4 syllables: a, non, y, mous. Stress on non.
uh-NAH-nuh-muhs
/əˈnɑnəməs/
anonymous is pronounced uh-NAH-nuh-muhs (/əˈnɑnəməs/). It has four syllables (a-non-y-mous), with the stress on "non". Anonymous is a noun describing a person whose name is not known or withheld. It can also refer to something done or created by someone without identifying them, or to a prototype or thing without a named author. In formal contexts, it often signals unspecified authorship or origin, while in casual use it can imply anonymity or secrecy.
nounAnonymous is a noun describing a person whose name is not known or withheld. It can also refer to something done or created by someone without identifying them, or to a prototype or thing without a named author. In formal contexts, it often signals unspecified authorship or origin, while in casual use it can imply anonymity or secrecy.
- You may default to stressing the first syllable (a-NON-uh-mous) instead of the second; fix by emphasizing the /ˈnɒn/ syllable clearly. - Mispronouncing the second syllable’s vowel as /ɒ/ instead of the clipped /ɒɪ/ or /ɪ/ sound; keep it /ɒ/ plus a light /ɪ/ in the sequence. - Over-articulating the final /məs/ turning it into /mæs/; keep final /əs/ light and quick. Track your speech and use minimal pairs to reinforce the correct rhythm.
"The letter was signed by an anonymous donor."
"An anonymous online whistleblower released the report."
"The painting remained anonymous to protect the artist."
Pronounce it as /əˈnɒn.ɪ.məs/ in General American and /əˈnɒn.ɪ.məs/ in Received Pronunciation. The primary stress sits on the second syllable: a-NON-i-mous. Start with a schwa in the first syllable, then an open back vowel in the second, ending with a light /məs/. You can listen to a native pronunciation on Pronounce or Forvo for audio reference. Practice saying: a-NON-i-mous (emphasize /ˈnɒn/).
Two frequent errors are stressing the wrong syllable and mispronouncing the second vowel as a long /o/ rather than the short /ɒ/ sound. Another pitfall is over-articulating the final syllable, turning /məs/ into /mæs/. Correct by marking stress on the second syllable, using /ɒ/ in the second syllable, and keeping the final /əs/ or /əs/ light and quick.
In US, the /ɒ/ in the second syllable tends to be a rounded open back /ɑ/ or /ɒ/ depending on speaker, with rhotic /ɹ/ in connected speech; in UK English, /ɒ/ is more open and non-rhotic, so the /ɹ/ isn't pronounced after vowels. Australian tends toward a broad /ɒ/ with a less pronounced /ɹ/ in non-rhotic contexts, and a tendency to flatten diphthongs slightly. Overall, the core /əˈnɒn.ɪ.məs/ pattern remains, but vowel quality and rhoticity shift subtly.
Key challenges include the schwa in the first syllable, the short /ɒ/ in the stressed second syllable, and the final /məs/ cluster where the /s/ is light and the /ə/ can reduce. The sequence a-NON-i-mous requires a steady mid-back vowel in stressed syllable and rapid transition into an unstressed final. People often misplace stress or over-articulate the final /məs/. Listening to native speech helps you feel the rhythm and timing.
Yes. In careful speech, the first syllable is a weak /ə/ (schwa), sounding like a quick 'uh.' In more deliberate speech or emphasis, you can reduce it even further to a near-zero vowel, letting the second syllable carry the primary weight. The distinction matters mainly in tempo; for most conversational contexts, you’ll want the softer /ə/ to keep the stress on the second syllable and preserve the /ˈnɒn/ quality in the stressed syllable.
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- US: rhotic pronunciation; the /ɹ/ is pronounced in connected speech and the /ɒ/ in the stressed syllable tends to be a rounded, back vowel. - UK: non-rhotic; you’ll hear softer /ɹ/ and more open /ɒ/ in the stressed syllable; avoid adding extra /ɹ/ after vowels. - AU: tends toward a broad /ɒ/ with subtle vowel tilts; keep the final /s/ crisp but not overly sibilant. All accents maintain the secondary /ɪ/ in the third syllable and the final /əs/ cluster. IPA references available, listen to native speakers for precise vowel qualities.
Anonymous comes from the Latin word anonymus, formed from prefix An- (not, without) + onoma (name). The term made its way into English by the 17th century, initially in religious or legal texts to describe anonymous donors or authors. The root onoma is linked to Greek onoma (name) via Latin, reflecting a tradition of naming or withholding names in textual attributions. Over time, anonymous broadened its scope beyond anonymous manuscripts or benefactors to describe individuals whose identities are concealed in everyday speech, journalism, online contexts, and cultural expressions. The modern sense emphasizes the lack of a known or disclosed name rather than a temporary absence of recognition, and the word has retained its formal undertone when used in academic or legal discussions while remaining common in media and colloquial discourse.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "anonymous" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "anonymous"
-ous sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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