4 syllables: Anx, i, e, ty. Stress on i.
ang-ZEYE-uh-tee
/æˈŋzaɪəti/
Anxiety is pronounced ang-ZEYE-uh-tee (/æˈŋzaɪəti/). It has four syllables (Anx-i-e-ty), with the stress on "i". Anxiety is a noun describing a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease about future events. It can be mild or severe and may affect thinking, behavior, and physical well‑being. In everyday use, it often refers to a general emotional state rather than a specific fear. Clinically, anxiety denotes excessive apprehension that interferes with daily life.
nounAnxiety is a noun describing a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease about future events. It can be mild or severe and may affect thinking, behavior, and physical well‑being. In everyday use, it often refers to a general emotional state rather than a specific fear. Clinically, anxiety denotes excessive apprehension that interferes with daily life.
- You might flatten the /æŋ/ into a neutral vowel and swallow the initial nasal; make sure to start with a crisp /æ/ then a nasal /ŋ/. - The second syllable /ˈzaɪ/ often gets merged with the first consonant or runs into the following /ə/; keep a clean /zaɪ/ and then a distinct /ə/ before /ti/. - Final /ti/ is frequently reduced to /t/ or /tiː/; aim for a short, crisp /ti/ with a quick release. - When speaking quickly, the /ɪ/ before /ti/ may be omitted; practice with slow, then normal pace to keep /ɪ/ present.
How to Pronounce Anxiety
"Her anxiety about the upcoming exam kept her from sleeping well."
"Public speaking can trigger anxiety in many people."
"The patient reported chronic anxiety and sought therapy to manage symptoms."
Pronounce it as /æŋˈzaɪəti/ in US, UK, and AU. The first syllable is a nasal /æŋ/ with the jaw moderately open and the tongue low-front. The secondary stress is on the second syllable /ˈzaɪ/ as in 'eye', followed by /ə/ and /ti/ endings. Think: ANX-uh-eye-uh-tee, with lead-in nasal and a clear 'eye' diphthong. For careful enunciation, keep /zaɪ/ distinct and avoid conflating /zi/ into /ziː/.
Common mistakes include saying /æŋˈæɪɪti/ by misplacing the vowel in the second syllable and merging /ˈzaɪə/ into /ˈzaɪi/ or dropping the /ti/ final. Another frequent error is flattening the final /i/ into a schwa; keep /ɪ/ or /i/ clearly resolved before the final /ti/. Practice by isolating /zaɪ/ and ensuring the /ti/ lands crisply.
In US, /æŋˈzaɪəti/ with rhotacized r? No, anxiety is non-rhotic; /æŋˈzaɪəti/. UK tends to preserve /t/ as a crisp alveolar stop, same /æŋˈzaɪəti/. Australian speakers may have a slightly broader vowel in /æ/ and a more clipped final /i/, but the main rhythm remains the secondary stress on /ˈzaɪ/; non-rhotic tendencies reduce post-vocalic r, but not applicable here. Overall, the vowel qualities shift subtly (US lax /æ/, UK/AU closer to /æ/) while rhythm stays strong-weak-weak.
Two main challenges: the diphthong /aɪ/ in the second syllable and the sequence /ɪti/ at the end. The transition from /zaɪ/ to /əti/ requires precise mouth control; beginners often insert an extra vowel or merge the /ti/ with the preceding /i/. Also, the initial /æŋ/ requires a nasal with the soft palate lowered. Focus on crisp interdental or alveolar 't' release and maintaining a clear schwa-less /ɪ/ before the final /ti/.
Yes. Anxiety has primary stress on the second syllable: an-XI-e-ty, with the peak on /ˈzaɪ/. The schwa in the third syllable is light, but the /ti/ at the end should feel like a standalone syllable in careful speech. In fast speech, the final /i/ may reduce toward a near-schwa, but keep the /ti/ clearly audible in careful or formal speech.
🗣️ Voice search tip: These questions are optimized for voice search. Try asking your voice assistant any of these questions about "Anxiety"!
- US: /æŋˈzaɪəti/ with clear /æ/ in first syllable; /ˈzaɪ/ strong; final /ə-ti/ quick but distinct. - UK: similar rhythm, but vowels can be more clipped; keep /æ/ accurate, /zaɪ/ clear, and /əti/ as two soft syllables. - AU: vowels may be broader; maintain /æŋ/ nasal, and ensure /zaɪ/ has a full diphthong; final /ti/ tends to be slightly lighter. Reference IPA for precise targets: /æŋˈzaɪəti/.
Anxiety originates from Middle English anxiate, derived from Latin anxietas, from anxius meaning ‘anxious, troubled’ and the root agere meaning ‘to drive, to move’ or more specifically to strain or trouble. The English term matured in the 14th–16th centuries, initially linked to agitation and distress of mind and body. Its semantic field broadened from fear-based apprehension to a generalized state of nervous anticipation, including worry and unease about future events. By the 19th and 20th centuries, anxiety was commonly used in medical and psychological discourse to describe chronic states, rather than momentary fear. In contemporary usage, it spans clinical anxiety disorders and everyday, nonclinical worry, maintaining emphasis on internal states that are intrusive or persistent. The word has cognates in many European languages, reflecting the shared human experience of distress, and remains central in discussions of mental health and well-being.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "Anxiety" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "Anxiety" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Anxiety" 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 "Anxiety"
-ity 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.
