Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

kelter

/ˈkɛltɚ/

Word Rarity Very rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 1.06 in modern English

Syllables: kelt-er
IPA: /ˈkɛltɚ/

10

Scrabble Score

6

Letters

2

Syllables

5

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

Archaic form of kilter (“(good) condition, form, or order; fettle”).

British usage; American usage; Archaic; Uncountable

noun

Obsolete; Slang; Uncountable

noun

Rubbish; trifle; hodgepodge.

British usage; Obsolete; Uncountable

Example Sentences

"Fiscal—Something has been out of kelter at Washington these two years with regard to the rigid application of appropriations, at least in the Indian Department."
"—All over, resemblance to a particular object, as a ship in bad kelter: "she's a privateer all over.""
"It was intimated to me that such "frivolousness" was out of kelter with the profession of a Christian."
"By Jove, says my Lord, all my money is flown, […] Pray say, have you got any kelter to spare?"

Etymology

See kilter.

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /ˈkɛltɚ/
British English: /ˈkɛltə/

Usage

Phrases

out of kelter

Synonyms

kilter

Rhymes With

shelter smelter helter skelter welter belter helter-skelter stelter swelter felter pelter

Questions

How do you pronounce kelter?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˈkɛltɚ/.
What does kelter mean?: Archaic form of kilter (“(good) condition, form, or order; fettle”).
Where does kelter come from?: See kilter.

How to pronounce kelter

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