What is month? Pronunciation and usage in English

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

Definition & pronunciation of month

monthnoun

/mʌnθ/
Definition & pronunciation of month

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "month" in English. It's a tricky one for non-native speakers! Here's a breakdown:

The standard pronunciation is:

/mʌnθ/

Let's break that down syllable by syllable:

  • "mu": This is pronounced like "moon" - a short, quick "uh" sound (like the 'u' in 'but').
  • "nth": This is the tricky part! The "th" sound is like the "th" in "think" or "this." It's a voiceless dental fricative.

Here's a simpler way to think about it:

Many people approximate it as "munth." It's not exactly right, but it's a common and understood shortcut.

Resources for hearing it:

Tips:

  • Focus on the "th" sound: That's really the key to getting it right. Practicing the "th" sound in other words (like "think," "this," "that") will help.
  • Don't overemphasize the "th": It's a subtle sound.

Would you like me to:

  • Repeat the pronunciation?
  • Give you other words with the same "th" sound?

Usage and examples with the word month in English

Let's break down how to use the word "month" in English. It has several different meanings and uses. Here’s a comprehensive guide:

1. As a Unit of Time (Most Common)

  • Definition: A month is a unit of time, roughly equal to 30 or 31 days.
  • Examples:
    • "I was born in July." (Referring to a specific month)
    • "We went on vacation in August."
    • "The meeting is scheduled for next month."
    • "I’ll pay you next month."
    • "Let's plan something for this month."

2. As a Period of Time

  • Definition: "Month" can refer to a period of time, often a longer, less specific span.
  • Examples:
    • "She’s been working here for a month." (Meaning a period of a month)
    • "They spent a month traveling in Europe." (A month-long trip)
    • “It’s been a tough month.” (Referring to a difficult period)

3. Referring to the Moon

  • Definition: It can also refer to the Moon itself.
  • Examples:
    • "He looked at the full moon."
    • "The moon is shining brightly tonight."
    • "Lunar cycle" (referring to the phases of the moon)

4. Counting Months (Calendar)

  • Definition: You use "month" to specify the position of a day on the calendar.
  • Examples:
    • "January is the first month of the year."
    • "February is the second month."
    • "March is after February."
    • “What month is your birthday in?”

5. Figurative/Idiomatic Uses

  • “A month of Sundays”: This idiom means a very long time. (Example: “It’s been a month of Sundays since I’ve seen him.”)
  • “A month's salary”: Used to indicate a large sum of money. (Example: “He spent a month’s salary on a new car.”)

6. Months of the Year (Proper Nouns)

  • Definition: The names of the months (January, February, March, etc.) are proper nouns – they're specific names for the months of the year and are always capitalized.
  • Examples:
    • "I love the holidays in December."
    • "The weather is usually cold in November."

Tips for Using "Month" Correctly:

  • Context is key! The meaning of "month" depends entirely on how it’s used in a sentence.
  • Be specific when referring to dates. Use “day,” “week,” or "year" for more precise descriptions.
  • Capitalize month names. Always capitalize the names of the months when you're referring to them as part of the year (January, February, etc.).

Do you want me to:

  • Give you some practice sentences using "month"?
  • Explain a specific usage of "month" in more detail (e.g., the figurative meanings)?

Synonyms for the word month

Idioms of the word month

flavour of the month
a person or thing that is very popular at a particular time
  • Environmental issues are no longer the flavour of the month.
  • I’m not exactly flavour of the month around here at the moment.
(in) a month of Sundays
(informal)used to emphasize that something will never happen or will take a very long time
  • You won't find it, not in a month of Sundays.
  • It is possible to learn to skydive in Britain, but with our weather it might take a month of Sundays to do it.

Practice with vocabulary month

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. Our project team holds a progress review meeting at the end of each ____.
  2. The new regulations will come into effect next ____, requiring all departments to update their procedures.
  3. The sales figures for the last three ____ show a consistent upward trend.
  4. Please specify the estimated ____ for completing the research, including data collection and analysis.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (there may be multiple correct answers per question)

  1. Which of these represents a standard division of a year, often with 28 to 31 days? A) Decade B) Century C) Month D) Fortnight

  2. Our payroll system processes salaries on a regular basis, often aligned with which of the following increments? A) Minute B) Week C) Month D) Year

  3. Which of these terms could accurately describe the interval between recurring bill payments for a service? A) Moment B) Fortnight C) Month D) Quarter

  4. To ensure the project stays on track, we need to divide the entire workflow into smaller, manageable ____. A) Parts B) Segments C) Divisions D) Moments

  5. The new team member will undergo an intensive onboarding program for the initial ____ of their employment. A) stretch B) duration C) phase D) interval

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The software license needs to be renewed every thirty days. (Rewrite using "month" or a related word form)
  2. Our team committed to achieving this sales target within the next four weeks. (Rewrite using "month" or a related word form)
  3. The detailed report covers the financial performance over the past three-month period. (Rewrite, but do not use "month" in your rewritten sentence)

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. month
  2. month
  3. quarters
  4. duration

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. C) Month
  2. B) Week, C) Month, D) Year
  3. B) Fortnight, C) Month, D) Quarter
  4. A) Parts, B) Segments, C) Divisions
  5. B) duration, C) phase, D) interval

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The software license needs to be renewed monthly.
  2. Our team committed to achieving this sales target within the next month.
  3. The detailed report covers the financial performance over the past quarter.

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