3 syllables: A, gen, da. Stress on gen.
uh-JEN-duh
/əˈdʒɛndə/
Agenda is pronounced uh-JEN-duh (/əˈdʒɛndə/). It has three syllables (A-gen-da), with the stress on "gen". Agenda refers to a plan or list of items to be discussed or acted upon, often used in meetings or schedules. It implies a structured outline guiding discussion and time management. In everyday use, it can also mean a personal or organizational itinerary or set of intentions. It’s a formal term that centers on planned topics and priorities.
nounAgenda refers to a plan or list of items to be discussed or acted upon, often used in meetings or schedules. It implies a structured outline guiding discussion and time management. In everyday use, it can also mean a personal or organizational itinerary or set of intentions. It’s a formal term that centers on planned topics and priorities.
How to Pronounce Agenda
"We reviewed the agenda before the meeting to ensure we covered all key points."
"Her agenda included saving time, delegating tasks, and setting clear deadlines."
"The political group accused him of having a hidden, private agenda."
Pronounce as a-ˈjen-də, with primary stress on the second syllable. In IPA: US/UK/AU: ˈædʒən.də. Start with the short a as in cat, then the j sound /dʒ/ as in jam, followed by the schwa /ə/ in the second syllable and a lightly pronounced final /də/ or /dɚ/ in rapid speech. You’ll hear the emphasis on the middle syllable, so give that part extra duration. If you slow it down, say a-JEN-duh; in fast talk, it becomes uh-JEN-duh.”,
Common mistakes include misplacing the stress, pronouncing /dʒ/ as a simple /j/ or /z/ (e.g., /ædˈzɛn.də/ or /ædˈdʒɛn.də/ too strong), and dropping the final syllable or reducing the second syllable too aggressively. To correct: keep primary stress on the second syllable (æ-dʒən-da) and ensure the /dʒ/ blends cleanly from /æ/ into /dʒ/ without a separate 'j' vowel. End with a light /ə/ or /ɚ/ depending on accent, and avoid tensing the jaw on the final syllable.”
In US, UK, and AU, /æ/ in the first syllable remains near the short a as in cat. The middle /dʒ/ is consistent as /dʒ/ in all. The main differences are rhoticity and final vowel realization: US often has a rhotic ending with a clear /ɚ/ or /ə/ in casual speech, while UK/AU may have a reduced final /ə/ with less pronounced r-coloring (especially non-rhotic UK). Overall, you’ll hear a slightly longer middle syllable in US and AU; UK tends toward a flatter, more clipped final syllable.”,
The difficulty often lies in the two-syllable rhythm and the /dʒ/ cluster between /æ/ and /ən/. The blend of /æ/ to /dʒ/ to /ən/ can trap the tongue if not released smoothly. Additionally, the final unstressed /ə/ can be reduced or elided in fast speech, causing a compressed ending. Focusing on maintaining the /dʒ/ as a distinct affricate and keeping the secondary stress even, then finishing with a light /ə/ helps prevent slurring.”
A practical tip is to practice the sequence “a-dʒən-duh” aloud in a single breath while keeping the middle syllable slightly longer and the final /ə/ barely audible. Visualize the mouth as starting with a short 'a', then a quick dʒ sound, a light nasal-like /ən/ before finishing with a soft /duh/. This helps preserve the correct two-syllable rhythm and prevents rushing the ending.
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Agenda comes from Latin agenda, meaning “things to be done,” the neuter plural of the present passive participle of agere, meaning “to do, drive, act.” The Latin noun agenda originated in formal contexts to describe acts or matters requiring attention. The word entered English via Medieval Latin and Old French, reinforcing its association with lists of items to be discussed or performed, especially in official or administrative settings. In English, agenda has retained its sense of a planned sequence of topics for discussion or action. The pronunciation guidance with a soft g (like /dʒ/) reflects the standard Classical/Latin-influenced spelling. First known use in English traces to the 17th century as a term used in legal and clerical contexts to denote items for consideration; over time it broadened to business meetings, conferences, and everyday scheduling. The term often collocates with phrases like “meeting agenda,” “agenda items,” and “agenda setting,” illustrating its formal and procedural utility across professional domains.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Agenda" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "Agenda"
-nda sounds
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