The sound /k/ is a strong and clear consonant that we hear in many English words. It’s made by stopping the air at the back of your mouth and then releasing it quickly. Let’s explore the /k/ sound, look at how it appears in different word positions, and give examples to help you recognize and practice it with confidence.
The Consonant Sound /k/
What is the /k/ Sound?
The /k/ sound is a voiceless velar plosive, which means:
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Voiceless: your vocal cords do not vibrate
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Velar: the sound is produced at the back of the mouth, where the back of the tongue touches the soft palate (also called the velum)
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Plosive: the airflow is blocked and then released suddenly
How to Pronounce /k/
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Raise the back of your tongue to touch the soft palate (the velum).
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Build up air pressure behind the tongue.
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Release the tongue quickly — this creates a strong, clear burst of air: /k/.
Let’s hear how the /k/ sound is pronounced in practice and used in a word:
No voice is used — place your hand on your throat and say “cat” — you’ll feel no vibration.
Spelling Patterns for /k/
The /k/ sound can be spelled in different ways in English. Common spellings include:
| Spelling | Example | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| c | cat, cold | /kæt/, /koʊld/ |
| k | kite, king | /kaɪt/, /kɪŋ/ |
| ck | back, rock | /bæk/, /rɑːk/ |
| ch (rare) | chorus, school | /ˈkɔːrəs/, /skuːl/ |
| qu (with /w/) | quick | /kwɪk/ |
Words with the Consonant Sound /k/
Words with /k/ Sound at the Beginning
| Word | IPA |
|---|---|
| cat | /kæt/ |
| cake | /keɪk/ |
| call | /kɔːl/ |
| camera | /ˈkæmərə/ |
| candle | /ˈkændəl/ |
| car | /kɑːr/ |
| card | /kɑːrd/ |
| carrot | /ˈkærət/ |
| carry | /ˈkæri/ |
| cage | /keɪdʒ/ |
| camp | /kæmp/ |
| can | /kæn/ |
| candy | /ˈkændi/ |
| capital | /ˈkæpɪtəl/ |
| captain | /ˈkæptən/ |
| careful | /ˈkeəfəl/ |
| cartoon | /kɑːrˈtuːn/ |
| castle | /ˈkæsəl/ |
| catch | /kætʃ/ |
| cause | /kɔːz/ |
| cave | /keɪv/ |
| cabbage | /ˈkæbɪdʒ/ |
| carry | /ˈkæri/ |
| cold | /koʊld/ |
| coat | /koʊt/ |
| coffee | /ˈkɔːfi/ |
| coin | /kɔɪn/ |
| comb | /koʊm/ |
| comfort | /ˈkʌmfərt/ |
| company | /ˈkʌmpəni/ |
| compare | /kəmˈpeər/ |
| complete | /kəmˈpliːt/ |
| computer | /kəmˈpjuːtər/ |
| cookie | /ˈkʊki/ |
