3 syllables: at, tor, neys. Stress on tor.
uh-TUR-neez
/əˈtɝniz/
attorneys is pronounced uh-TUR-neez (/əˈtɝniz/). It has three syllables (at-tor-neys), with the stress on "tor". Attorneys refers to professionals who are legally qualified to represent clients in legal matters and plead cases in court. The term encompasses lawyers who provide legal advice, draft documents, and advocate on behalf of individuals or organizations in civil or criminal proceedings. It emphasizes formal credentialing and public-facing advocacy within the legal system.
Attorneys refers to professionals who are legally qualified to represent clients in legal matters and plead cases in court. The term encompasses lawyers who provide legal advice, draft documents, and advocate on behalf of individuals or organizations in civil or criminal proceedings. It emphasizes formal credentialing and public-facing advocacy within the legal system.
"The attorneys prepared a comprehensive motion for the judge."
"We consulted with our attorneys before signing the settlement."
"The attorneys argued the case with precise references to precedent."
Pronunciation: /əˈtɜːr.niz/ in US English, with stress on the second syllable in many accents? Actually, the nucleus is on the second syllable: a-TOR-neys. IPA: US /əˈtɜːr.niz/, UK /əˈtɜː.niz/, AU /əˈtɜː.niz/. Begin with a schwa, then a stressed rhotic syllable 'tər' followed by 'nəz'. Mouth posture: schwa relaxed, then a tense mid-back rounded 'ɜː' in non-rhotic accents; finish with /niz/ where the 'i' is a light schwa-like vowel and /z/ voice. Listen for the light second syllable stress and the quiet final /z/. Audio reference: consider listening to Cambridge Dictionary or Forvo pronunciations for precise vowel length and rhoticity.
Common mistakes include misplacing stress on the first syllable (a-TOR-neys instead of a-tor-NEYS), confusing the second syllable vowel as /ɜː/ in non-rhotic environments, and dropping the final /z/ (attorney, attorneys). Corrections: place primary stress on the second syllable: /əˈtɜːr.niz/; ensure the final is a voiced z, not a sibilant; maintain a light schwa in the first syllable. Practice with minimal pairs: 'attempts' vs 'attorneys' to feel the rhythm, and record yourself to hear the final voiced /z/.
In US English, you’ll hear /əˈtɜːr.niz/ with rhotic r and a clear /ɜː/ vowel in the stressed second syllable. In UK English, /əˈtɜː.niz/ is non-rhotic, but most speakers still maintain the /ɜː/; vowels are slightly longer and the 'r' is non-rhotic. Australian English tends to be rhotic but with clipped vowels and a bright /ɜː/ in stressed syllables, sometimes aligning closer to US. Pay attention to vowel length and rhoticity: US/AU often glide to /ɹ/ in the stressed syllable; UK tends to a longer rounded /ɜː/ without rhotic linking.
The difficulty lies in the unstressed initial schwa and the high-fronted mid vowel in the stressed syllable, plus a final voiced /z/ that can be devoiced in careful speech. The consonant cluster /tɜːr/ requires precise tongue position to avoid an accidental /t/ followed by a different vowel. Also, the plural ending /-iz/ can merge with /-iːz/ in rapid speech. Focus on keeping a steady /ə/ before the stressed syllable, then a crisp /ˈtɜːr/ followed by /niz/.
Some speakers may produce a syllabic /n/ or blend /n/ with /i/ in rapid speech, sounding like 'a-ter-nees' or 'a-torn-ez'. The recommended practice is to maintain full syllables: a-TOR-ne- ize? Not correct. Emphasize the three-syllable pattern with the middle syllable carrying the bulk of vowel tension: /əˈtɜːr.niz/. Practice with a slow, deliberate enunciation to avoid elision of the /r/ in rhotic accents or the /z/ in non-rhotic dialects.
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The word attorneys derives from the Middle English attorney, from Old French atorné, which itself comes from the Latin ad or minus? The immediate origin is from Old French attorney or avoué meaning one summoned or commissioned to act on another’s behalf. The root verb is from Latin ad- (to) + tendere (to stretch, extend, extend authority), indicating someone who is authorized to act for another. In English law, attorney originally referred to someone authorized to act for a party in a legal matter; later, the term narrowed in many regions to a professional who represents clients in court. Through the centuries, the spelling and pronunciation drifted; by the 16th–17th centuries, attorneys became the standard plural in modern English to denote a class of legal professionals. The plural form emphasizes the extension of legal advocacy across multiple cases, not just a single representation. First known usage in English records appears in the late medieval period, aligning with the growth of legal professions and formalized advocacy in common law systems. Over time, the term has come to distinguish certain legal roles (attorneys-at-law, attorney general) and, in some jurisdictions, to refer to specific licensed lawyers rather than all advocates. The evolution reflects jurisdictional variations in title conventions and the broadening scope of legal practice across English-speaking countries.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "attorneys" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "attorneys"
-ies sounds
-ney sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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