What is arrival? Pronunciation and usage in English

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

Definition & pronunciation of arrival

arrivalnoun

/əˈrʌɪvl/
Definition & pronunciation of arrival

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "arrival" in English. It's a tricky one for some! Here's a breakdown:

The most common and generally accepted pronunciation is:

  • /əˈrɑːvəl/

Let's break that down syllable by syllable:

  1. əˈ (uh-ruh): This is the first syllable.

    • ə - This is a schwa sound – a very weak, unstressed vowel sound, similar to the "a" in "about." It's almost like you're saying "uh."
    • ˈ (stress mark) – This indicates that this syllable is the stressed syllable of the word.

  2. rɑː (rah-vahl): This is the second syllable.

    • rɑː - This is a broad "a" sound – a longer, more open sound than the "a" in "cat." Think of the "a" in "father" or "car." It’s a rounded sound.
    • vəl – This sounds like "vell" with a soft "l" at the end.

Putting it together:

It sounds like: “Uh-rah-vahl”

Tips and Variations:

  • Regional Differences: The “r” sound in American English can sometimes be slightly softened or even dropped, making it sound closer to "uh-ah-vell." In British English, the "r" is typically pronounced more clearly.

  • Listen to Examples: The best way to learn is to hear it. Here are some resources you can listen to:

    • Google: Type "how to pronounce arrival" into Google and listen to the audio.
    • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/arrival/ – This website has recordings of the word pronounced by native speakers from different regions.
    • YouTube: Search YouTube for "how to pronounce arrival".

To help me give you even more specific guidance, would you like me to:

  • Focus on a particular regional pronunciation (e.g., American vs. British)?

Usage and examples with the word arrival in English

Let's break down how to use the word "arrival" in English. It’s a versatile word with a few different meanings and uses. Here's a breakdown:

1. As a Noun (the most common usage):

  • Meaning: The act of coming to a place; the moment someone or something reaches a destination.
  • Examples:
    • "The arrival of the train was delayed due to the storm." (Referring to the event of the train arriving)
    • "We waited anxiously for her arrival." (Referring to the moment she arrived)
    • "The arrival of spring always brings a sense of renewal." (Referring to the coming of spring)
    • "The arrival of refugees in the city was a challenging situation." (Referring to the event of refugees arriving)

2. As a Verb (less common, but still used):

  • Meaning: To come to a place; to reach a destination. It often implies a more formal or significant arrival than simply "arriving."
  • Examples:
    • "The plane is scheduled to arrive at 3:00 PM." (The act of the plane coming)
    • "He arrived at the meeting early." (A common, everyday way to say he came). Note: "arriving" is more common as an adjective or part of a phrase.
    • "The delegation will arrive tomorrow." (The act of the delegation reaching the destination)

3. Phrases Using “Arrival”:

  • Scheduled arrival: (e.g., "The scheduled arrival of the shipment is Friday.") – Refers to a planned arrival.
  • Arrival time: (e.g., "Please let me know the arrival time.") – The time a person or thing will arrive.
  • Arrival point: (e.g., "The arrival point for the shuttle is near the main entrance.") – The place where something arrives.
  • Smooth arrival: (e.g., “The ship had a smooth arrival.”) - Denotes a welcome and effortless arrival.
  • The arrival of…: (e.g., “The arrival of the new CEO brought a wave of excitement.”) - Introduces something new that’s happening.

4. Context is Key:

The meaning of “arrival” is usually clear from the context of the sentence. However, consider these nuances:

  • Formal vs. Informal: "Arrival" tends to be a more formal word than "arriving."
  • Event vs. Moment: "Arrival" often refers to the event of something coming, while "arriving" is more closely tied to the moment of arrival.

Here's a table summarizing the uses:

Part of Speech Meaning Example
Noun The act of coming; the moment of arrival The arrival of the guests was joyous.
Verb To come; to reach The bus will arrive at 8:00 AM.

Do you want me to:

  • Give you more examples in a specific context (e.g., travel, business, weather)?
  • Help you practice using "arrival" in a sentence?
  • Explain any particular nuance you're wondering about?

Synonyms for the word arrival

Idioms of the word arrival

dead on arrival
(of an accident victim or other patient) already dead when arriving at a hospital
  • She was pronounced dead on arrival.
  • He didn’t even make it to hospital: DOA.
  • Many of the casualties were dead on arrival.
(North American English, informal)very unlikely to be successful; not working when it is delivered
  • The bill was dead on arrival in the Senate.
  • The software was DOA.

Practice with vocabulary arrival

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The ________ of the new manager brought positive changes to the team.
  2. We waited anxiously for the ________ of the train, but it was delayed by an hour.
  3. The ________ of the storm forced everyone to stay indoors for safety.
  4. His ________ at the meeting was unexpected, but it added valuable insights to the discussion.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. Which word best describes the moment someone reaches a destination?
    a) Departure
    b) Arrival
    c) Journey
  2. What is the term for the act of coming to a place?
    a) Arrival
    b) Exit
    c) Movement
  3. Which word would you use to describe the start of an event or guest appearance?
    a) Beginning
    b) Arrival
    c) Conclusion
  4. Which of these words is NOT related to reaching a destination?
    a) Arrival
    b) Departure
    c) Stay
  5. What word best fits this sentence: "The ________ of the package was delayed due to bad weather"?
    a) Delivery
    b) Arrival
    c) Exit

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Original: The plane landed at the airport at 8 PM.
    Rewrite: The plane’s ________ at the airport was at 8 PM.
  2. Original: The guests came to the party late.
    Rewrite: The ________ of the guests at the party was late.
  3. Original: The delivery of the goods was scheduled for Friday.
    Rewrite: The goods were expected to ________ on Friday.

Answer:

Exercise 1:

  1. arrival
  2. arrival
  3. approach
  4. presence

Exercise 2:

  1. b) Arrival
  2. a) Arrival
  3. b) Arrival
  4. c) Stay
  5. b) Arrival

Exercise 3:

  1. The plane’s arrival at the airport was at 8 PM.
  2. The arrival of the guests at the party was late.
  3. The goods were expected to arrive on Friday.

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