What is ankle? Pronunciation and usage in English

ankle means . Learn how to pronounce and use ankle through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of ankle

anklenoun

/ˈaŋkl/
Definition & pronunciation of ankle

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "ankle" in English. Here's a breakdown:

The most common and accepted pronunciation is:

  • ˈæŋkəl (stress on the first syllable)

Let's break it down further:

  • ˈæŋ – This sounds like "ang" as in "sang." The "g" is a hard "g" sound.
  • k – a quick, short "k" sound.
  • əl – This sounds like "uhl," almost like "uh-l."

Here's a phonetic transcription (a more technical way to represent the sound):

IPA: /ˈæŋkəl/

Tips for getting it right:

  • Focus on the "ang" sound at the beginning. This is the key to getting the pronunciation right.
  • Don't overemphasize the "l" – it’s a very subtle "l" sound.

You can hear examples online:

  • Google: Search for "how to pronounce ankle" on Google and you'll find audio clips and videos.
  • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/ankle/ - This website lets you hear native speakers pronounce the word in different accents.

Do you want me to:

  • Repeat the pronunciation slowly?
  • Give you some example sentences using the word "ankle"?

Usage and examples with the word ankle in English

Let's break down how to use the word "ankle" in English. It's a fairly common word with several different meanings and uses. Here's a breakdown:

1. The Physical Ankle (The most common meaning)

  • Definition: The ankle is the joint where your foot connects to your leg. It's the bony area just below your knee and above your foot.
  • Grammatical Function: Usually a noun.
  • Examples:
    • "He twisted his ankle while playing soccer." (Describing a body part)
    • "She wore a supportive ankle brace after the injury." (Referring to the joint)
    • "I had a painful ankle sprain." (Specific condition)
    • "I tightened my ankle support." (Action relating to the joint)

2. "To Ankle" – (Verb - Movement/Restraint)

  • Definition: To grab someone’s ankle and pull them to the ground, or to restrain them by holding their ankle.
  • Grammatical Function: Verb
  • Examples:
    • "The police tried to ankle him as he ran away." (Restraining someone)
    • “He tripped and was ankled by his own shoelace.” (Falling due to being grabbed by the ankle)
    • "Don't ankle me! I'm not doing anything wrong!" (Refusing to be restrained)

3. "Ankle-Deep" (Adjective Phrase)

  • Definition: Describes something reaching up to the ankle.
  • Grammatical Function: Adjective Phrase
  • Examples:
    • "The water was ankle-deep in the stream." (Describes the depth of water)
    • “We were wading ankle-deep through the mud.” (Describing the depth and experience)

4. "Ankle-High" (Adjective)

  • Definition: Describes clothing or footwear that reaches to the ankle.
  • Grammatical Function: Adjective
  • Examples:
    • "She wore ankle-high boots." (Describing the height of the boots)
    • "I prefer ankle-high socks." (Describing the type of socks)

5. Figurative Uses (Less Common)

  • "Get under someone's ankle" - This is an idiom meaning to annoy or bother someone persistently. (e.g., "He always gets under my ankle with his constant questions.")

Tips for Using "Ankle" Correctly:

  • Context is key: The meaning of “ankle” depends entirely on the context of the sentence.
  • Be specific: When referring to the body part, it’s often helpful to specify if you’re talking about a sprain, injury, or the joint itself.

Resources for Further Learning:

Do you want me to:

  • Give you more examples of how to use “ankle” in a specific context (e.g., sports, medical, fashion)?
  • Explain a particular usage of “ankle” in more detail (like the idiom "get under someone's ankle")?

Synonyms for the word ankle

Practice with vocabulary ankle

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. She twisted her _________ while running on the uneven trail.
  2. The bracelet was too tight and left a mark on her _________.
  3. The doctor advised him to wear a brace to support his _________.
  4. He felt a sharp pain in his _________ after the long hike.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. Which part of the body connects the foot to the leg?
    a) elbow
    b) ankle
    c) shoulder
  2. After the fall, she had to ice her _________ to reduce swelling.
    a) wrist
    b) knee
    c) ankle
  3. The runner’s _________ injury forced him to take a break from training.
    a) hip
    b) ankle
    c) neck
  4. Which of these is not a joint in the lower body?
    a) hip
    b) elbow
    c) knee
  5. The tendon connecting the calf muscle to the foot is located near the _________.
    a) ankle
    b) thigh
    c) shoulder

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Original: She hurt her wrist during the game.
    Rewrite: She hurt her ankle during the game.
  2. Original: The doctor examined the joint that connects the foot and leg.
    Rewrite: The doctor examined the ankle.
  3. Original: He wore a brace to support his knee after the injury.
    Rewrite: He wore a brace to support his hip after the injury.

Answers:

Exercise 1:

  1. ankle
  2. wrist
  3. ankle
  4. leg

Exercise 2:

  1. b) ankle
  2. c) ankle
  3. b) ankle
  4. b) elbow
  5. a) ankle

Exercise 3:

  1. She hurt her ankle during the game.
  2. The doctor examined the ankle.
  3. He wore a brace to support his hip after the injury.

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