2 syllables: Band, age. Stress on Band.
BAN-dij
/ˈbændɪdʒ/
Bandage is pronounced BAN-dij (/ˈbændɪdʒ/). It has two syllables (Band-age), with the stress on "Band". Bandage is a noun referring to a strip of material used to cover wounds or injuries, applied to promote healing. It can also denote a band of fabric and padding or a wound-covering dressing. In medical contexts, bandages secure dressings, apply pressure, or support injured limbs, while figuratively it can imply protection or coverage.
nounBandage is a noun referring to a strip of material used to cover wounds or injuries, applied to promote healing. It can also denote a band of fabric and padding or a wound-covering dressing. In medical contexts, bandages secure dressings, apply pressure, or support injured limbs, while figuratively it can imply protection or coverage.
How to Pronounce Bandage
"She wrapped a sterile bandage around the patient's forearm after the cut."
"The athlete wore a bandage to support the sprained ankle."
"The nurse changed the bandage twice a day to prevent infection."
Pronounced /ˈbæn.dɪdʒ/. The stress is on the first syllable. Start with /b/ (bilabial plosive), then /æ/ as in cat, then /n/, followed by the /dʒ/ sound as in judge, and end with /ɪdʒ/ as in bridge. Keep the final /dʒ/ soft and ensure it blends with /ɪ/ to produce /dʒ/. Audio examples: you’ll hear this as "BAN-dij"; try slowing slightly to hear the /æ/ and /dʒ/ clearly.
Common mistakes include misplacing the stress (saying /ˈbæn.dəɡ/ or /ˈbændɪd/), using a hard /g/ instead of /dʒ/, and shortening the final /ɪdʒ/ into /ɪd/. Correct by: keeping stress on the first syllable, articulating dʒ as the palatal affricate /dʒ/ (like in judge), and ensuring the ending is /-ɪdʒ/ rather than /-ɡeɪ/ or /-dʒən/.
Across US/UK/AU, the pronunciation of /ˈbæn.dɪdʒ/ remains largely similar; main differences lie in vowel quality before the /dʒ/ and potential vowel reduction in rapid speech. US tends to have a slightly flatter /æ/ and clearer /dʒ/, UK may show a slightly more centralized/shortened /æ/, and AU often aligns with US but may have a more clipped final vowel in rapid speech. The rhoticity does not affect this word significantly as there is no rhotic vowel after a consonant.
The difficulty stems from the /æ/ vowel contrasted with the /dʒ/ consonant cluster at the end. Learners often substitute /d/ for /dʒ/ or mispronounce the final /-ɪdʒ/ as /-ɪd/ or /-dʒ/. Mastery requires practicing the palatal affricate /dʒ/ and curbing vowel reduction: keep /æ/ steady and transition quickly into /dʒ/ without adding an extra vowel.
Bandage has no silent letters; every letter contributes to the pronunciation. The main challenge is the cluster /nd/ followed by /ɪdʒ/. Focus on the flow from /n/ into /d/ and the following /ʒ/ sound; avoid inserting a pause between the /d/ and /ʒ/.
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Bandage originates from French bandage, derived from Old French bander meaning to bind or tie, from band (a strip or binding). The term likely entered English in the late Middle Ages, with bandage referring to a binding or strip used to secure wounds. The root band- relates to binding or tying, seen in words like band, bind, and bandit (though with different evolution). In the 17th-18th centuries, bandage became the standard surgical dressing and still carries that sense today. The word’s meaning broadened to include any fabric or strip worn over a wound for protection, compression, or support, and it can also denote a band-like strip used in non-medical contexts. First known uses appear in medical texts describing wound care and aseptic procedures, with later democratization through nursing and first-aid manuals.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "Bandage" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "Bandage" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Bandage" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Bandage"
-age sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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