Pronunciation: [plˈɛd͡ʒd] (IPA) 
The word "pledged" is spelled with a silent "d" at the end, even though it is pronounced as if there is a "d" sound. In IPA phonetic transcription, this word would be written as /plɛdʒd/. The "d" sound in the middle of the word is pronounced as usual, but the final "d" is silent. This is a common feature in English spelling - several words have silent letters that are not pronounced, which can be confusing for language learners.
Pledged is the past tense and past participle of the verb "pledge." It is an action taken to commit, promise, or bind oneself to a particular course of action, belief, or cause. When someone pledges, they make a solemn or formal vow, usually based on their personal honor, integrity, or dedication, to fulfill a certain obligation.
In a general sense, "pledged" typically refers to the act of making a commitment or promise, often with a strong sense of dedication or determination. For instance, an individual may pledge their loyalty to a political party, pledge their support to a charitable organization, or pledge their commitment to a particular goal or objective. In these cases, pledging serves as both a declaration of intent and an assurance of one's steadfastness in upholding the pledge.
Additionally, "pledged" can be used in the context of financial transactions. This refers specifically to the act of offering or depositing something valuable as collateral or security, such as assets or property, to obtain a loan or fulfill a contractual obligation. For instance, a person may pledge their home as collateral while applying for a mortgage loan or pledge their car as security when seeking a loan from a bank.
Overall, "pledged" denotes a sincere commitment, promise, or obligation undertaken by an individual, often accompanied by the willingness to fulfill the terms or requirements associated with the pledge.
Deposited as a security; solemnly promised.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "pledged" is derived from the Old French term "plege" which was used in the 13th century. It came from the earlier Latin word "plicare" meaning "to fold" or "to weave". Originally, "pledged" referred to a system in which one person became a surety or guarantor for another person, and it was linked to the sense of "folding" or "joining" one's self to another person's obligation or debt. Over time, the word developed to encompass the broader concept of making a solemn promise, vow, or commitment.
