2 syllables: au, gust. Stress on au.
AH-guhst
/ˈɑɡəst/
august is pronounced AH-guhst (/ˈɑɡəst/). It has two syllables (au-gust), with the stress on "au". A word with two pronunciations: the adjective meaning 'majestic or venerable' (often spelled as August) and the month name (spoken 'aw-GUST'). As a standalone term, it can refer to the height of summer or a dignified, imposing presence; as a proper noun (the month), its usage is fixed in calendar contexts. The adjectival form typically carries a longer initial vowel and a strong second syllable stress-free of strong syllabic emphasis.
A word with two pronunciations: the adjective meaning 'majestic or venerable' (often spelled as August) and the month name (spoken 'aw-GUST'). As a standalone term, it can refer to the height of summer or a dignified, imposing presence; as a proper noun (the month), its usage is fixed in calendar contexts. The adjectival form typically carries a longer initial vowel and a strong second syllable stress-free of strong syllabic emphasis.
- You often shorten the first syllable to /ə/ or misplace the stress, producing a weak onset. To fix, practice starting with an open back vowel like /ɔː/ or /ɔ/ and hold the first syllable longer before the /ɡəst/ cluster. - Another mistake is softening /ɡ/ into /ɣ/ or blending the /g/ with /d/, causing an unclear consonant boundary. Ensure a clean /ɡ/ release followed by /ə/ and then /st/. - Some speakers drop the 't' in connected speech or turn /st/ into a simple /s/; insist on a crisp /st/ or /st/ to prevent final-consonant weakening. Practice by saying 'aug·ust' slowly, then at natural pace, maintaining the /st/ closure. - Pairing warm-up vowels with the wrong mouth position can lead to a fronted or backed misplacement. Use a large, rounded mouth opening for the /ɔː/ vowel and keep the tongue relaxed and low in the mouth for the /ɡə/ sequence.
"The August sun beat down on the city, relentless and bright."
"Her August demeanor suggested authority and formality."
"We visited an August consecrated site for the ceremony."
There are two primary pronunciations: as the adjective, /ˈɔːɡəst/ (UK) or /ˈɔːɡəst/ US, with stressed first syllable and a short 'uh' in the second, ending with -st; as the month, /ˈɔːɡəst/ or /ˈɒɡəst/ depending on accent, with similar pattern but vowel quality differs slightly. Start with a strong open-back vowel in the first syllable and keep the lips relaxed for the 'gust' cluster. You’ll sound natural if you emphasize the first syllable and finish with a crisp 'st'. Audio examples: listen to 'august' from Pronounce or Forvo in both senses; practice mimicking the vowel length and the final consonant cluster. IPA helps you nail the exact vowels and consonant timing.
Two common errors: 1) Reducing the first syllable to a short 'uh' (/əˈɡəst/), which softens the word and makes it sound like 'a gust' rather than a dignified term. 2) Misplacing stress, often stressing the second syllable as in some two-syllable words, which breaks the expected pattern. Correction: keep primary stress on the first syllable: /ˈɔːɡəst/ (UK) /ˈɔɡəst/ (US). Ensure the 'au' vowel is open and long, and finish with a crisp 'st' without leaking voice into the final consonant. Use IPA as your guide and record to compare.
US often uses a broader /ɔː/ in the first syllable with a pronounced 'g' and a clear 'st' tail, commonly /ˈɔɡəst/. UK tends toward /ˈɔːɡɪst/ in some syllable shapes or simpler /ˈɔːɡəst/; Australian tends to merge vowels similarly to US but with slightly sharper consonants and non-rhotic tendencies in some speakers. The key differences lie in vowel length and quality in the first syllable and the presence or absence of rhoticity. Listen for vowel quality: long back open in US/UK, with AU sometimes closer to British vowels but still distinctly non-nasaly. Practice with IPA comparisons across dialects to refine accuracy.
Because the first syllable houses a tense, back open vowel that can shift with accent (US /ɔː/ vs UK /ɔː/), and the final cluster /ɡəst/ requires precise tongue position: the back of the tongue rises to contact the velum for /g/ while the following /ə/ is a reduced vowel; finishing with /st/ demands a clean, voiceless alveolar stop and fricative. The word also has a property of two distinct pronunciation traditions depending on whether you mean the adjective or the month, which can cause hesitation. Mastering the precise vowel length and final consonant cluster helps you avoid common mispronunciations.
A unique aspect is the dual pronunciation depending on meaning: the month name is typically pronounced with strong initial stress on the first syllable, while the adjective sense often surfaces in more formal or literary contexts with similar stress but broader vowel quality in some dialects. The risk is mixing up the contexts and producing a mispronunciation in formal writing or public speech; staying consistent with the sense (month vs. adjective) will help you choose the right rhythm and vowel quality. Always anchor your practice with minimal pairs contrasting the two senses.
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- US: Emphasize a broad /ɔː/ in the first syllable; keep /ɡ/ plosive release clean and ensure a short schwa for the second syllable. Your rhoticity is not as influential here, but crisp /ɡ/ helps clarity. - UK: You may hear a slightly longer, tenser first vowel; maintain non-rhoticity in many contexts and ensure the second syllable remains unstressed with a light /ə/. - AU: Pronunciation tends toward a clearer, more clipped pronunciation of /ɔː/ with strong /ɡ/ and final /st/; practice with slight vowel sharpening and shorter overall duration. - IPA references: US /ˈɔɡəst/ or /ˈɒɡəst/, UK /ˈɔːɡəst/; AU /ˈɒɡəst/ or /ˈɔːɡəst/ depending on speaker. Focus on maintaining exact vowel length and the final consonant cluster across dialects.
The word august comes from the Latin augustus, meaning venerable or venerating, derived from augere meaning to increase, to honor. In Latin, Augustus was an honorific bestowed upon revered leaders and later became the title of the first Roman emperor, signaling authority and majesty. In English, the sense shifted to describe something with regal or imposing quality, not merely the calendar month. The month name August directly inherits its title from the Roman emperor, as the month was named to mark auspicious or “venerable” times. Through centuries, august moved from a descriptor for dignified things to a formal calendar name, but the adjectival sense of noble dignity persists in literary usage. First known use in English appears in the early Middle English period, with authors invoking august to describe grandeur or solemnity. The capitalized form as a proper noun (the month) is unique and standardized in capitalization conventions, while the common adjective form continues to appear in both formal and literary registers. In modern usage, August may imply seriousness or ceremonial weight, even as the month remains a neutral time marker.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "august" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "august" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "august" 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 "august"
-ust 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.
