Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

hex sign

/ˈhɛks saɪn/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.30 in modern English

Syllables: hex sign
IPA: /ˈhɛks saɪn/

18

Scrabble Score

7

Letters

1

Syllables

7

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

A geometric design usually consisting of a star or flower placed in a circular field, used by the Fancy Dutch on buildings such as barns, often said to be intended as a ward against evil in former times.

American usage

noun

A protective symbol used in Heathenry comprising a six-petaled flower or star set within a circle, as a New Age adaptation of the above.

Example Sentences

"This association will partially pay for the repainting of hex signs in the tourist areas."
"1984 Futharc A Handbook of Rune Magic, Edred Thorsson, Samuel Weiser Inc, 0-87728-548-9, page 107. Common in Dutch hex signs and a powerful framework for talismans and visual magic."
"Note the hex signs on the barn, an old Pennsylvania Dutch custom used to ward off the evil spirits."
"The original hex signs were created by the Pennsylvania Dutch, a cultural group composed of several different groups of people."

Etymology

Compound of hex + sign, coined in English.

Usage

American usage

Inflected Forms

hex signs (plural)

Frequently Paired Words

hex

Questions

How do you pronounce hex sign?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˈhɛks saɪn/.
What does hex sign mean?: A geometric design usually consisting of a star or flower placed in a circular field, used by the Fancy Dutch on buildings such as barns, often said to be intended as a ward against evil in former times.
Where does hex sign come from?: Compound of hex + sign, coined in English.

How to pronounce hex sign

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