| cook | /kʊk/ |
| cool | /kuːl/ |
| corn | /kɔːrn/ |
| correct | /kəˈrekt/ |
| cost | /kɔːst/ |
| cotton | /ˈkɑːtən/ |
| cover | /ˈkʌvər/ |
| cow | /kaʊ/ |
| crab | /kræb/ |
| crack | /kræk/ |
| crash | /kræʃ/ |
| cream | /kriːm/ |
| create | /kriˈeɪt/ |
| crowd | /kraʊd/ |
| cross | /krɔːs/ |
| cry | /kraɪ/ |
Words with /k/ Sound in the Middle
| Word | IPA |
|---|---|
| bacon | /ˈbeɪkən/ |
| lucky | /ˈlʌki/ |
| socket | /ˈsɑːkɪt/ |
| rocket | /ˈrɑːkɪt/ |
| ticket | /ˈtɪkɪt/ |
| pickle | /ˈpɪkəl/ |
| monkey | /ˈmʌŋki/ |
| soccer | /ˈsɑːkər/ |
| jacket | /ˈdʒækɪt/ |
| record | /ˈrekɔːrd/ |
| /ˈpɑːkɪt/ | |
| doctor | /ˈdɑːktər/ |
| locker | /ˈlɑːkər/ |
| hacker | /ˈhækər/ |
| backer | /ˈbækər/ |
| tracker | /ˈtrækər/ |
| package | /ˈpækɪdʒ/ |
| packet | /ˈpækɪt/ |
| wacky | /ˈwæki/ |
| wicked | /ˈwɪkɪd/ |
| peacock | /ˈpiːkɒk/ |
| socket | /ˈsɒkɪt/ |
| raccoon | /ræˈkuːn/ |
| backup | /ˈbækʌp/ |
| tackle | /ˈtækəl/ |
| speckle | /ˈspɛkəl/ |
| biker | /ˈbaɪkər/ |
| maker | /ˈmeɪkər/ |
| baking | /ˈbeɪkɪŋ/ |
| mocking | /ˈmɒkɪŋ/ |
| shaky | /ˈʃeɪki/ |
| checker | /ˈtʃɛkər/ |
| rocketship | /ˈrɑːkɪtʃɪp/ |
| pancake | /ˈpænkeɪk/ |
| makeup | /ˈmeɪkʌp/ |
| chicken | /ˈtʃɪkən/ |
| tacklebox | /ˈtækəlbɒks/ |
| blackout | /ˈblækaʊt/ |
| breakout | /ˈbreɪkaʊt/ |
| checkout | /ˈtʃɛkaʊt/ |
| necktie | /ˈnɛktaɪ/ |
| sickly | /ˈsɪkli/ |
| trickle | /ˈtrɪkəl/ |
| bucket | /ˈbʌkɪt/ |
| biscuit | /ˈbɪskɪt/ |
| backup | /ˈbækʌp/ |
| tracker | /ˈtrækər/ |
| cupcake | /ˈkʌpkeɪk/ |
| picket | /ˈpɪkɪt/ |
| rocketman | /ˈrɑːkɪtmæn/ |
Words with /k/ Sound at the End
| Word | IPA |
|---|---|
| back | /bæk/ |
| book | /bʊk/ |
| neck | /nɛk/ |
| black | /blæk/ |
| pack | /pæk/ |
| duck | /dʌk/ |
| rock | /rɑːk/ |
| stick | /stɪk/ |
| brick | /brɪk/ |
| clock | /klɑːk/ |
| kick | /kɪk/ |
| check | /tʃɛk/ |
| pick | /pɪk/ |
| sack | /sæk/ |
| snack | /snæk/ |
| tank | /tæŋk/ |
| thick | /θɪk/ |
| trick | /trɪk/ |
| lick | /lɪk/ |
| dock | /dɒk/ |
| mock | /mɒk/ |
| shock | /ʃɒk/ |
| knock | /nɒk/ |
| block | /blɒk/ |
| quack | /kwæk/ |
| chalk | /tʃɔːk/ |
| flake | /fleɪk/ |
| break | /breɪk/ |
| sneak | /sniːk/ |
| leak | /liːk/ |
| peek | /piːk/ |
| shriek | /ʃriːk/ |
| trek | /trɛk/ |
| bulk | /bʌlk/ |
| silk | /sɪlk/ |
| milk | /mɪlk/ |
| yolk | /joʊk/ |
| hulk | /hʌlk/ |
| elk | /ɛlk/ |
| freak | /friːk/ |
| smack | /smæk/ |
| crack | /kræk/ |
| pluck | /plʌk/ |
| struck | /strʌk/ |
| stack | /stæk/ |
| track | /træk/ |
| wreck | /rɛk/ |
| tech | /tɛk/ |
| peek | /piːk/ |
| crook | /krʊk/ |
| clique | /kliːk/ |