2 syllables: bran, dy. Stress on bran.
BRAN-dee
/ˈbɹændi/
brandy is pronounced BRAN-dee (/ˈbɹændi/). It has two syllables (bran-dy), with the stress on "bran". Brandy is a spirit distilled from wine or fermented fruit juice and aged in wood, typically yielding a smooth, warming flavor. The word also denotes this class of beverage. In everyday use, it refers to a branded liquor, often sought for sipping, and is recognized for its amber color and balanced, slight sweetness.
Brandy is a spirit distilled from wine or fermented fruit juice and aged in wood, typically yielding a smooth, warming flavor. The word also denotes this class of beverage. In everyday use, it refers to a branded liquor, often sought for sipping, and is recognized for its amber color and balanced, slight sweetness.
"She poured a glass of brandy to warm herself after the cold run."
"The chef paired the dessert with a splash of cognac and brandy sauce."
"In the store, I asked for a well-aged brandy for a gift."
Pronounce brandy as BRAN-dee, with the primary stress on the first syllable. IPA: US/UK/AU ˈbrændi. Start with an open-front unrounded vowel for /æ/ as in cat, then a light /n/ and a tense /d/ before a long /i/ as in meet. Keep the lips relaxed, tongue high in the front with the tip behind the upper teeth during /r/ action only in non-rhotic accents.
Common errors: misplacing stress (putting emphasis on the second syllable), pronouncing /æ/ as /æː/ or /e/ in some accents, and slurring the /d/ into the following /i/. Correction: ensure clear two-syllable shape BRAN-dy, keep /æ/ crisp and short, articulate /d/ with a short alveolar stop before the long /i/. Use a light, quick release before the final /i/.
In US, the first syllable is stressed; /æ/ has a near-front quality, final /i/ is long, rhoticity isn’t prominent in some speakers. UK typically keeps /æ/ but with crisper vowel and shorter final; non-rhotic tendencies may influence vowel height slightly. Australian English tends to be closer to UK, with slightly broader /æ/ and steady /i/; keep a short /n/ and a clear /d/ before the final /i/.
The difficulty centers on the short, crisp /æ/ in BRAN and the quick, unaspirated /d/ before the final /i/. Learners often glidingly extend the /æ/ or over-emphasize the /i/. Also, the transition from /n/ to /d/ to /i/ demands tight timing, and some learners temper or distort the /r/ or avoid the /r/ entirely in non-rhotic accents.
Brandy’s key feature is the rapid alveolar stop /d/ before a high front vowel /i/ when the final vowel is unstressed. It’s important not to add an extra syllable or a schwa in the second syllable. Focus on a crisp /bræ/ then /n.di/ with quick onset, no extra vowels. IPA reference: ˈbrændi.
🗣️ Voice search tip: These questions are optimized for voice search. Try asking your voice assistant any of these questions about "brandy"!
The word brandy comes from the Dutch word brandewijn, meaning “burnt wine,” a reflection of its process: wine that is distilled and then aged. The term first appeared in the mid-16th century Netherlands and spread to England through trade routes. Early brandies were primarily cognac and armagnac styles from France but the term evolved to describe any distilled wine-based spirit. The pronunciations narrowed to English-friendly forms as the product and trade expanded. The semantic scope shifted from the distilled spirit itself to the specific category of aged, smooth, oak-aged beverages, though in some markets “brandy” remains a broad tag for fruit-based brandies. First known written uses appear in 16th-century Dutch and English records, with usage intensifying in the 17th and 18th centuries as brandy became a staple of European and colonial trade.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "brandy" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "brandy" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "brandy" 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 "brandy"
-ndy 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.
