Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

heaven forfend

/ˌhɛv(ə)n fɔɹˈfɛnd/

Word Rarity Very rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 1.56 in modern English

Syllables: heav-en for-fend
IPA: /ˌhɛv(ə)n fɔɹˈfɛnd/

26

Scrabble Score

13

Letters

3

Syllables

9

Unique Chars

Meaning

intj

Used to express that one hopes that something does not happen

Dated; Humorous

Example Sentences

"Advisor: The voters now see you as imperial and god-like. Burns: Hot dog! Advisor: But there's a down-side to it. The latest polls indicate you're in danger of losing touch with the common man. Burns: Oh, dear! Heaven forfend!"
"Now there's an opportunity to employ a man who, heaven forfend, actually thinks about tactics and team balance."

Etymology

From heaven (“abode of God”) + forfend (“to avert; to forbid, prohibit”).

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /ˌhɛv(ə)n fɔɹˈfɛnd/
British English: /ˌhɛvn̩ fɔːˈfɛnd/

Usage

Synonyms

heaven forbid God forbid heaven forfend absit omen God forfend lo aleinu

Antonyms

God willing

Rhymes With

end friend send spend weekend recommend tend attend tight end trend defend extend

Questions

How do you pronounce heaven forfend?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˌhɛv(ə)n fɔɹˈfɛnd/.
What does heaven forfend mean?: Used to express that one hopes that something does not happen
Where does heaven forfend come from?: From heaven (“abode of God”) + forfend (“to avert; to forbid, prohibit”).

How to pronounce heaven forfend

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