February
noun
ˈfe-brə-
How do you pronounce February?: Usage Guide
Dissimilation may occur when a word contains two identical or closely related sounds, resulting in the change or loss of one of them. This happens regularly in February, which is more often pronounced \ˈfe-b(y)ə-ˌwer-ē\ than \ˈfe-brə-ˌwer-ē\, though all of these variants are in frequent use and widely accepted. The \y\ heard from many speakers is not an intrusion but rather a common pronunciation of the vowel u after a consonant, as in January and annual.
Examples of February in a Sentence
Summer Lin, Los Angeles Times, 28 May 2024
And in February, attendees of a glitzy legal conference came forward with reports of harassment and assault.
—Jaclyn Diaz, NPR, 28 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for February 
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Cite this Entry
“February.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/February. Accessed 31 May. 2024.
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February
noun
ˈfeb-rə-
Old English Februarius "February," from Latin Februarius "February," literally, "of Februa," from Februa "feast of cleansing"
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