2 syllables: An, nals. Stress on An.
AN-uhlz
/ˈænəlz/
Annals is pronounced AN-uhlz (/ˈænəlz/). It has two syllables (An-nals), with the stress on "An". Annals is a plural noun referring to a chronological record of events, often kept by a government, organization, or academic institution. The term typically denotes authoritative, dated entries or yearly chronicles. In usage, it can describe formal historical records or ongoing journals that document events over time.
nounAnnals is a plural noun referring to a chronological record of events, often kept by a government, organization, or academic institution. The term typically denotes authoritative, dated entries or yearly chronicles. In usage, it can describe formal historical records or ongoing journals that document events over time.
"The university published its annuals detailing faculty research and notable alumni."
"Ancient annals reveal a pattern of political upheaval over centuries."
"Researchers consulted the annals of the kingdom to trace the lineages."
Annals is pronounced with two syllables: /ˈæ.nəlz/. The stress is on the first syllable. Start with an open front lax vowel /æ/ as in “cat,” then a light schwa-like /ə/ in the second syllable, and end with the voiced consonant cluster /lz/ influenced by /l/ and /z/. Picture it as AN-uhls, with the final /lz/ being together without a strong vowel in between. For clarity, you can listen to native pronunciations on Pronounce or Forvo for confirmation.
Common mistakes include saying a strong, full vowel in the second syllable (like /æ/ or /eɪ/) and inserting an extra vowel between /l/ and /z/. Some learners also mispronounce the final consonant as /s/ instead of /z/. Correction tips: keep the second syllable short, use a quick schwa or /ə/ sound, and transition directly into the /z/ with a light, voiced end. Aim for /ˈæ.nəlz/ with the /l/ blending into /z/ smoothly.
In US and UK accents, Annals is /ˈæ.nəlz/, with a rhotic or non-rhotic quality not affecting this word much because the final /z/ is voiced. The main variation is vowel quality in the first syllable: US often favors a slightly tenser /æ/, UK can be a bit shorter and crisper. Australian English keeps /æ/ but may have a slightly lighter second syllable and a clear /z/. Overall, the cue is the two-syllable rhythm and the /l/ linking before /z/ in all three.
The difficulty comes from the subtle transition between the syllables and the final /lz/ cluster. The second syllable uses a reduced vowel, so you must avoid inserting an extra vowel between /l/ and /z/. Additionally, you must maintain a crisp /l/ sound before the voiced /z/ without letting the tongue drop too much, and you must keep the stress on the first syllable. Practicing the /l/ to /z/ connection and the short second syllable helps with clarity in rapid speech.
Yes, the word’s two-syllable rhythm with a light, almost schwa-like second syllable makes speakers naturally shorten the middle transition. The must-avoid trap is inserting a vowel in the /l/ + /z/ cluster. It’s also common to place too much emphasis on the second syllable; keep the primary emphasis on the first syllable and deliver a quick, clear second syllable ending in /z/. Understanding the flow from /n/ to /l/ to /z/ is key.
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Annals derives from the Old French anals, which came from Latin annales, meaning year-by-year records (annus = year). The Latin plural annales referred to yearly entries in a calendar or yearbook. In English, annals appeared by the 14th century to denote official records kept in chronological order. The form evolved from writings that summarized yearly events in state or ecclesiastical contexts to broader use for any systematic historical records. The word’s semantic focus on time-ordered documentation remains central: annual entries that preserve memory, dates, and events across generations. Early English texts used annals to describe episcopal or royal chronicles; later, secular institutions adopted the term for institutional histories and archives. The pronunciation stabilized with the soft ‘n’ cluster and the two-syllable stress pattern in Middle English and Early Modern English, aligning with cognates in other Romance-influenced languages that reference yearly records.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "Annals" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "Annals" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Annals" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Annals"
-als sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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