Pronunciation Poise: Aunt
"Aunt" is one of those peculiar words whose pronunciation differs across different regions of the U.S. Do you know the most standard way to say it?
What is the oldest and most common pronunciation of "aunt," in American English?
ahnt (rhyming with "font")
ant (rhyming with "grant")
And the correct answer is . . . the second one. In American English, “aunt” is predominantly pronounced to rhyme with “grant.” The “ahnt” pronunciation is primarily used in New England and some parts of the South. It’s also the main pronunciation in British English, but the “grant” pronunciation used to be and is actually the older of the two. Perhaps because some American-English speakers think a pronunciation that rhymes with the pronunciation of an insect is distasteful, or because the more British-sounding “ahnt” sounds more distinguished, “ahnt” is considered to be a more proper pronunciation in American English. It’s not. Although both pronunciations are considered correct, the “grant” pronunciation is by far the most common one in American English.