Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

gilead

/ˈɡɪliæd/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: 2.87 in modern English

Syllables
gilead
IPA
/ˈɡɪliæd/
8
Scrabble Score
6
Letters
2
Syllables
6
Unique Chars

Meaning

name

A region east of the Jordan river.

name

A male given name from Hebrew in occasional use.

name

An illiberal and oppressive place, especially on matters related to women's rights, reproduction, or sex (from the theocratic dystopia in Margaret Atwood's novel The Handmaid's Tale).

Derogatory

Example Sentences

Etymology

From Hebrew גִּלְעָד (gilʻád). For sense 3, the fictional Gilead theocracy from "The Handmaid's Tale" named itself as such because it presented its oppressive policies as "healing" for a fertility crisis.

Origin

Word Breakdown

  • Root: גִּלְעָד

Usage

Subject

Wiktionary places this term in Places.

Derived Forms

Phrases

Rhymes With

Questions

How do you pronounce gilead?
The recorded pronunciation is /ˈɡɪliæd/.
What does gilead mean?
A region east of the Jordan river.
Where does gilead come from?
It is traced to Hebrew.

How to pronounce gilead

  1. Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “gilead”.
  2. Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˈɡɪliæd/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
  3. Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “gilead”.
  4. Repeat and practice — Say “gilead” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.