How Do You Spell JANUARY?

Pronunciation: [d͡ʒˈanjuːəɹˌi] (IPA)

The spelling of the word "January" is one of the most difficult for English language learners. This popular month is pronounced as 'jan-u-er-ee' in IPA phonetic transcription. The 'J' sound is created by the letter 'J', and the 'a' sound is created by the letter 'a'. However, the final 'ary' sound is created by the letters 'a-n-u-a-r-y'. Many find it quite tricky to remember the spelling of this long and complicated word, but with practice, it becomes easier to spell January effortlessly.

JANUARY Meaning and Definition

  1. January is the first month of the Gregorian calendar, consisting of 31 days. Derived from the Latin word "ianuarius," it is named after the Roman god Janus, who was depicted with two faces, one gazing into the past and the other towards the future. As such, January signifies a time of reflection on previous events and anticipation of what lies ahead, symbolizing new beginnings and fresh starts.

    In terms of climate, January typically encompasses the depth of winter in the Northern Hemisphere. It is characterized by cold temperatures, often accompanied by ice, snowfall, and brisk winds. Conversely, in the Southern Hemisphere, it corresponds to peak summer, with warmer weather and longer daylight hours.

    Culturally, January holds special significance due to several observances and holidays. In many countries, New Year's Day on January 1st marks the start of the year, celebrated with festivities, fireworks, and resolutions. Additionally, in certain Christian traditions, January 6th commemorates Epiphany, also known as Three Kings' Day or Twelfth Night. Moreover, specific dates may vary, but events such as Martin Luther King Jr. Day in the United States and Australia Day in Australia are observed in January.

    Overall, January represents a month of transition, punctuated by different customs and weather patterns worldwide. Its position at the beginning of the year sets the tone for what is to come, promoting reflection, goal-setting, and the opportunity for personal growth and change.

  2. The first month of the year.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for JANUARY *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for JANUARY

Etymology of JANUARY

The word "January" originates from the Latin term "Ianuarius", which was derived from the ancient Roman god named Janus. Janus was a deity associated with gateways, beginnings, transitions, and time. He was often depicted with two faces, looking both forward and backward simultaneously. The month of "Ianuarius" was named after Janus because it represented the gateway to the new year.

Idioms with the word JANUARY

  • It'll be a long day in January The idiom "It'll be a long day in January" is often used to express the idea that something is very unlikely to happen or that a particular event is highly improbable. It implies that the event being referred to is as unlikely as a day being excessively long in the typically short and cold month of January.
  • It'll be a long day in January (when sth happens). The idiom "It'll be a long day in January" (when something happens) is usually used to express extreme skepticism or doubt. It conveys the idea that something is highly unlikely or improbable, suggesting that it would be more plausible for a day in January, typically associated with being short and cold, to become significantly longer than for the mentioned event to occur.
  • (as) slow as molasses in January The idiom "slow as molasses in January" means extremely slow or sluggish. It refers to the slow movement of molasses during the cold months of January, as it thickens and moves at a significantly slower pace than usual.
  • slower than molasses in January The idiom "slower than molasses in January" is used to describe something or someone that is extremely slow or sluggish. It highlights the slow movement of molasses, a thick, sticky syrup, particularly in the cold winter months when it tends to move even slower.
  • It'll be a long day in January (when something happens). The idiom "It'll be a long day in January (when something happens)" is often used to express extreme doubt or skepticism about the likelihood of something occurring. It implies that the event being referenced is highly improbable and unlikely to happen, to the point where it would only occur on a day in the height of winter that is unusually long.
  • *slow as molasses in January

Similar spelling words for JANUARY

Plural form of JANUARY is JANUARIES

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