Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

pillory

/ˈpɪləɹi/

Word Rarity Very rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 2.12 in modern English

Syllables
pil-lo-ry
IPA
/ˈpɪləɹi/
12
Scrabble Score
7
Letters
3
Syllables
6
Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

A framework on a post, with holes for the hands and head, used as a means of punishment and humiliation.

verb

To put in a pillory.

Transitive verb

verb

To subject to humiliation, scorn, ridicule or abuse.

Transitive verb

verb

To criticize harshly.

Transitive verb

Example Sentences

Etymology

From Middle English pilory, pillorie, from Old French pilori, pellori, which is either from Old Occitan espilori or Latin pīla (“pillar”).

Origin

Word Breakdown

  • Root: pilory, pilori, espilori, pīla

Usage

Inflected Forms

Derived Forms

Phrases

Synonyms

Homonyms

Rhymes With

Questions

How do you pronounce pillory?
The recorded pronunciation is /ˈpɪləɹi/.
What does pillory mean?
A framework on a post, with holes for the hands and head, used as a means of punishment and humiliation.
Where does pillory come from?
It is traced to Middle English.

How to pronounce pillory

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