What is weekend? Pronunciation and usage in English

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

Definition & pronunciation of weekend

weekendnoun

/ˌwiːkˈɛnd//ˈwiːkɛnd/
Definition & pronunciation of weekend

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "weekend." Here's a breakdown with different approaches:

1. The Most Common & Natural Pronunciation:

  • **ˈwɪk.ɪn.d</th>
    • ˈwɪk: Sounds like "wick" - as in, a wick of a candle. The stress is strongly on this first syllable.
    • ɪn: Sounds like "in" (as in, "in a box").
    • d: Sounds like the letter "d".

2. Slight Variations (Still Perfectly Acceptable):

  • ˈwek.ən.d: This is a very common alternative and sounds almost identical. ("wek" like "week")

Tips for Pronunciation:

  • Stress: The first syllable ("wick") is the most important part to emphasize.
  • Vowel Sounds: "i" in "wick" is a short "i" sound, like in "bit." "in" is a simple "in" sound.
  • Smooth Connection: Try to say each syllable smoothly, not chopping them up.

Resources to Hear It:

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Usage and examples with the word weekend in English

Let's break down how to use the word "weekend" in English. It's a pretty common and versatile word!

1. Basic Definition:

  • The weekend is the time off from work or school that comes on Saturday and Sunday. It's the period of leisure and relaxation after a typical work or school week.

2. Common Uses & Examples:

  • Describing Time:

    • “I look forward to the weekend.” (Meaning: I want to have time off.)
    • “The weekend is almost here!” (Meaning: The days of Saturday and Sunday are approaching.)
    • “Let's plan something for the weekend.” (Meaning: Let’s make plans for Saturday and Sunday.)

  • Talking about Activities:

    • “I’m going hiking this weekend.” (Meaning: I’m going hiking on Saturday and Sunday.)
    • “We’re having a party this weekend.” (Meaning: The party is happening on Saturday and Sunday.)
    • “I spent the weekend relaxing at home.” (Meaning: I relaxed at home on Saturday and Sunday.)

  • Referring to a Period:

    • “This weekend has been great!” (Meaning: The days of this Saturday and Sunday have been enjoyable.)
    • “What are you doing this weekend?” (Asking about plans for the upcoming Saturday and Sunday)

  • With Prepositions:

    • "I need a vacation over the weekend." (Meaning: I need a vacation during the weekend - Saturday and Sunday)
    • "I'll catch up on my reading this weekend." (Meaning: I’ll read during the weekend)

3. Important Notes:

  • Capitalization: "Weekend" is not capitalized unless it's the beginning of a sentence.
  • Plural Form: The plural form is “weekends.” "I have two weekends free."

4. Phrases Using "Weekend":

  • Have a good weekend! (A common farewell)
  • Long weekend: A weekend that includes a holiday (like Memorial Day or Labor Day).
  • Weekend getaway: A short trip taken during the weekend.

Example Sentences Combining these Concepts:

  • “I’m excited for the long weekend coming up next month – I’m planning a trip to the coast!”
  • “Don't forget to tell your family 'Have a good weekend!'"
  • “She spent her weekend volunteering at the animal shelter."

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Synonyms for the word weekend

Practice with vocabulary weekend

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. Many professionals look forward to the ______ to unwind after a busy five days.
  2. Our team has scheduled a casual get-together for the upcoming ______.
  3. The national ______ will give us an extra day off, creating a long three-day break.
  4. I prefer to handle administrative tasks and routine meetings during the ______.

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

  1. Which of these terms specifically refers to the period of Saturday and Sunday? a) Weekday b) Mid-week c) Weekend d) Fortnight

  2. If you're planning a non-work-related outing or a relaxing activity, which day(s) would typically be most suitable? a) Monday morning b) Friday evening c) Saturday afternoon d) Wednesday lunch break

  3. To avoid disrupting business operations, when would a company most likely schedule non-urgent maintenance or system upgrades? a) Tuesday morning b) During the weekend c) Public holidays d) Weekday lunch hour

  4. Which of these is typically considered a regular workday in most countries? a) Saturday b) Sunday c) Tuesday d) National holiday

  5. After completing an intense project, many employees feel the need for a short ______ to recuperate before starting new tasks. a) daily commute b) coffee break c) extended rest d) conference call

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Original: Most people enjoy their days off after a long work week. Rewrite: Most people look forward to enjoying their ______ after a long work week.

  2. Original: Our department usually holds social gatherings on Saturday or Sunday. Rewrite: Our department usually holds social gatherings over the ______.

  3. Original: The project team will take a short break from work to recharge before the final push. Rewrite: The project team will take a short ______ from work to recharge before the final push.

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. weekend
  2. weekend
  3. holiday
  4. weekdays

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. c) Weekend
  2. b) Friday evening, c) Saturday afternoon
  3. b) During the weekend, c) Public holidays
  4. c) Tuesday
  5. c) extended rest

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Most people look forward to enjoying their weekend after a long work week.
  2. Our department usually holds social gatherings over the weekend.
  3. The project team will take a short time off from work to recharge before the final push.

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