sulfur and sulphur are homophones: they are pronounced identically and spelled differently, which is why they are so often swapped. sulfur means “an abundant tasteless odorless multivalent nonmetallic element; best known in yellow crystals; occurs in many sulphide and sulphate minerals and even in native form (especially in volcanic regions)”. sulphur means “an abundant tasteless odorless multivalent nonmetallic element; best known in yellow crystals; occurs in many sulphide and sulphate minerals and even in native form (especially in volcanic regions)”.
/ˈsʌlfɚ/
1.n.an abundant tasteless odorless multivalent nonmetallic element; best known in yellow crystals; occurs in many sulphide and sulphate minerals and even in native form (especially in volcanic regions)
2.v.treat with sulphur in order to preserve
“These dried fruits are sulphured”
/ˈsʌlfɚ/
| sulfur | sulphur | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /ˈsʌlfɚ/ | /ˈsʌlfɚ/ |
| Said | SUHL-fur | SUHL-fur |
| Syllables | 2 | 2 |
| Letters | 6 | 7 |
| Parts of speech | noun, verb | noun, verb |
| Senses | 2 | 2 |
| How common | Familiar | Familiar |
| Synonyms | S, sulphur, atomic number 16 | sulfur, S, atomic number 16 |
Full entry for sulfur · Full entry for sulphur · More comparisons
1.n.an abundant tasteless odorless multivalent nonmetallic element; best known in yellow crystals; occurs in many sulphide and sulphate minerals and even in native form (especially in volcanic regions)
2.v.treat with sulphur in order to preserve
“These dried fruits are sulphured”