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What is a word with Q and no U?

Published in Words with Q 2 mins read

A word with 'Q' and no 'U' is qoph. Other examples include qiyas, qorma, and QWERTY.

Understanding Words with 'Q' and No 'U'

In the English language, the letter 'Q' is almost always followed by the letter 'U'. This common pairing forms the 'qu' digraph, which typically produces a /kw/ sound, as seen in words like "queen" or "quick." However, there are exceptions where 'Q' appears without an accompanying 'U', or without 'U' at all within the word. These words often have origins in other languages, such as Arabic, Hebrew, or Chinese, where the 'Q' sound does not necessitate a following 'U'.

Examples of Words with 'Q' and No 'U'

Here are several words that feature 'Q' but do not contain the letter 'U', making them notable exceptions to the common English spelling rule:

Word Meaning
qiyas An analogy in Sharia, Islamic law.
qoph The nineteenth letter of the Hebrew alphabet.
qorma A type of curry.
QWERTY A standard English keyboard layout.

These words illustrate the diverse linguistic influences on the English lexicon. While they might be less common in everyday conversation, they are recognized and documented. For a more comprehensive list and further details, you can refer to resources like the List of English words containing Q not followed by U.