2 syllables: air, line. Stress on air.
ER-leyen
/ˈɛˌɹlaɪn/
airline is pronounced ER-leyen (/ˈɛˌɹlaɪn/). It has two syllables (air-line), with the stress on "air". Airline refers to a company or organization that provides scheduled air transport services for passengers or cargo. The word combines air with line, signaling the service route or network of flights operated by an airline. In use, it typically appears as a compound noun describing a business in the aviation industry or a specific carrier’s service.
Airline refers to a company or organization that provides scheduled air transport services for passengers or cargo. The word combines air with line, signaling the service route or network of flights operated by an airline. In use, it typically appears as a compound noun describing a business in the aviation industry or a specific carrier’s service.
- - You may under-articulate the second syllable, making it sound like 'airline' with a weak /laɪn/. Solution: deliberately hold /laɪn/ and enunciate the /l/ and /aɪ/ before /n/. - - You might merge the /r/ into the preceding vowel in some UK varieties, producing a less distinct /r/; practice with a light /ɹ/ or ensure non-rhotic clarity depending on your target accent. - - You could flatten the diphthong /aɪ/ into a pure /i:/, shortening the second vowel. Correction: sustain the diphthong to the end of the nucleus. - - You may speed through the word, creating a rushed boundary between /ˈer/ and /laɪn/. Tip: pause ever so slightly between syllables to preserve contrast.
"I booked a flight with a major airline to Tokyo."
"The airline announced new routes for the summer season."
"She works as a marketing analyst for an international airline."
Pronounce as two syllables: AIR-LINE. IPA: US/UK/AU: ˈer.laɪn. First syllable has a reduced or clear 'er' vowel depending on speaker; stress is on the first syllable. Lip rounding is minimal; the /r/ is rhotic in US, non-rhotic in some UK varieties when not followed by a vowel, but in most standard UK pronunciation you’ll still hear the /r/ in careful speech. The second syllable contains /laɪn/ with a long I vowel like “line.” Try a clean separation: AIR (as in ‘air’) + LINE (as in ‘line’). Audio references: [Pronounce or Forvo] for speaker variation.
Common errors: 1) Reducing the second syllable too much so it sounds like ‘air-line’ with a weaker I sound; 2) Merging the consonants to a vague /l/ or /r/ blend; 3) Dropping the /r/ in non-rhotic accents before a vowel in careful speech. Correction: keep a crisp /laɪn/ on the second syllable, articulate the /r/ clearly (US) or ensure the /r/ is not suppressing in careful UK speech; practice by slowing to 60–70% speed and enunciating /l/ and /aɪ/ distinctly before /n/.
US: rhotic /r/ is pronounced; first syllable /er/ sounds like “air” with r-coloring; UK: non-rhotic in some contexts; /r/ may be silent unless followed by a vowel; /ˈeə.laɪn/ or /ˈeə.laɪn/ with a clearer hiatus between vowels; AU: similar to UK but often with a flatter /eə/ and a sharper /ɪ/ in /laɪn/. Emphasis remains on the first syllable. Overall, vowel quality and rhoticity vary; keep /laɪn/ stable across accents.
Airline challenges include the steady /ˈer/ vs /ˈeə/ quality in the first syllable and the diphthong /aɪ/ in the second syllable, which can threaten timing and clarity between syllables. The sequence /r/ (or lack thereof in non-rhotic accents) followed by /l/ can cause consonant blending. Additionally, faster speech may blur the boundary between /er/ and /laɪn/. Focus on maintaining a clear Syllable boundary and precise articulation of /r/ or lack thereof.
Airline pronunciation often involves clarity around the /r/ in American English vs non-rhotic tendencies in some UK speech. A practical tip: after the first syllable, ensure a slight pause before /laɪn/ so the /l/ and /aɪ/ are crisp; this reduces the risk of swallowing the boundary. IPA reminder: ˈer.laɪn, with /ɹ/ realized before the vowel in rhotic dialects and a clearer /l/ onset for the second syllable.
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- US: emphasize rhotic /ɹ/ and the diphthong /aɪ/ in /laɪn/. Mouth: slightly rounded lips for /ɹ/ preceding the vowel, then relax for /laɪn/. - UK: may be non-rhotic; the /r/ is less audible; ensure the /l/ is clear and the /aɪ/ remains a bright diphthong. - AU: rhotic-like realization but with less vowel reduction; ensure /ˈeə/ in first syllable stays stable; keep /laɪn/ as a clear diphthong. IPA: US /ˈɝˌlaɪn/ or /ˈer.laɪn/, UK /ˈeəˌlaɪn/, AU /ˈeəˌlaɪn/.
Airline is a compound noun formed in English from air, meaning the atmosphere or the medium for flight, and line, suggesting a route or network. The sense evolved in the early 20th century as commercial air travel developed. The term likely consolidated from phrases like air line or air-line route, used to describe a defined path of aircraft operations. First attested uses appear in the 1910s–1920s, aligning with the infancy of commercial aviation when operators began advertising fixed routes and schedules. The word emphasizes the connectivity of air travel—air as the medium and line as the continuous path carriers use. Over time, airline became the standard term for corporations that operate aircraft and the services they provide, distinct from
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Help others use "airline" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "airline" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "airline" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "airline"
-ine sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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