4 syllables: A, vi, ar, y. Stress on A.
AY-vee-er-ee
/ˈeɪviˌɛɹi/
Aviary is pronounced AY-vee-er-ee (/ˈeɪviˌɛɹi/). It has four syllables (A-vi-ar-y), with the stress on "A". Aviary is a noun for a protected area or enclosure where birds are kept, often a building or enclosed garden with aviaries for display or housing. The term emphasizes the housing aspect for birds rather than wild habitat. It can also refer to the collective space containing multiple caged or free-flying birds.
nounAviary is a noun for a protected area or enclosure where birds are kept, often a building or enclosed garden with aviaries for display or housing. The term emphasizes the housing aspect for birds rather than wild habitat. It can also refer to the collective space containing multiple caged or free-flying birds.
"The conservatory hosts a large aviary filled with tropical species."
"Visitors walked through the aviary, where colorful parrots perched on branches."
"Researchers studied disease transmission within the aviary, carefully observing housed birds."
US/UK/AU IPA: US ˈeɪ.viˌɛr.i, UK ˈæv.i.ri, AU ˈæ.vɪ.ɹi. Start with a stressed first syllable with a clear 'ay' or short 'a' depending on accent, then a light second syllable, ending with a soft 'ree' or 'ry' sound. Tip: the middle 'vi' often binds quickly to the 'ary' ending.
Two common errors: (1) over-consolidating the middle syllable so it sounds like a single vowel; (2) misplacing the rhotic? ending in non-rhotic accents. Correction: ensure 3-syllable rhythm A-vi-ary with clear second syllable onset /vɪ/ or /vi/ and a light final /ri/ (US) or /riː/ depending on accent. Practice by chunking: AV-iary, not AV-i-ary with a heavy middle.
US typically stresses first syllable with /ˈeɪ/ and maintains a distinct /vi/ syllable, final /ɹi/. UK often gives a shorter first vowel /ˈæv/ and a non-rhotic /ɹ/ that blends, with a less pronounced final /i/. Australian blends may reduce the /ɪ/ to a schwa-like vowel in some speakers and often features a more clipped, non-rhotic ending, sounding closer to /ˈæviəri/ with softer final vowel.
The challenge lies in two coordinated issues: a tri-syllabic rhythm with a rising onset and a tamed final vowel; the /ˈeɪ/ or /ˈæv/ vowel in the first syllable and the /ɪ/ or /i/ in the second, followed by a soft /ɹi/ or /ri/ at the end. Coordinating lip rounding for /eɪ/ and /i/ and keeping the final /ri/ crisp is tricky, especially in connected speech.
The key unique feature is that the word combines a long diphthong in the first syllable (often /eɪ/ or /æ/ depending on accent) with a light, unstressed ending and a rhotic or non-rhotic ending based on the variety. The middle 'vi' typically maintains a compact vowel and a crisp onset, while the final 'ary' is realized as /əri/ or /əriː/ in many dialects.
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Aviary comes from the Latin avarius, derived from avis, meaning bird. The Modern English word emerged through Medieval Latin avarius, denoting a place for birds. In English, it evolved to specifically describe enclosed spaces for housing birds and displaying them. The term’s usage dates back to at least the 16th century as Europe and Asia developed more elaborate bird enclosures and collections, particularly in royal menageries and botanical gardens. Over time, aviary became a standard English noun, distinct from placeholders like birdhouse by emphasizing an enclosure designed for the display and housing of multiple birds, rather than single-perch facilities. The word’s semantic shift reflects expanding human interest in ornithology and public exhibits, as well as the practical need to describe structured habitats that support social bird life within a controlled environment. Early usage often appeared in travel writing and catalogues of zoos and gardens, with the term appearing in various spellings before stabilizing into the modern form “aviary.”
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Aviary" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Aviary" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Aviary"
-ary sounds
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