4 syllables: A, do, ra, tion. Stress on ra.
ad-ur-AY-shuhn
/ˌædɚˈeɪʃən/
Adoration is pronounced ad-ur-AY-shuhn (/ˌædɚˈeɪʃən/). It has four syllables (A-do-ra-tion), with the stress on "ra". Adoration is a feeling or expression of deep love, warmth, and respect toward someone or something. It can denote reverent devotion or intense fondness, often expressed through affection, praise, or worship. As a noun, it commonly appears in contexts of religious devotion or strong admiration, and it can also describe a gesture or act of cherishing someone highly.
nounAdoration is a feeling or expression of deep love, warmth, and respect toward someone or something. It can denote reverent devotion or intense fondness, often expressed through affection, praise, or worship. As a noun, it commonly appears in contexts of religious devotion or strong admiration, and it can also describe a gesture or act of cherishing someone highly.
"Her adoration for her grandmother was evident in the gentle care she showed daily."
"The crowd's adoration of the singer was unmistakable as fans sang along."
"In many cultures, adoration is expressed through ritual acts and songs."
Say /ˌæd.əˈreɪ.ʃən/. The primary stress is on the second-to-last syllable, 'reɪ,' and the final syllable sounds like 'shun' without the 't'. Start with a light schwa on the first syllable, then glide into 'ray' for the middle, and finish with 'shun.' Audio references include standard dictionaries or pronunciation sites for listening practice.
Common errors: stressing the wrong syllable (e.g., a-DO-ra-tion), mispronouncing the middle vowel as a long 'ee' or 'i' instead of the /eɪ/ diphthong, and pronouncing the final '-tion' as 'shun' with a strong 't'. Correction: place primary stress on 'reɪ' (the second syllable before the ending) and ensure the middle vowel is /eɪ/, while the ending remains /ʃən/ with a light, barely audible 't' sound before it.
In US/UK/AU, the /æ/ in the first syllable can be similar, but rhoticity affects the r-coloring in connected speech. UK tends to be less rhotic; AU often has a clearer, more clipped /əˈreɪ.ʃən/. The key differences lie in vowel quality of /æ/ and the strength of the /r/ in the unstressed positions. Overall, the /ˌæd.əˈreɪ.ʃən/ pattern remains, with subtle vowel shifts and intonation.
It challenges: keeping the primary stress on the /reɪ/ syllable, producing the /ə/ schwa in the first syllable, and articulating the /ˈreɪ.ʃən/ sequence smoothly before /ən/. The combination of a three-syllable word with a mid-stressed diphthong can lead to misplacing stress or stiffening the middle vowel. Focus on a natural, quick transition from /ə/ to /ˈreɪ/ to /ʃən/.
A unique aspect is the unstressed first syllable and the pronounced diphthong in the second syllable. The tongue moves from a relaxed schwa towards a mid-front position for /eɪ/ before the /-rɑː/ portion, with a soft, nearly silent 't' before the final /ʃən/. Practicing the sequence a-DOR-ation, with emphasis on the /ˈreɪ/ portion, helps anchor the rhythm.
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US: rhotic influence in connected speech; UK: non-rhotic; AU: transitional rhotic tendencies with stronger vowel clarity. • Vowel shifts: US /æ/ can be lowered slightly; UK /æ/ is more open; AU often has a more centralized /ə/ in the first syllable. • Consonants: US often links /d/ to following vowel; UK may show clearer vowel length differences. IPA references: /ˌæd.əˈreɪ.ʃən/.
Adoration comes from the Latin adorationem, from adorare, meaning to worship or to kiss toward. The prefix ad- implies toward, and the root orare means to speak or pray. In Late Latin it referred to reverence and worship, frequently of a deity. The term passed into Old French as adoration and into English by the 14th century, maintaining its religious sense but broadening to express heartfelt love or admiration for people and things. Over time, adoration has acquired secular nuance, often used in poetic or affectionate language beyond strict liturgical contexts. First known uses appear in religious texts and moral literature of the medieval and early modern periods, evolving into common usage in modern English to denote profound affection, admiration, or veneration in both personal and public spheres.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Adoration" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "Adoration"
-ion sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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