Headword in Irish (Ceannfhocal): Meaning & Pronunciation

Q: What is the Irish for headword?

The Irish for headword is ceannfhocal (pronounced “KYAWN-ok-ul”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is ceannfhocail. Depending on context it can also mean headline.

Q: What is the plural of headword in Irish?

The plural of ceannfhocal is ceannfhocail; with the article, na ceannfhocail means “the headwords”. The genitive plural is ceannfhocal, as in liosta na gceannfhocal (the list of headwords).

Q: Does ceannfhocal have more than one meaning?

Yes. Ceannfhocal can mean headword or headline, depending on context; the first is the most common.

How to say “headword” in Irish

Irish:: ceannfhocal
English:: headword, headline
Word type:: noun
Gender:: masculine, first declension
Pronunciation:: “KYAWN-ok-ul” /ˈcaun̪ˠˌɔkəlˠ/

Various forms

Plural:: ceannfhocail (headwords)
Genitive singular:: ceannfhocail, an cheannfhocail (e.g. litriú an cheannfhocail, the spelling of the headword)
Genitive plural:: ceannfhocal, na gceannfhocal (e.g. liosta na gceannfhocal, the list of headwords)

What does “ceannfhocal” mean?

“Ceannfhocal” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.

headword: The word at the start of a dictionary or glossary entry, under which the entry is listed.Also: entry word, lemma, catchword.

1 other meaning: headline

2headline: A word or short heading printed at the top of a piece of text, such as a title word.Also: heading, title word.

“Ceannfhocal” with the article

The plural of headword in Irish is ceannfhocail. Here is ceannfhocal after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.

an ceannfhocal

the headword

No change after an

na ceannfhocail

the headwords

Plural: no change after na

“Ceannfhocal” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using ceannfhocal, the Irish word for headword.

Cuardaigh an ceannfhocal san fhoclóir.

Look up the headword in the dictionary.

Tá an ceannfhocal i gcló trom.

The headword is in bold type.

Tá níos mó ná fiche míle ceannfhocal san fhoclóir seo.

This dictionary has more than twenty thousand headwords.

Cuireadh na ceannfhocail in ord aibítre.

The headwords were put in alphabetical order.

Tagann an inscne díreach i ndiaidh an cheannfhocail.

The gender comes straight after the headword.

Ní raibh mo cheannfhocal ar an liosta.

My headword was not on the list.

Scríobh sé sainmhíniú do gach ceannfhocal.

He wrote a definition for every headword.

Other nouns in Irish

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Headword in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for headword?

The Irish for headword is ceannfhocal (pronounced “KYAWN-ok-ul”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is ceannfhocail. Depending on context it can also mean headline.

How do you pronounce ceannfhocal in Irish?

Ceannfhocal is said like “KYAWN-ok-ul” (IPA /ˈcaun̪ˠˌɔkəlˠ/).

What is the plural of headword in Irish?

The plural of ceannfhocal is ceannfhocail; with the article, na ceannfhocail means “the headwords”. The genitive plural is ceannfhocal, as in liosta na gceannfhocal (the list of headwords).

Does ceannfhocal have more than one meaning?

Yes. Ceannfhocal can mean headword or headline, depending on context; the first is the most common.

Why does ceannfhocal change to cheannfhocal or gceannfhocal?

Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) ceannfhocal becomes mo cheannfhocal (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár gceannfhocal (eclipsis).

Is 'ceannfhocal' the same as 'ceannteideal'?

No: 'ceannfhocal' is a dictionary headword, while 'ceannteideal' is a heading or headline in a newspaper or document.

Headword in Irish (Ceannfhocal): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage