrow pattern of behavior
stride	walk in a narrow path straight ahead with long, firm steps
string	length of narrow cord or twine, and on music instruments wire or catgut
strip	a long, narrow and usually flat piece of something
stripe	a long narrow strip differing in color from surfaces on either side
strive	make a sustained effort to achieve something over time
strobe	light flashing at narrow intervals
stroke	sweep one's hand gently over the surface of something
stroll	walk or saunter leisurely and with a sense of freedom
strop	leather strip for sharpening razors
struggle	put up a sustained fight against hardship or restrictions

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sw- words connote various kinds of movement, often purposeful in nature.
swaddle	throw a garment around an infant and wrap it tightly
swag	sag heavily and sway from side to side
swage	tool for bending metal
swagger	walk arrogantly or with a sense of self-importance
swallow	move one's oesophagus, usually to down food or drink; a fast-moving migratory bird
swamp	inundate an area with a sudden onrush of water
swap	move goods between two people in a mutual exchange
swarm	many insects moving together in a widespread cloud
swash [archaic]	strike violently; swagger
swat	hit something hard with a rapid movement of the arm
swathe	throw a garment around something and wrap it tightly
sway	move back and forth irregularly like a tree in a gale
swear	let the tongue loose with profane or indecent expletives
sweep	move like a broom across a floor
swell	move toward enlargement or increase in size
swerve	move suddenly in an effort to rapidly change course
swift	fast-moving; a fast-flying bird resembling a swallow
swig	move lots of drink down your throat in large draughts
swill	move water over or through something in order to rinse or flush it
swim	propel the body through water by moving arms and legs
swindle	dishonestly remove money from another person's pocket
swing	move to and fro while in suspension
swipe	hit something hard with a sweeping arm-movement
swirl	move or carry along with a whirling motion
swish	move through the air with an audible swinging sound
switch	move position or from one thing to another
swivel	a coupling that allows a part to rotate independently
swoon	fall toward the ground in a fit of fainting
swoop	descend rapidly after eying something on the ground
swoosh	move with the sound of a sudden rush of air or liquid

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wh- words convey various sounds, some emanating from human or animal mouths.
whack	a resounding blow
wham	the sound of a forceful impact
whang	the sound of a heavy strike or blow
whaup	particular cry of a curlew (a species of bird also known as a whaup in Scotland)
wheeze	to breathe with an audibly chesty sound
whew	sound of air rushing through lips to express relief or surprise
whicker	a very gentle whinny made by a horse
whim, whimsy	a sudden bout of capriciousness, perhaps accompanied by a sigh
whimper	a soft whine or feeble, frightened cry
whinchat	a small songbird
whine	the drawn-out wailing sound of an unhappy dog; feeble or undignified complaining by humans
whinge	to whine constantly and irritatedly, so that it gets on other people's nerves
whinny	the softer neighing sound characteristic of a contented horse
whip	a lash on a handle producing a high-pitched sound as it passes through the air
whir, whirr	a constant, rapid buzzing sound, like that from a helicopter's rotor blades in motion
whirl	to swing something round and round, probably causing an audible whirr
whirligig	a fast-spinning or whirling toy
whirlybird [colloq.]	a helicopter
whisk	a sudden sweeping movement that creates a rush of air
whisper	to speak without using the vocal cords
whistle	air forced through nearly closed, rounded lips to produce a shrill but variable sound
whiz, whizz	the sound made by an object flying through the air at high speed
whiz-kid, whizz-kid	a highly successful young person who whizzes up the career ladder
whoop	a sharp, wheezing sound accompanying the intake of breath, as in whooping cough
whoosh	the sound of something rushing through the air

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wr- words mostly involve bending or twisting, either physically or metaphorically.
wrack	a wreck or wreckage
wrangle	mind-bending altercation or rowdy dispute
wrap	to fold a soft material such as paper or cloth around something
wraith	a mind-bending spectral apparition or ghost
wrath	mind-bending anger or rage
wreak	to cause (wrack and ruin, damage, chaos, etc.)
wreath	flowers or leaves flattened and twisted into a ring
wreck, wreckage	usually a heap of twisted metal after a crash or explosion
wrench	a violent twist or tug at a slanting angle, usually to pull something off of something
wrest	to wrench or force something out of someone's hand
wrestle	to grapple with and body-twist a fighting opponent so he/she ends up on the ground
wretch	a pitiable unfortunate whose very existence has been twisted awry
wriggle	to move along in twisting, writhing movements like a worm
wring	to twist wet clothes to squeeze the water out of them; to kill by twisting the neck
wrinkle	a crease in the skin
wrist	a highly flexible, rotatable link connecting your hand to the rest of your arm
write	to hold a pen and with fine, twisting movements of the hand put words to paper
writhe	to twist one's body and roll around, as if in pain
wrong	mistaken, unjust, abnormal, out of place or awry
wrought	of metals flattened or beaten into shape through hammering
wry awry	contorted or distorted; a wry facial expression is one twisted in disapproval or mockery; and if something is awry it has been knocked askew or twisted out of normal alignment

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