5 syllables: ac, cel, er, a, tors. Stress on cel.
ak-SEL-ur-ay-turz
/æˈksɛlɚˌeɪtɚz/
accelerators is pronounced ak-SEL-ur-ay-turz (/æˈksɛlɚˌeɪtɚz/). It has five syllables (ac-cel-er-a-tors), with the stress on "cel". Accelerators are devices or mechanisms that increase speed or rate of progress in a system. In science and industry, they are components that boost performance, energy, or reaction rates. The term also metaphorically describes factors that hasten outcomes in processes, projects, or markets.
Accelerators are devices or mechanisms that increase speed or rate of progress in a system. In science and industry, they are components that boost performance, energy, or reaction rates. The term also metaphorically describes factors that hasten outcomes in processes, projects, or markets.
- You might say /ækˈsɛl.əˌreɪ.tɚz/ with a heavy, syllabic /ɚ/ at the end; instead, aim for /tərz/ or /təz/ in plural. - Another pitfall is flapping the /t/ into a quick /d/ sound in American casual speech: keep /t/ clearly enunciated before the final /ərz/. - Some learners reduce /ˈreɪ/ to /riː/ in the last two syllables, flattening the rhythm; maintain the distinct /reɪ/ syllable. - Failure to maintain the secondary stress on the /ˈsɛl/ part can lead to flat pronunciation; practice the sequence ac-CEL-er-a-tors slowly to stabilize the rhythm.
"The particle accelerator accelerated the collider's experiments."
"Government policy acted as accelerators for renewable energy adoption."
"In calculus, a velocity time graph can show accelerators in motion."
Pronounce as /ækˈsɛl.əˌreɪ.tərz/ in US English and /əkˈsel.əˌreɪ.təz/ in UK/variable dialects. The primary stress lands on the second syllable in many contexts: ac-CEL-erators. Start with a short, crisp /æ/ in the first syllable, then a clear /ˈsɛl/ or /ˈsel/ cluster, followed by a light /ə/ vowel, then /ˈreɪ/ and a final /tərz/ (US) or /təz/ (UK). Visualize the mouth opening slightly wider on /æ/ and /ɛ/, with the tongue rising to produce /s/ quickly. Listen for the final z sound in plural forms.
Common slips include merging adjacent syllables into /ɑː/. e.g., saying /ækˈsɛləˌreɪ.tɚ/ with a heavy /ɚ/ instead of /ərz/ at the end, and misplacing the stress as ac-SEL-er-ators. Another trap is pronouncing /ˈæksəlreɪt/ without the full /ˌreɪ/ syllable. Correct by isolating the final /z/ or /əz/ with a light Sich- sound and keeping the /reɪ/ stressed segment distinct. Practice slow repeats focusing on the proper /æ/ vs /ɛ/ in the first two vowels.
In US English, expect /ækˈsɛl.əˌreɪ.tərz/ with rhoticity, final /z/ usually voiced. UK English often reduces the final /z/ to /z/ or /t/ in rapid speech, sometimes /-əz/; stress patterns can slide slightly with flapping in connected speech. Australian tends toward /əˈsɛl.əˌreɪ.təz/ or /əkˈsel.əˌreɪ.təz/, with a broader vowel in the first syllable and less rhoticity in some speakers. Always listen for how the final syllable attaches to the following word and whether the speaker uses a linking /z/ or /ɪz/.
Two main challenges: 1) the cluster /ˈsɛl.ə/ middle with a quick transition from /s/ to /l/, and 2) the final stressed sequence /ˌreɪ.tərz/ which requires accurate realization of the /r/ (US) and the /t/ followed by a fleet /ər/ or /əz/ ending. The shifting stress (secondary near the suffix) can cause a stumble if you try to keep the /ˈ/ at the wrong beat. Practice isolating the middle syllable and smoothing /ˌreɪ.tər/ as a single melodic unit.
There are no silent letters in the common pronunciation of accelerators. Each letter participates in a sound: the initial /æ/ or /ə/ vowel, the /k/ audible, the /s/ starting the 'cell' cluster, the /l/ following, the /eɪ/ diphthong, and the plural /z/ ending in typical contexts. In rapid speech, some speakers reduce vowels slightly, but you should still hear all phonemic elements.
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- US: rhotic /ɹ/ is strong; ensure /r/ before the final /tərz/. - UK: non-rhotic tendency; the /r/ in coda position is often silent unless linking; the /ˈsel/ may sound crisper. - AU: more centralized vowels, sometimes less pronounced /ɹ/; keep the /reɪ/ as a clear diphthong. - Vowel details: /æ/ or /ə/ in first syllable varies by accent; use /æ/ in careful speech but allow a mid-central /ə/ in casual. - IPA references provided for precise guidance; aim for consistent /ˈsɛl/ vs /ˈsel/ depending on the speaker.
Accelerator comes from the Latin ac- (toward) + celerare (to hasten), from celer (swift). The form entered English in the 16th-17th centuries with meanings tied to hastening or speeding up. By the 19th century, in mechanical and scientific contexts, accelerators described devices that increase speed, such as steam engines and later electrical systems. In modern usage, the term spans physics (particle accelerators), finance (growth accelerators), and business (incubator-style accelerators that speed development). The word’s core idea of increasing velocity remains consistent, though domains vary from literal physical speed to metaphorical acceleration of progress. First known use appears in early technical writings about mechanisms that hasten motion, evolving through industrial revolution jargon into contemporary multidisciplinary vocabulary.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "accelerators" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "accelerators" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "accelerators"
-ors sounds
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