4 syllables: An, ti, mo, ny. Stress on ti.
an-TIM-uh-nee
/ænˈtɪməni/
Antimony is pronounced an-TIM-uh-nee (/ænˈtɪməni/). It has four syllables (An-ti-mo-ny), with the stress on "ti". Antimony is a chemical element with the symbol Sb and atomic number 51. It is a brittle, silvery-white metalloid used in alloys and various industrial processes. In academic and technical contexts, the word is often encountered in chemistry, materials science, and mineralogy discussions.
nounAntimony is a chemical element with the symbol Sb and atomic number 51. It is a brittle, silvery-white metalloid used in alloys and various industrial processes. In academic and technical contexts, the word is often encountered in chemistry, materials science, and mineralogy discussions.
How to Pronounce Antimony
"The antimony content in the mineral ore was too low to extract economically."
"Researchers studied antimony trichloride as a catalyst in organic synthesis."
"Ancient texts mention antimony in the context of early alchemical experimentation."
Antimony is pronounced /ˈæntɪmoʊni/ (US) or /ˈæntɪməni/ (UK/AU). The primary stress is on the first syllable: AN-ti-mo-ny. Break it into three clear units: /ˈæn/ as in “an,” /ˈtɪ/ as in “tip,” and /moʊni/ or /məni/ for the final two syllables. Pay attention to the second syllable; in many dialects it’s a short schwa-like /ɪ/ rather than a full vowel. Audio references: in standard dictionaries and pronounced examples online you can hear the full segment with the stress on the first syllable.
Common errors include stressing the wrong syllable (e.g., AN-tim-ONY) and mispronouncing the final -ny as /nɪ/ or /naɪ/ instead of /ni/. Also, the middle vowel in the second syllable is often reduced; aim for a concise /ɪ/ rather than a full /i/. Correct by practicing the sequence /ˈæn/ + /tɪ/ + /moʊ/ + /ni/ and recording yourself to verify the final syllable maintains a clean /ni/ without intrusive vowel length.
In US English you’ll hear /ˈæntɪˌmoʊni/ with a strong /oʊ/ on the third syllable and a prominent rhotic center. UK English tends to /ˈæntɪˈmən.i/ or /ˈæntɪmənɪ/ with a shorter /ɔː/ or reduced /ə/ in the final syllable; AU often mirrors US pronunciation but with slightly less rhoticity and a more centralized /ə/ in the second syllable. The essential elements are stress on the first syllable and a clear /ni/ ending across all varieties, with subtle vowel quality shifts.
The difficulty comes from the combination of a heavy initial consonant cluster /ˈænt/ followed by a diphthong in the third syllable /moʊ/ and a short, unstressed final /ni/. Speakers often misplace emphasis, flatten the /ɪ/ in the second syllable, or merge /moʊ/ with /mən/ in rapid speech. Practice slow, then progressively faster speech, focusing on maintaining the three distinct syllables with steady vowel sounds and final /ni/.
A unique angle is the historical misperception of the ‘mon’ sequence; some learners lengthen the second syllable or misplace stress due to the unusual consonant cluster after /æ/. Another distinct point is keeping the final /ni/ crisp rather than turning it into /niː/ or /nɪ/. Focus on three phonemic blocks: /ˈæn/ /tɪ/ /moʊni/ and monitor final consonant release in recordings.
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- US: final /ɪ/ in the second syllable may be reduced and the /oʊ/ in the third syllable pronounced clearly. Maintain rhotic clarity if speaking in fast US contexts. - UK: tends to a slightly shorter second syllable and more centralized vowel qualities in the final syllable; keep /ni/ crisp and short. - AU: often similar to US, with slightly less rhoticity; ensure the /moʊ/ is a distinct, rounded diphthong and not smoothed into /moː/. - IPA anchors: /ˈæntɪˌmoʊni/ (US) vs /ˈæntɪməni/ or /ˈæntɪˈmən.i/ (UK/AU). Practice minimal pairs to hear the subtle vowel shifts across accents.
Antimony derives from the Latin stibium, borrowed from Greek stibi (‘mark’ or ‘paint’), historically associated with the mineral stibnite (Sb2S3). The symbol Sb comes from the Latin name stibium. The word entered English via medieval Latin and early modern chemistry as scholars described the metalloid element used in cosmetics, pigments, and alloys. Over time, the spelling consolidated to ‘antimony’ in the 16th–17th centuries, aligning with European naming conventions for elements and their Latin or Greek roots. In antiquity, antimony was known in the form of stibnite and used in cosmetics; its applications expanded through the chemical revolution, mining, and metallurgy. First known uses appear in medieval Latin texts addressing mineralogy and alchemical recipes, with broader technical adoption in the 18th and 19th centuries alongside the development of modern chemistry and the periodic table.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Antimony" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "Antimony"
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