Victuals: meaning, pronunciation and examples
Victuals noun. Food and provisions (an old-fashioned or jokey word).
How to say it
VIT-ulz/ˈvɪt(ə)lz/
2 syllables, stressed on the first (VIT).
Victuals in a sentence
The innkeeper promised hot victuals and a dry bed.
We packed our victuals into the canoe and pushed off.
Similar and opposite
Similar:
- provisions
- food
- fare
- rations
Usage note
Said “vittles”: the c was put back to look like the Latin, but never spoken.
Where victuals comes from
From Latin victualia, provisions, from victus, food.
Test yourself
Which word fills the gap?
We packed our _____ into the canoe and pushed off.
- ullage
- victuals
- crapulence
Show the answer
victuals: We packed our victuals into the canoe and pushed off.