What is abandon? Pronunciation and usage in English

abandon means . Learn how to pronounce and use abandon through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of abandon

abandonverb

/əˈband(ə)n/
Definition & pronunciation of abandon

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "abandon" in English. It's a tricky one for many learners! Here's a breakdown:

The most common and accepted pronunciation is:

  • /əbˈændən/ (This is the way it’s generally taught and used)

Let's break that down syllable by syllable:

  1. "ab": Pronounced like "uhb" - Think of the "a" as a short "uh" sound. It’s a quick, unstressed sound.

  2. "ˈænd": This is the stressed syllable (the part of the word that gets emphasized). Pronounce it like "and". The “ˈ” symbol tells you this syllable is stressed.

  3. "on": Pronounced like "on".

Putting it together: uhb - and - on = uhbˈændon

Here are some helpful tips:

  • Emphasis: The emphasis is clearly on the second syllable ("and").
  • Vowel Sounds: Focus on the short "uh" sound in "ab" and the clear “and” sound.
  • Don't say "ab-an-don": Many people instinctively break it down like this, but that’s incorrect. It flows as one word.

Resources for Hearing it:

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Usage and examples with the word abandon in English

Let's break down how to use the word "abandon" in English. It's a versatile word with a few different meanings, so understanding the context is key.

1. As a Verb - To Leave Behind (Most Common)

  • Meaning: To leave a place, person, or thing completely; to give up something or someone. It often implies a sense of leaving unwillingly or without intending to return.
  • Examples:
    • "The hikers had to abandon their campsite due to the approaching storm." (They left the campsite.)
    • "She abandoned her dreams of becoming a singer when she lost her voice." (She gave up her dream.)
    • "The factory abandoned its plans to expand." (They canceled the expansion.)
    • "He abandoned his wife and children." (He left them – often with a negative connotation)

2. As a Verb - To Desert (Often with a Negative Connotation)

  • Meaning: To leave someone in need, especially in a dangerous situation; to fail to support someone. This carries a stronger sense of responsibility being neglected.
  • Examples:
    • "The soldiers abandoned their wounded comrades on the battlefield." (They left them to suffer.)
    • "The government abandoned the refugees at the border." (They left them without help.)
    • “Don’t abandon your principles.” (Don’t give up your moral values.)

3. As an Adjective - Forsaken; Deserted

  • Meaning: Describing something that has been left behind, deserted, or no longer cared for.
  • Examples:
    • "The abandoned house stood on a lonely hill." (Describing a house that is empty and unattended.)
    • “He felt utterly abandoned after his best friend moved away.” (Describes a feeling of being alone and unsupported)
    • “The abandoned ship drifted aimlessly on the ocean.” (Describing a ship that’s been left to decay.)

Key Considerations & Nuances:

  • Tone: “Abandon” can have a strong, negative tone, especially when used to describe leaving someone in need. It often implies a failure of responsibility.
  • Synonyms: Depending on the context, you could use words like: leave, desert, forsake, relinquish, renounce, quit, disengage.

Here’s a table to summarize:

Part of Speech Meaning Example
Verb To leave completely "They abandoned the project."
Verb To desert; to fail to support "He abandoned his family."
Adjective Forsaken; deserted "The abandoned building was creepy."

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Synonyms for the word abandon

Practice with vocabulary abandon

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The crew had to _______ the ship when it began to sink.
  2. It’s important to never _______ your responsibilities, even when things get tough.
  3. She decided to _______ her original plan and try something new.
  4. The team chose to _______ the project because of budget constraints.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. Which word best fits the sentence: "The hikers had to _______ their camp due to the approaching storm."
    a) abandon
    b) leave
    c) discard
    d) neglect

  2. Select the correct word(s): "The company decided to _______ the outdated policies."
    a) abandon
    b) revise
    c) maintain
    d) ignore

  3. Which word is least appropriate in this context: "They had to _______ their hopes of winning after losing the final match."
    a) abandon
    b) forsake
    c) pursue
    d) relinquish

  4. Choose the correct synonym for "desert":
    a) abandon
    b) nourish
    c) embrace
    d) cultivate

  5. Which word does NOT fit: "The scientist refused to _______ the research, even after years of setbacks."
    a) abandon
    b) discontinue
    c) persist
    d) terminate

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Original: The family left the old house because repairs were too expensive.
    Rewrite: The family had ____________ the old house due to the high cost of repairs.

  2. Original: The manager discontinued the project after it failed to meet expectations.
    Rewrite: The manager decided to ____________ the project because it didn’t meet expectations.

  3. Original: The team gave up on the idea after realizing it was impractical.
    Rewrite: The team ____________ the idea after realizing it wouldn’t work.

Answer

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. abandon
  2. neglect
  3. modify
  4. abandon

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. a) abandon
  2. a) abandon
  3. c) pursue
  4. a) abandon
  5. c) persist

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The family had to abandon the old house due to the high cost of repairs.
  2. The manager decided to abandon the project because it didn’t meet expectations.
  3. The team discarded the idea after realizing it wouldn’t work.

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