Pronounce CLIQUE: Click or CL-EEK?

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SUMMARY

The correct pronunciation of "clique" is definitively "cleek," rhyming with "Monique," as established by participants in the discussion. While some Americans pronounce it as "click," the consensus among forum members favors the "eek" sound, aligning with similar words like "unique" and "boutique." The debate highlights regional pronunciation differences, with references to dictionary sources confirming both pronunciations are acceptable, but preference leans towards "cleek." The discussion also touches on other words with similar endings, emphasizing the nuances of English pronunciation.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of phonetics and pronunciation variations
  • Familiarity with English vocabulary, particularly words ending in "ique"
  • Knowledge of regional dialects in American and British English
  • Basic research skills to consult online dictionaries
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the phonetic transcription of "clique" using resources like the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA)
  • Explore the pronunciation of other "ique" words such as "unique" and "boutique"
  • Investigate regional dialect differences in English pronunciation
  • Learn about the impact of language evolution on pronunciation norms
USEFUL FOR

Language enthusiasts, linguists, educators, and anyone interested in the intricacies of English pronunciation and regional dialects will benefit from this discussion.

Physics is Phun
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CLIQUE
is it click as in click the mouse. or CL-EEK and in rhyms with peek.
 
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It's the former.
 
I wonder how you'd pronounce my name then :bugeye: Monick?
 
In the US, we pronounce clique as click. (We still pronounce Monique as Moneek, unless you tell us it should be otherwise. :smile:) Apparently, it is pronounced as cleek in other places.
 
'Cleek', definitely. It has an "ique" in it! It's got to be "eek"y, just like Monique, oblique and, urm, chic.
 
brewnog said:
'Cleek', definitely. It has an "ique" in it! It's got to be "eek"y, just like Monique, oblique and, urm, chic.
and unique :wink:
 
Monique said:
and unique :wink:

Good one!

And physique!
 
and botique
 
yomamma said:
and botique


And boutique too. And antique.

And sique, mique, tique, bique, frique, chique, lique, rique and blique.
 
  • #10
and botique
 
  • #11
Monique said:
and unique :wink:
Not to forget piquant. :-p
 
  • #12
chique, boutique, ludique, magnifique, mythique, laconique, critique, antique :biggrin:
 
  • #13
how about plain "ique"
 
  • #14
'Cleek', for sure. I cringe when I hear people pronounce it 'click'. Makes me want to ask if they're American... : smile :
 
  • #15
yomamma said:
how about plain "ique"

The noise Moonbear makes when you step on her toes?
Accidentally...[/size]
 
  • #16
Click fo sho. All you non-United Statians and your weird pronunciations :smile:

Hmm, I went to answers.com to prove my case, thinking that they would have the US pronunciation, and they did not :cry:
 
Last edited:
  • #17
mattmns said:
thinking that they would have the US pronounciation, and they did not :cry:
They probably don't have that spelling of 'pronunciation' either. :-p
 
  • #18
rofl, you are probably correct. What is wrong with doing that, is that not the british spelling?
 
  • #19
mattmns said:
rofl, you are probably correct. What is wrong with doing that, is that not the british spelling?
No, it is not; nor the Yank spelling for that matter. It is uniquely (pronounced 'you-neek-ly') your own.
 
  • #21
So how do you pronounce
communique
 
  • #22
robphy said:
So how do you pronounce
communique

After you've heard me pronounce 'picturesque', you really won't want to know...
 
  • #23
matthyaouw said:
Apparently either are acceptable: http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=clique
I'm sticking with the one that rhymes with Monique (rather than Monick)
All of the references listed in that site are US published, including that ridiculous American Heritage thing, so your choice is the correct one.
Now that we've covered pronunciation and spelling, want to take a shot at the grammar of 'either are acceptable'? :-p
 
  • #24
brewnog said:
The noise Moonbear makes when you step on her toes?
Accidentally...[/size]
No, that rhymes with "duck." :-p
 
  • #25
  • #26
Moonbear said:
No, that rhymes with "duck." :-p
actually, that rhymes with "duck blue"
 
  • #27
All this madness over one little word :-p I'll know better next time I come asking for pronounciation help. :smile:
Thanks guys :biggrin:
 
  • #28
Physics is Phun said:
All this madness over one little word :-p
You ought to check out the 'aunt' discussion... :rolleyes:
 
  • #29
physics is phun said:
how do you pronounce...

I've always said "dot, dot, dot" but some people may not agree with me :biggrin:
 
  • #30
Moonbear said:
No, that rhymes with "duck." :-p
hehehehehee :biggrin:
 

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