Note that, in the passages below, the emboldened and same-coloured parts of words listed immediately after the phrase ‘Pronunciation tip’, are pronounced in the same way. For example, ‘Pronunciation tip: pocket, kid’ means the ‘e‘ in the word ‘pocket’ sounds just like the ‘i’ in the word ‘kid’.
paedophile
Pronunciation tip: paedophile, fee, about.
parenthesis
Pronunciation tip: parenthesis, about, bet, kid.
pathetic
The word ‘pathetic’ can mean one of the following.
It can mean ‘inciting scornful pity‘ or simply ‘inciting pity‘. It can also mean ‘lacking in forcefulness or power‘, for example, when used in the phrase ‘a pathetic chief‘.
peep
One of the meanings of ‘peep’ is ‘feeble utterance or complaint‘.
You can learn about all the other meanings from a good dictionary.
penchant
‘A penchant for [something]’ means ‘a strong liking for [something]’.
British pronunciation tip: penchant, croissant, show.
American pronunciation tip: penchant, bet, chat, about.
peril
A ‘peril’ is a ‘source of danger’ or a ‘possibility of incurring misfortune or loss‘. You can use this word in expressions such as ‘in serious peril‘.
Pronunciation tip: peril, bet, about.
petite
‘Petite’ means ‘very small‘.
Pronunciation tip: petite, about, fee, gate.
piety
‘Piety’ means ‘righteousness by virtue of being pious‘.
Pronunciation tip: piety, pious, ice, about.
pitfall
A ‘pitfall ‘ is a ‘surprising, unexpected or unforeseen difficulty‘.
plop
When used as a noun, ‘plop’ refers to the sound of a rounded object dropping into a liquid without a splash. When used as a verb, ‘plop’ means ‘drop [something] with a plopping sound‘.
pocket
Pronunciation tip: pocket, kid.
predecessor
Pronunciation tip: predecessor, fee, about.
preposition
Pronunciation tip: preposition, bet, about.
prerogative
‘Prerogative of [someone]’ means ‘right (especially a hereditary or official right) reserved exclusively by [someone]‘.
Pronunciation tip: prerogative, kid, about.
pretentious
‘Pretentious’ means ‘creating an appearance of or making claim to (often undeserved) distinction or importance‘.
prevalent
Pronunciation tip: prevalent, bet, about.
prick
A ‘prick’ is an ‘irritating, ridiculous or stupid person‘. This term of address is used in an insulting, offensive or vulgar sense.
proceeds
‘Proceeds’ means ‘profit or income arising from transaction involving sale of property such as land‘.
Pronunciation tip: proceeds, tow.
process
Pronunciation tip: process, tow, bet.
pundit
A ‘pundit’ is a ‘critic or expert in a particular field who often presents their views to the media‘.
Pronunciation tip: pundit, cup.
purchase
Pronunciation tip: purchase, kid.
pursuit
British pronunciation tip: pursuit, pursue, yoo-hoo.
American pronunciation tip: pursuit, pursue, mood.
pylon
One of the meanings of ‘pylon’ is ‘large steel tower supporting high-tension power lines‘.
Pronunciation tip: pylon, ice, about.