uh-KLAYMD
/əˈkleɪmd/
acclaimed is pronounced uh-KLAYMD (/əˈkleɪmd/). Acclaimed describes something or someone widely praised and celebrated for merit or achievement. It signals formal recognition by critics, audiences, or institutions, often in the context of arts, literature, or performance. The word carries a tone of high regard and reputable merit, and it is commonly used to frame accolades and positive reception. 2-4 sentences, 50-80 words max.
Acclaimed describes something or someone widely praised and celebrated for merit or achievement. It signals formal recognition by critics, audiences, or institutions, often in the context of arts, literature, or performance. The word carries a tone of high regard and reputable merit, and it is commonly used to frame accolades and positive reception. 2-4 sentences, 50-80 words max.
"The novel received acclaimed reviews from major newspapers."
"She gave an acclaimed performance that left the audience spellbound."
"The festival featured an acclaimed lineup of international chefs."
You say it as ə-CLAIMD with primary stress on the second syllable. IPA US/UK/AU: /əˈkleɪmd/. The first syllable is a schwa, the second contains the diphthong /eɪ/ as in 'bank,' then a final /md/ cluster. Focus on crisp /d/ release at the end and avoid adding an extra syllable. Listen for a smooth, flowing transition from /ə/ to /ˈkleɪmd/ in connected speech.
Common errors: (1) pronouncing as 'ak-claimed' with hard 'k' onset—keep the /ə/ before the /ˈkleɪmd/. (2) Dropping the final /d/ or making it a /t/ – ensure a clear /d/ release. (3) Misplacing stress as /ˌækˈleɪmd/ or /əˈkleɪməd/—stress must be on the second syllable: /əˈkleɪmd/. Take time to rehearse the transition from /ə/ to /ˈkleɪmd/ with a clean /d/.
In US/UK/AU, the main variation is the vowel quality in /eɪ/ and the rhoticity of the /r/ following the schwa in connected speech. All three share /əˈkleɪmd/ for careful speech, but in rapid speech, Americans may reduce the /ə/ more and carry the /r/ in nearby contexts, while UK and AU speakers may maintain a non-rhotic tendency in some informal styles, subtly affecting preceding vowels. Overall core is /əˈkleɪmd/ with minor vowel length differences.
Two tricky aspects: (1) the initial schwa before the stressed syllable can be minimized in fast speech, making the word sound like ˈkleɪmd unless you consciously uphold /ə/. (2) The /md/ cluster at the end can blur into an /m/ or /n/ in rapid speech. Practice keeping a clear /m/ closure and a final /d/ release, with the secondary stress absent. IPA cues help: /əˈkleɪmd/.
Why does 'acclaimed' not sound like it ends with a softer 'd' in fast speech? Because the final consonant is a voiced alveolar stop /d/ that often phones with a longer closure when the syllable ends, especially after a tense vowel /eɪ/. In natural speech, you’ll produce a crisp /d/; avoid devoicing or glottal stop before the /d/. IPA reminder: /əˈkleɪmd/.
🗣️ Voice search tip: These questions are optimized for voice search. Try asking your voice assistant any of these questions about "acclaimed"!
US: rhotic tendency; UK: non-rhotic in many voices; AU: generally non-rhotic but with clear vowel quality. Vowel: /əˈkleɪmd/; note the /ə/ reduction in rapid speech; /ˈkleɪ/ has a strong glide from /eɪ/. Consonants: ensure /k/ onset is clean, /l/ is light and alveolar, /m/ nasal is balanced with /d/ release. IPA references: US /əˈkleɪmd/, UK /əˈkleɪmd/, AU /əˈkleɪmd/.
Acclaimed comes from Middle English acclaimed, from Old French acclaimer, based on Latin acclāmāre ‘to cry out in approval, praise publicly,’ from ac- ‘toward’ + clamāre ‘to cry out.’ The form acquired the sense of public praise in the sense of being officially hailed or celebrated. The term appears in English literature by the 17th century, but its modern sense of well-regarded reception in arts and culture solidified in the 18th–19th centuries as critics and public institutions began to publish formal commendations. Over time, accomplished or acclaimed came to describe not just praise, but the widespread, authoritative endorsement by critics or institutions, often linked to high-quality output and notable merit. First known use is documented in early modern English, with attestations in translated and original texts that reflect the growing importance of critical reception in evaluating artistic and scholarly work.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "acclaimed" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "acclaimed" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "acclaimed" and show contrast in usage.
📚 Vocabulary tip: Learning synonyms and antonyms helps you understand nuanced differences in meaning and improves your word choice in speaking and writing.
Words that rhyme with "acclaimed"
-med sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
🎵 Rhyme tip: Practicing with rhyming words helps you master similar sound patterns and improves your overall pronunciation accuracy.
