2 syllables: Al, though. Stress on though.
awl-THOH
/ˌɔˈlðoʊ/
Although is pronounced awl-THOH (/ˌɔˈlðoʊ/). It has two syllables (Al-though), with the stress on "though". Although is a subordinating conjunction meaning 'despite the fact that.' It introduces a contrasting clause and often appears at the start of the second clause, but can also follow a main clause in casual speech. It signals concession and is common in both formal and informal writing and speaking. (2–4 sentences, 50–80 words).
conjunctionAlthough is a subordinating conjunction meaning 'despite the fact that.' It introduces a contrasting clause and often appears at the start of the second clause, but can also follow a main clause in casual speech. It signals concession and is common in both formal and informal writing and speaking. (2–4 sentences, 50–80 words)
How to Pronounce Although
"Although it was raining, we went hiking."
"He stayed calm, although he was nervous inside."
"You can come with us, although you’ll need to arrive early."
IPA US: /ɔːlˈðoʊ/. Focus on a long /ɔː/ in the first syllable, then a clear voiced th /ð/ followed by a long /oʊ/ in unstressed position; the stress falls on the second syllable: al-THO. The mouth starts with a rounded open-mid back vowel, then the tongue closes for /ð/; finish with a tense /oʊ/ diphthong. For best results, say ‘awl’ + ‘thoh’ with a stopping of breath after the /d/; try to keep connected speech with minimal pause between syllables.
Two common errors: (1) Under-emphasizing the /ð/ sound, replacing with /d/ or /z/ -> you’ll hear ‘ol-doe’ instead of ‘ol-tho.’ Correction: place the tongue between the teeth and voice the /ð/ clearly. (2) Slurring the /oʊ/ into a short /o/ sound or misplacing stress on the first syllable. Correction: keep primary stress on the second syllable /ðoʊ/, ensuring the /oʊ/ is a crisp diphthong.
US tends to have a clearer /ɔː/ in the first syllable and a rounded /oʊ/; UK often shows a closer /ɔːlˈðəʊ/ with a lighter second vowel and a slightly shorter /ɔː/; Australian may reduce to a more centralized /ɔːlˈðəʊ/ with a softer /ðəʊ/ and broader vowel length. The rhoticity doesn’t affect this word much, but the second vowel can be a touch more centralized in AU.
The difficulty centers on the interdental /ð/ consonant and the two adjacent syllables with fast, linked speech. The /ɔː/ in the first syllable can be reduced in casual speech, and the /oʊ/ or /əʊ/ at the end may be shortened in rapid talk. Keeping the /ð/ crisp and ensuring the second syllable retains a full diphthong helps avoid a misheard form like ‘al-tho’ or ‘how’d-tho.’
No. Although contains all pronounced letters: /ɔːl/ in the first syllable, /ð/ as the voiced dental fricative in the second, and /oʊ/ or /əʊ/ as the final diphthong. The challenge is not silence but accurate articulation and timing of the interdental /ð/ plus maintaining the second syllable’s stress and vowel duration.
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Although comes from Middle English altho, variants of a contraction combining all with the th. It traces to the Old English word all þēah, where all means entirely and þēah is related to though, connoting concession. The modern spelling and pronunciation settled through the Early Modern English period, with the rising trend of using as a subordinating conjunction in the 16th–18th centuries. The word’s functional scope broadened beyond simple contrast to include concessive clauses in formal and informal discourse. First known uses appear in 14th–15th century texts, but the compact form ‘although’ became overwhelmingly standard by the 17th century. Over time, its pronunciation evolved towards a reduced vowel in many dialects and a light, even stress-timed rhythm in connected speech. The historical shift reflects broader changes in English where function words morph into clausal connectors that manage contrast without heavy emphasis.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Although" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Although" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Although"
-ugh sounds
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