Bigotry is the obstinate or prejudiced intolerance toward those who hold different opinions, beliefs, or identities, often expressed through biased attitudes or actions. It denotes an entrenched, irrational bias that resists evidence or dialogue, and it can manifest in discrimination or hostile language. In discourse, it frames disagreement as moral failing rather than a difference of viewpoint.
- In US you’ll hear more rhoticity and a slightly broader /ɪ/ in the first syllable; keep the mouth relaxed before /ɡ/. - In UK the /r/ tends to be non-rhotic; still articulate the /r/ in /tri/ but avoid linking /r/ to preceding consonants. - In AU, expect lighter vowel qualities and quicker tempo; maintain the short first /ɪ/ and quick /ə/ before /tri/.
"Her bigotry toward non-native speakers surprised the teachers during the meeting."
"The policy aimed to curb all forms of bigotry in the workplace."
"He spoke with bigotry, masking his prejudice behind sarcasm and ignorance."
"Educational programs seek to reduce bigotry by promoting empathy and critical thinking."
Bigotry derives from the word bigot, which entered English in the early 14th century from Old French bigot, meaning a religious zealot; later, in 15th–16th centuries, it came to denote a prejudiced person or one who is obstinately devoted to their own opinions. The root bigot itself may be linked to French bibier, meaning a beggar or rustic, but most etymological accounts point to a blend of Old French bibot ‘fool’ and medieval Latin bibitus ‘idiot’ through the notion of obstinate adherence. By the 19th century, bigotry evolved to a broader sense of irrational, bigoted prejudice beyond religious zeal. Today, bigotry commonly appears in discussions of race, religion, gender, sexuality, and nationality, and is treated as a social ill targeted by education, policy, and advocacy. The word travels across languages with similar forms like bigot and bigotry signaling a fixed, unyielding bias rather than a nuanced view. The evolution reflects a shift from labeling zealousness to characterizing prejudice that resists evidence and dialogue.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "Bigotry" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "Bigotry" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Bigotry" 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 "Bigotry"
-ght 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.
Bigotry is pronounced /ˈbɪɡətri/. The primary stress is on the first syllable. Begin with a short, lifted /ɪ/ as in 'bit', then reduce the second syllable to /ə/ (schwa), followed by /tri/ where /t/ is released and the /r/ blends with a clear /i/ vowel in the final syllable. Think BIH-guh-tree (with a crisp T).
Common errors include over-lengthening the middle syllable or turning the final /tri/ into /triː/ (BIH-GET-ree). Also some learners attach an r-colored vowel in the first syllable or misplace the stress to second syllable. The fix: keep /ˈbɪ/ strong, use a light /ə/ in the second syllable, and release /tri/ sharply with a clear /t/ followed by /ri/.
In US/UK/AU, the word maintains primary stress on the first syllable /ˈbɪ/. US and UK share rhoticity differences: US tends to have a rhotic /r/ in the second syllable in connected speech, while non-rhotic UK pronunciation can reduce /r/ at the end of syllables, but in this word with /tri/ the /r/ is typically pronounced. Australian speech mirrors US/UK patterns but with a lighter vowel in /ɪ/ and faster rhythm.
Difficulties include achieving the short, crisp /ɪ/ in the first syllable, maintaining a quick, unstressed /ə/ in the second syllable, and producing the /tri/ cluster without an intrusive vowel between /ə/ and /t/. The /t/ should be a clear stop before /r/, which can be challenging for certain language backgrounds. Practicing with minimal pairs helps refine transition between /ɡ/ and /ə/ and /tr/.
A unique feature is the syllabic rhythm: the first syllable carries primary stress and is short, while the middle schwa is reduced, and the final /tri/ lands with a crisp /t/ and a rounded /i/. The combination of a strong initial vowel with a rapid, reduced middle and sharp final cluster makes the word perceptually clear but prone to reduction in fast speech.
🗣️ Voice search tip: These questions are optimized for voice search. Try asking your voice assistant any of these questions about "Bigotry"!
- Shadowing: listen to a clear, slow reading of the word in a short sentence and repeat exactly. - Minimal pairs: bigot vs bigotry (but you want /bɪɡətri/ vs /bɪɡɒtri/ depending on accent). - Rhythm: practice 2-beat rhythm: BI-ɡuh-tri, then a metered 3-beat: BI-ɡə-tri with even timing. - Stress: ensure primary stress on first syllable; keep second syllable light. - Recording: record yourself and compare to a native speaker, adjust /ɡ/ release. - Context practice: use in sentences: “The bigotry in the debate undermined progress.”
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