Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

andiron

/ˈænd.aɪ.ɚn/

Word Rarity Very rare

Frequency: 0.00 in modern English

Syllables: and-iron
IPA: /ˈænd.aɪ.ɚn/

8

Scrabble Score

7

Letters

3

Syllables

6

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

A utensil for supporting wood when burning in a fireplace, one being placed on each side

Example Sentences

"The furniture was old-fashioned and massive. The great brass andirons on the wide hearth stood like sentinels proclaiming and guarding the dignity of the family. The spreading antlers on the wall testified to a mighty hunter in some past generation."

Etymology

From Middle English aundire, aundiren, from Old French andier (possibly from Gaulish anderon (“heifer”)) compare Welsh anner, annair (“heifer”), Breton annoar (“heifer”), from Proto-Celtic *anderā (“young woman”), due either to their somewhat animal-like appearance of four legs or to the prominent figuring of bull and heifer design elements; compare its alternative names of fire-dog and dog-iron. Spelling influenced by iron.

Origin

Source language: Middle English

Word Breakdown

Root: aundire, andier, anderon, *anderā

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /ˈænd.aɪ.ɚn/
British English: /ˈænd.aɪ.ən/

Inflected Forms

andirons (plural) handiron (alternative, obsolete)

Synonyms

fire dog dogiron firedog dog dog-iron

Questions

How do you pronounce andiron?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˈænd.aɪ.ɚn/.
What does andiron mean?: A utensil for supporting wood when burning in a fireplace, one being placed on each side
Where does andiron come from?: It is traced to Middle English.

How to pronounce andiron

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