Amine is a noun referring to any organic or inorganic compound containing an amino group (−NH2) attached to a carbon skeleton. In chemistry, amines act as bases and can be primary, secondary, or tertiary depending on how many carbon groups are bonded to the nitrogen. The term is used across chemistry, biology, and pharmacology to describe ammonia derivatives with similar functional behavior.
- You often mispronounce the second syllable as a short /n/ or a reduced schwa. Make sure the final syllable carries a long /iː/ and ends with an n, not a nasal blend. - Some learners flatten the first vowel to /æ/ too long or too short; aim for a clear /æ/ as in cat, then a distinct /iː/. - Finally, avoid turning it into /ˈeɪmiːn/ by confusing the first vowel; keep it as /ˈæmiːn/ and let the second syllable carry the long i.
- US: keep rhotic-free vowel quality; /ˈæ.miːn/ with light lip rounding. - UK: slightly tenser /æ/ in the first vowel, a more clipped /iː/; avoid post-vocalic r. - Australia: clear /æ/ and a crisp /iː/, with a tendency toward a slightly more centralized starting vowel in some speakers; ensure non-rhotic behavior. Use IPA anchors /ˈæ.miːn/ across all.
"The amine was protonated under acidic conditions to form the ammonium salt."
"Her research focused on selective amine synthesis for pharmaceutical drugs."
"Amines play a key role in neurotransmission as precursors to certain hormones."
"The catalyst facilitated the coupling of amines with aldehydes in the condensation reaction."
The word amine comes from the chemical term ammonia (NH3) with the -ine suffix used to denote chemical compounds in several languages. Its first known use in English dates to the 19th century during the rapid development of organic chemistry, where researchers began classifying and naming nitrogen-containing compounds. The root traces to French amine and Latin amina, which relate to ammonia’s generic naming as a compound with the amide-like structure. Over time, the term broadened to cover primary, secondary, and tertiary nitrogen-substituted derivatives, including methylamines, anilines, and aliphatic amines. Throughout the 1800s and 1900s, as synthetic chemistry advanced, “amine” became a standardized category in chemical nomenclature, with precise definitions in IUPAC for classifying the substitution patterns on the nitrogen atom and distinguishing amines from related groups like amides and ammonium salts. The historical shift toward functional group naming solidified amine as a fundamental terminology in organic chemistry, biochemistry, and medicinal chemistry, reflecting its ubiquity as a nucleophilic, basic, and versatile building block in countless reactions and biological pathways.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "Amine" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "Amine" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Amine" and show contrast in usage.
📚 Vocabulary tip: Learning synonyms and antonyms helps you understand nuanced differences in meaning and improves your word choice in speaking and writing.
Words that rhyme with "Amine"
-ine sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
🎵 Rhyme tip: Practicing with rhyming words helps you master similar sound patterns and improves your overall pronunciation accuracy.
Amine is pronounced /ˈæmiːn/ in US and UK norms, with first syllable stressed. The vowel in the first syllable is a short a as in cat, followed by a long e as in see in the second syllable. Your mouth: lips relaxed, tongue high for /iː/, jaw slightly dropped. Listen to audio references like Pronounce or Forvo for native tone nuances.
Common errors: treating it as a two-syllable word with equal vowel lengths (ə-mean). Another error is pronouncing as /ˈæmɪn/ with a short i in the second syllable. Correction: keep second syllable as /iː/ with a lengthened vowel and ensure clear break between syllables: /ˈæ.miːn/. Use a light, quick transition between /æ/ and /iː/ rather than a diphthong in the second syllable.
US/UK/AU share /ˈæmiːn/. In US English, the /æ/ in the first syllable is often a tighter, tenser vowel; the /iː/ in the second syllable can be slightly longer in careful speech. In some AU speech, you may hear a marginally more centralized starting vowel and a very crisp /iː/ due to a toned vowel system. The rhotic site doesn’t affect this word much since there is no rhotic element.
The difficulty lies in stabilizing the short /æ/ followed by a long /iː/ without creating an unintentional /ə/ or /ɪ/ in between. The second syllable is length-sensitive; speakers often shorten it in rapid speech, making it sound like /ˈæmən/. Focus on maintaining a clean, long /iː/ and a crisp boundary between syllables.
Note the silent-sounding second syllable boundary in fast speech and ensure no consonant-ending like -n links into the next word. Practice forcing a short pause between syllables when saying a phrase like “an amine catalyst” to keep /ˈæ.miːn/ distinct.
🗣️ Voice search tip: These questions are optimized for voice search. Try asking your voice assistant any of these questions about "Amine"!
- Shadowing: listen to 6–8 audio clips of the word in isolation and in context; imitate exactly the timing and intonation. - Minimal pairs: amine vs amen (ˈeɪmɪn) and amine vs amino (ˈæmɪˌnoʊ) to anchor vowel length differences. - Rhythm: stress-timed rhythm; 1 beat per syllable but ensure the second syllable is longer. - Stress practice: consistently stress the first syllable; practice with phrases like 'an amine catalyst'. - Recording: record yourself saying the word in isolation and in a sentence; compare with reference recordings and adjust length of /iː/.
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