2 syllables: Al, tar. Stress on Al.
AWL-tur
/ˈɔltɚ/
Altar is pronounced AWL-tur (/ˈɔltɚ/). It has two syllables (Al-tar), with the stress on "Al". Altar is a raised table or flat surface used for offerings, religious ceremonies, or dedication. As a noun, it refers to a sacred or ceremonial table, distinct from a tiny household altar or a public altar stone. In broader use, it can symbolize devotion or a ritualistic focal point in various belief systems.
nounAltar is a raised table or flat surface used for offerings, religious ceremonies, or dedication. As a noun, it refers to a sacred or ceremonial table, distinct from a tiny household altar or a public altar stone. In broader use, it can symbolize devotion or a ritualistic focal point in various belief systems.
"During the ceremony, the priest placed the gifts on the altar."
"She lit a candle before the family’s ancestral altar."
"The architect designed the museum’s altar as a central memorial feature."
You say AL-ter, with the primary stress on the first syllable. In IPA: US /ˈɑːl.tɚ/ or /ˈɔːl.tɚ/, UK /ˈɔːl.tə/; Australian /ˈɒːl.tə/. Start with a broad open back vowel in the first syllable, then a quick, soft r-colored ending in rhotic varieties. If you’re using AmE, the final r is a quick schwa-r; in non-rhotic accents you’ll hear a lighter ‘-ta’ ending. Practice by pausing between syllables to feel the peak on AL- and the lighter -ter at the end.
Two frequent errors are misplacing stress or swapping with ALTER. First, many learners say AL-ter with a tense, tighter second syllable, which makes it sound like ALTER. Second, some forget the /r/ or add an extra vowel: AL-tar or AL-ter with a vowel after t. To correct: keep primary stress on AL-, use a relaxed /ɚ/ or a light /ə/ after the /l/ depending on accent, and ensure the /t/ is crisp but not overemphasized. In rhotic accents you’ll have a brief, controlled rhotic ending.
In General American, it’s /ˈɑːl.tɚ/ with a rhotic final sound; the second syllable ends in a schwa-like /ɚ/. In UK English, /ˈɔːl.tə/ with a non-rhotic ending, sounding like ‘AL-tuh.’ Australian often mirrors British vowels but with a broader, more centralized vowel in the first syllable and a softly reduced second syllable: /ˈɒːl.tə/. The rhythm is similar, but vowel quality and rhoticity vary; avoid pronouncing a full /ɚ/ in non-rhotic accents to keep natural sound.
The challenge lies in distinguishing the two adjacent syllables and choosing the correct vowel in the first syllable, plus the final vowel quality: US tends to add rhotic /ɚ/ while UK/AU favors a schwa or a lighter /ə/. The issue is not the consonants but the vowel color and final r-controlled vowel, plus not merging with ‘alter’ which has a different vowel and rhyme. Focus on keeping AL- strong and the -tar or -ter ending short and clipped depending on accent.
Yes. The common confusion with ‘alter’ makes users search for ‘Altar pronunciation’ to confirm the HR-targeted stress on AL-. Unique to altar is the two-syllable structure with a light final vowel in non-rhotic varieties and a rhotic ending in rhotic accents. This means you’ll often see searches for the US /ˈɑːl.tɚ/ versus the UK /ˈɔːl.tə/. Emphasize the first syllable and practice the final consonant–vowel combination to avoid conflating with alter.
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Altar comes from Old English alhtar, which itself derives from Latin altārium, meaning a sanctuary or place for offerings. The Latin term originates from altar (altaris) or altares in Classical Latin, linked to altus ‘high’ or altāre ‘to exalt.’ Over time, Old English adopted alhtar and later altar to distinguish ceremonial tables from other kinds of tables. The sense broadened through religious and ceremonial contexts, maintaining a core meaning as a raised site for offerings or sacred acts. First known uses appear in medieval religious texts where churches described altars in rites and masses. By the Early Modern English period, altar had become the standard spelling in English, aligning with related terms like altar stone and altar rail in liturgical settings. Today, altar retains its ancient sense of elevation and devotion, often used metaphorically to signify a commitment or sacrifice dedicated to a higher principle or object of worship.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Altar" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Altar" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Altar"
-ter sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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