Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

401(k)

/fɔɹ.oʊ̯.wʌn.keɪ̯/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: 3.23 in modern English

Syllables: 401(k)
IPA: /fɔɹ.oʊ̯.wʌn.keɪ̯/

5

Scrabble Score

1

Letters

1

Syllables

1

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

A tax-qualified, defined-contribution pension account.

American usage

Example Sentences

"Entrepreneurs have responded enthusiastically: Solo 401(k) assets now stand at $2.5 billion, and could hit $90 billion by 2012. It's easy to see why the plans are becoming so popular. As with ordinary 401(k)s, as well as SEP-IRAs designed for the self-employed, individual 401(k)s allow you to invest a portion of your income on a pretax basis—and your contributions grow tax-deferred."
"John Fuchs was checking his 401(k) account online one afternoon when he saw something that seemed amiss."
"Contribute 10 percent of your salary each month to your 401(k), and you're good. Start at age 25 making $50,000 a year, and earn a 3 percent annual raise until retirement."

Etymology

From section 401(k) of the US Internal Revenue Code, which provides for such accounts.

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /fɔɹ.oʊ̯.wʌn.keɪ̯/

Usage

American usage

Inflected Forms

401(k)s (plural) 401k (alternative, nonstandard)

Questions

How do you pronounce 401(k)?: The recorded pronunciation is /fɔɹ.oʊ̯.wʌn.keɪ̯/.
What does 401(k) mean?: A tax-qualified, defined-contribution pension account.
Where does 401(k) come from?: From section 401(k) of the US Internal Revenue Code, which provides for such accounts.

How to pronounce 401(k)

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Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/fɔɹ.oʊ̯.wʌn.keɪ̯/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
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