2 syllables: Ac, cede. Stress on cede.
ak-SEED
/æˈksid/
Accede is pronounced ak-SEED (/æˈksid/). It has two syllables (Ac-cede), with the stress on "cede". Accede is a verb meaning to assent or agree to a request or demand, or to assume an office or position. It is often used in formal or official contexts, such as governments or organizations, when someone accepts a role or grant. The term implies consent or acceptance, sometimes after opposition, and can carry a sense of formal, ceremonial entrance into a position.
verbAccede is a verb meaning to assent or agree to a request or demand, or to assume an office or position. It is often used in formal or official contexts, such as governments or organizations, when someone accepts a role or grant. The term implies consent or acceptance, sometimes after opposition, and can carry a sense of formal, ceremonial entrance into a position.
- Misplacing the stress: You might say ac-Ce-de instead of ac-CEDE. Fix: put primary stress on the second syllable and keep the /siː/ long. - Vowel length confusion: Don’t shorten the /iː/ to /ɪ/. Use /siː/ for the second syllable. Practice with overlap: write ‘acc-eede’ to remind the long vowel. - Final consonant issue: Don’t voice the final /d/ too softly or dilute it into a flapped or alveolar stop. Ensure a crisp /d/ release. - Consonant linking: In connected speech, avoid adding extra consonants between syllables; keep the boundary clear to avoid mispronouncing as acc-cede with a weak middle.
How to Pronounce Accede
"The board will accede to the request after reviewing the financial implications."
"After the resignation, she acceded to the chairmanship of the committee."
"The king acceded to the throne in 1503, marking a new era for the realm."
Pronounce it as /əkˈsiːd/ in US and UK standards, with the primary stress on the second syllable. Start with a schwa, then an 's' sound and a long 'ee' vowel, ending with a crisp 'd'. For example: uh-KSEED. Practicing slowly helps place the stress on the 'CEDE' portion and keeps the final 'd' precise. Audio resources: [Pronounce], Cambridge Dictionary audio, or Forvo entry for 'accede' can be useful references.
Common errors include misplacing stress on the first syllable (ac-cede instead of ac-Ce-de), pronouncing the vowel as a short 'ee' (ă-cede) instead of a long 'ee' (ˈsiːd), and failing to produce a clean final 'd' (making it a voiced 't' or a murmur). Correcting involves maintaining a strong second-syllable vowel and ensuring a crisp final consonant: /əkˈsiːd/ with a clear /d/. Practice with minimal pairs to stabilize vowel length and final consonant articulation.
US and UK share /əkˈsiːd/ with stressed second syllable, but rhoticity can affect preceding schwa: US tends to have a slightly more rhotic, with the /ə/ sound influenced by surrounding rhotic vowels, while UK RP is non-rhotic, keeping the /ə/ neutral before the /k/. Australian tends toward a broader, slightly more centralized initial vowel and a clear /ˈsiːd/ in the second syllable, but still /əkˈsiːd/. Overall, the core /ˈsiːd/ vowel and final /d/ are consistent across regions.
The difficulty lies in the two-part structure: the initial unstressed schwa and the stressed /ˈsiːd/ sequence. Many learners misplace stress on the first syllable or shorten the long /iː/ to /ɪ/. Also, the final /d/ can be devoiced at the end of utterances or blend with surrounding consonants. Focusing on a clear, sustained /siː/ and a crisp /d/ helps. IPA reminder: /əˈsiːd/ or /əkˈsiːd/.
A key nuance is the word’s formal, almost ceremonial tone, which means slight emphasis on ‘CEDE’ rather than an even split between syllables. In rapid speech or connected speech, you may hear a small reduction in the first syllable, but the second syllable must retain the long /iː/ and the final /d/. Practically, you’ll want /əˈsiːd/ in many phrases, but remember the official form is /əkˈsiːd/ depending on preceding syllables.
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- US: More rhotic influence may subtly tint the /ə/ toward /ɚ/ before the /k/, but keep the /ˈsiːd/ intact. - UK: Non-rhotic approach keeps the /ə/ less colored; place primary emphasis on /siːd/, with a crisp /d/. - AU: Similar to US/UK but with broader vowel qualities; the /ə/ can be more centralized and the /ˈsiːd/ remains pronounced. IPA anchors: /əˈsiːd/ or /əkˈsiːd/. - Key vowels: ensure you sustain the long /iː/ in the second syllable and avoid turning it into /i/ or /ɪ/. - Final consonant: light touch, quick release, avoid voicing after the /d/.
Accede comes from the Latin accēdere, meaning 'to approach, go toward, assent to.' The prefix ad- means 'toward,' and cēdere means 'to go, yield, or withdraw.' The term entered English via Old French as aceder and later accede. In Latin, accēdere was used in legal and ceremonial contexts to indicate approaching a throne, a council, or a decision, thereby implying both approach and acceptance. The sense broadened slightly in English to mean granting consent or stepping into a higher position. First attested in English in the 15th century, accede evolved from legal and political language into everyday formal use, retaining its nuance of voluntary, official entrance or agreement rather than casual assent. Throughout its history, accede has often appeared in phrases about succession, governance, or formal approval, reinforcing its stature as a term of ceremonial or official acceptance rather than mere agreement. The word’s Latin roots also contrast with other synonyms like assent and approve, where accede emphasizes the act of rising to a role or request, frequently under conditions or formal protocols.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Accede" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Accede" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Accede"
-eed sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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