What is appeal? Pronunciation and usage in English

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

Definition & pronunciation of appeal

appealverb/noun

/əˈpiːl/
Definition & pronunciation of appeal

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "appeal" in English. There are two common pronunciations, and it depends on where you are (primarily the US vs. the UK).

1. American English Pronunciation (Most Common):

  • IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet): /ɪˈpiːl/

  • How to say it:

    • i: As in "bit" – a short, quick "i" sound.
    • ˈpiː: "pee" – pronounced like the letter "P" followed by a long "ee" sound (like in "see"). Emphasis is on this syllable.
    • l: As in "light" – a simple "l" sound.

    Putting it together: ih-PEE-l

2. British English Pronunciation:

  • IPA: /əˈpiːl/

  • How to say it:

    • ə: A schwa sound – a very reduced, neutral vowel sound, often like the "a" in "about." It's very short and subtle.
    • ˈpiː: “pee” – pronounced like the letter "P" followed by a long "ee" sound (like in "see"). Emphasis is on this syllable.
    • l: As in "light" – a simple "l" sound.

    Putting it together: uh-PEE-l (The "uh" sound is softer than the American "ih")

Here's a helpful breakdown to compare:

Feature American English British English
First Syllable "ih" (short "i") "uh" (schwa sound)
Second Syllable "PEE" (long "ee") "PEE" (long "ee")
Overall Sound More distinct Smoother, less stressed

Resources for Hearing the Pronunciation:

  • Google Translate: Type "appeal" into Google Translate and click the speaker icon to hear both pronunciations. (https://translate.google.com/)
  • Youglish: https://youglish.com/ - This site lets you type a word and see how it’s pronounced in real videos (YouTube).

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • Where are you located (generally)? (e.g., United States, United Kingdom, Australia, etc.)

Usage and examples with the word appeal in English

Let's break down how to use the word "appeal" in English. It's a surprisingly versatile word with several different meanings and uses. Here's a breakdown, categorized for clarity:

1. As a Verb (to request a review)

  • Meaning: To formally request a review of a decision or ruling, usually by a higher authority. This is the most common way "appeal" is used today.
  • Example: “The defendant decided to appeal the verdict to the Supreme Court.” (They're asking for a higher court to review the lower court’s decision.)
  • Example: “The student appealed the grade he received on the exam.” (He’s asking the teacher or principal to reconsider.)
  • Key phrases: appeal to, appeal against, file an appeal, lodge an appeal

2. As a Noun (a request for review)

  • Meaning: The formal request for a review of a decision.
  • Example: “The lawyer presented a strong appeal to the judge.” (The lawyer's arguments were the appeal itself.)
  • Example: "The court rejected the appeal." (The request for review was denied.)

3. As a Verb (to attract or interest)

  • Meaning: To attract or engage someone's interest, feelings, or emotions. This is a more figurative use.
  • Example: “The film's stunning visuals appeal to a wide audience.” (The visuals are attractive and engaging.)
  • Example: “Her kindness appealed to me.” (Her kindness attracted my positive feelings.)
  • Synonyms: attract, entice, resonate, captivate.

4. As a Noun (a quality that attracts)

  • Meaning: A characteristic or quality that makes something attractive or interesting.
  • Example: “The restaurant’s cozy atmosphere is its greatest appeal.” (The atmosphere is what people find appealing.)
  • Example: “Honesty is a key appeal of a good leader.” (Honesty is a desirable quality.)

5. (Less Common) As a Verb (to call upon a higher power)

  • Meaning: To pray or beseech a deity for help or intervention. This is a more archaic and religious usage.
  • Example: “He appealed to God for guidance.” (He prayed to God.)

Here's a table to summarize:

Part of Speech Meaning Example
Verb (Review) Request a review of a decision “They appealed the decision to the board.”
Noun (Review) The formal request for a review “Their appeal was denied.”
Verb (Attract) To attract or interest “The beach is a huge appeal for tourists.”
Noun (Quality) A desirable characteristic “Friendliness is the appeal of the town.”
Verb (Prayer) To pray or beseech a deity “He appealed to the heavens.”

Tips for Using "Appeal" Correctly:

  • Context is key: Pay attention to the surrounding words and the overall situation to understand which meaning of "appeal" is intended.
  • Formal vs. Informal: Using "appeal" in a legal or official context typically refers to the review process. Using it to describe attraction or interest is often more informal.

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • What are you trying to use "appeal" in? (e.g., a writing assignment, a conversation, etc.)
  • Can you give me a sentence where you're considering using the word?

Synonyms for the word appeal

Practice with vocabulary appeal

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The new marketing campaign was designed to ____ to a younger audience.
  2. The lawyer filed an ____ to the court, requesting a review of the verdict.
  3. The charity event aimed to ____ for donations to support the cause.
  4. The judge found the argument logical and agreed with its ____.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. The artist’s work has a universal ___ that transcends cultural barriers.
    a) charm b) appeal c) request d) demand
  2. The company’s decision to go green has ___ many environmentally conscious customers.
    a) attracted b) appealed c) pleased d) requested
  3. She made a strong ___ to the board to reconsider their decision.
    a) appeal b) argument c) demand d) request
  4. The new policy has ___ to employees because it improves work-life balance.
    a) benefits b) appeals c) advantages d) offers
  5. The advertisement’s ___ to emotion made it highly effective.
    a) approach b) appeal c) focus d) reliance

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The product’s unique features make it attractive to customers.
    → The product’s unique features give it wide customer appeal.
  2. The lawyer requested a review of the case.
    → The lawyer filed an appeal for a review of the case.
  3. The speaker’s argument was persuasive and convinced the audience.
    → The speaker’s argument had a strong persuasive effect on the audience.

Answers
Exercise 1:

  1. appeal
  2. appeal
  3. solicit
  4. reason

Exercise 2:

  1. b) appeal
  2. a) attracted
  3. a) appeal
  4. b) appeals
  5. b) appeal

Exercise 3:

  1. The product’s unique features give it wide customer appeal.
  2. The lawyer filed an appeal for a review of the case.
  3. The speaker’s argument had a strong persuasive effect on the audience.

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