2 syllables: brace, lets. Stress on brace.
BRAY-slits
/ˈbɹeɪslɪts/
bracelets is pronounced BRAY-slits (/ˈbɹeɪslɪts/). It has two syllables (brace-lets), with the stress on "brace". Bracelets are small ornamental bands worn around the wrist, typically metal or fabric, often given as jewelry or gifts. The term denotes the plural form of bracelet and emphasizes multiple items rather than a single piece. In everyday speech, it appears in fashion, gifts, and accessory contexts, and can describe styles, collections, or price ranges.
Bracelets are small ornamental bands worn around the wrist, typically metal or fabric, often given as jewelry or gifts. The term denotes the plural form of bracelet and emphasizes multiple items rather than a single piece. In everyday speech, it appears in fashion, gifts, and accessory contexts, and can describe styles, collections, or price ranges.
"She bought several bracelets to match her outfits for the week."
"The charity auction featured antique bracelets and other jewelry."
"He slipped a delicate bracelet onto her wrist as a birthday surprise."
Pronounce as BRAY-sluts, with primary stress on the first syllable: /ˈbreɪ.sləts/ (US/UK: /ˈbreɪ.slɪts/). The 'brace' part rhymes with 'grace' and 'face'; the second syllable reduces to a schwa or light 'i' depending on accent. In careful speech, you can hear it as two distinct syllables: BRAY - slits (or slits without a pronounced vowel). Listen for the T-like ending blending into the plural s. Audio reference: common dictionary pronunciations align with /ˈbreɪ.slɪts/ or /ˈbreɪ.sləts/ depending on speaker. “Brace” = BRAYSS, “lets” = -lits with a light 'i' or schwa.
Two frequent errors: (1) treating it as one syllable or misplacing stress, leading to BRAY-its or BRAY-lets with an over-emphasized second syllable. (2) pronouncing the second vowel as a full 'e' (/ɛ/) rather than a reduced schwa or short /ɪ/; many say /ˈbreɪ.slæts/ or /ˈbreɪ.lɪts/. Correction: keep two-syllable rhythm: BRAY --slits or BRAY -slets, with a lighter second vowel. Focus on the word boundary between /ˈbreɪ/ and /slɪts/ or /sləts/ and reduce vowel length in the second syllable.
In US/UK, the first syllable carries primary stress: /ˈbreɪ.slɪts/ (US) vs /ˈbreɪ.slɪts/ (UK). The second syllable often uses a short /ɪ/ or a schwa /ə/ depending on rhythm. Australian English is similar but may reduce the second vowel further, sounding like /ˈbɹeɪ.slɪts/ with more vowel reduction in fast speech. Rhotacization is not a difference here; all three typically maintain /brɛɪ/ in the first syllable. Overall, the main distinction is vowel quality in the second syllable and slight vowel reduction in casual speech.
The difficulty comes from rapid consonant cluster /sl/ plus the cluster /ts/ at the end, and the shift between long vowel /eɪ/ in brace vs. a reduced vowel in the second syllable. English speakers often assimilate to one syllable or let the second vowel become a schwa, which colors the rhythm. Practice focusing on the boundary between /ˈbreɪ/ and /slɪts/ with a crisp /t/ before the final /s/. Precise tongue position: front tongue at /eɪ/, then alveolar click into /sl/ via a short glide from /ɪ/ or /ə/.
There are no silent letters in standard pronunciation of 'bracelets'; the final -ts is pronounced as /ts/ or /ts/ followed by a light /s/ depending on accent. The plural -s is voiced as /z/ or voiceless /s/ in some spellings but for bracelets, typical pronunciation uses the final /ts/ or /ts/ with a concise release. The letters are pronounced, and the 'e' in '/eɪ/' influences the first syllable's vowel sound rather than being silent.
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Bracelet originates from Old French bracelet, itself from bracelet “little bracelet” derived from brace “arm” (Latin bracchium). The diminutive suffix -et signals ‘small’ (Old French -et/ -et). In English, the word evolved by the 14th century to mean a small, decorative band worn around the wrist. Early bracelets often served as status symbols or amulets; metal, beadwork, and leather were common materials. By the 16th–18th centuries, bracelet fashion diversified across Europe, with evolving designs and clasp mechanisms. The plural form bracelets appears naturally as jewelry items increased in number or as retailers advertised assortments. In modern usage, bracelets encompass a broad spectrum from delicate chain bracelets to chunky charm bracelets, maintaining the core idea of a circular wrist adornment across cultures.
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Words that rhyme with "bracelets"
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