2 syllables: Breth, ren. Stress on Breth.
BRETH-ruhn
/ˈbɹɛðɹən/
Brethren is pronounced BRETH-ruhn (/ˈbɹɛðɹən/). It has two syllables (Breth-ren), with the stress on "Breth". Brethren is a plural noun referring to fellow members of a religious group or, more generally, to members of a particular community or fellowship. In modern usage, it often denotes a formal, sometimes solemn, sense of shared faith or kinship among members. It can also appear in older or ceremonial contexts to indicate a collective of brothers or male peers.
nounBrethren is a plural noun referring to fellow members of a religious group or, more generally, to members of a particular community or fellowship. In modern usage, it often denotes a formal, sometimes solemn, sense of shared faith or kinship among members. It can also appear in older or ceremonial contexts to indicate a collective of brothers or male peers.
How to Pronounce Brethren
"The brethren gathered for the annual communion service, each bringing a gift for the church."
"In the lodge, the brethren discussed charitable projects and community outreach."
"The speaker addressed the brethren with a tone of solemn respect."
Brethren is pronounced BRĔD-rən with the primary stress on the first syllable: /ˈbrɛðrən/. The 'ea' is not a long 'ea' as in 'bread'; it’s a short, lax vowel. The 'th' is voiced (as in 'this'), not a dental stop. The final 'en' sounds like a schwa+n or a quick 'ən'. Think: 'BREH-thrun' with the 'th' clearly voiced and the second syllable reduced.
Common errors include pronouncing the first syllable as 'bread' (BRĒD-rən) with a long 'ea' vowel, or turning the second syllable into a full 'run' (BRĒD-rən vs BRĔD-ren). Another pitfall is devoicing the final 'n' or overemphasizing the 'th' sound. Correction: keep /brɛð/ for the first syllable, allow a light schwa /rə/ in the second, and end with a soft /n/.
In US, UK, and AU, the initial /br/ and the /ɛ/ vowel are consistent, but rhoticity affects the overall rhythm. US tends to have a slightly longer /ɛ/ and a more pronounced rhotic influence in connected speech, UK typically keeps a tighter /ə/ in the second syllable, and AU may reduce the second syllable a touch more, with a softer /ə/. The main vowel in the first syllable remains /ɛ/ across accents.
The difficulty lies in the short, lax vowel in the first syllable and the voiced /ð/ in a word that isn’t frequently used in daily speech. The second syllable reduces to /rə/, which can blur in fast speech. Additionally, the word carries a formal, archaic flavor, encouraging listeners to slow down, which makes accurate articulation more noticeable.
Yes. The word has a primary stress on the first syllable: BRĒ- or BRĔ- depending on tempo, followed by a reduced second syllable. The presence of /ð/ in the second cluster can challenge learners who expect a simpler 'th' sound. The stress pattern remains trochaic: two syllables with a heavier first, but the fast speech often hides the clean /ð/ and /r/ blends.
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US: keep a clear /ɛ/ and a pronounced /ð/, with a slightly harder 'r' in second syllable. UK: less rhotic influence; the /r/ is weaker or non-rhotic; second syllable is lighter; quick /ə/ reduction is common. AU: more vowel reduction; the first syllable might sound closer to /ˈbrɛðən/ with a softer /ð/ and a flatter final /ən/. Use IPA anchors /ˈbrɛðrən/, /ˈbrɛðən/ depending on tempo. Maintain the
Brethren originates from Old English brȳthren, a plural form related to the word for kin or brother. The root is proto-Germanic *broþer, from which modern English borrowed brōþor (brother). The term evolved to denote a group linked by shared beliefs or familial ties, often with religious or ceremonial weight. In early English usage, brethern/brethren appeared in religious texts and church Latin translations, signifying a collective of male siblings within a faith community. Over time, the sense broadened to include male members of a guild, organization, or lodge, frequently indicating a formal, bonded fellowship rather than biological relation. The word maintains a formal register and is common in religious discourse, historical writing, and ceremonial contexts. First known appearances in glossaries and Bede-era texts align with ecclesiastical language, with continuous usage in liturgy and scripture translations. While the plural form is still used in traditional or sectarian contexts, modern usage often replaces it with 'brothers' in secular settings, though the empathetic and communal nuance remains a hallmark of the term.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Brethren" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Brethren" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Brethren"
-ven sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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