3 syllables: Bri, be, ry. Stress on Bri.
BREYE-bur-ee
/ˈbɹaɪbɚi/
Bribery is pronounced BREYE-bur-ee (/ˈbɹaɪbɚi/). It has three syllables (Bri-be-ry), with the stress on "Bri". Bribery is the act of giving or receiving something of value to influence the actions of an individual in a position of authority. It typically involves an illicit exchange intended to sway decisions, policies, or outcomes. The term covers both offering and accepting inducements, often with corrupt intent, and is illegal in most jurisdictions.
nounBribery is the act of giving or receiving something of value to influence the actions of an individual in a position of authority. It typically involves an illicit exchange intended to sway decisions, policies, or outcomes. The term covers both offering and accepting inducements, often with corrupt intent, and is illegal in most jurisdictions.
"The contractor was charged with bribery after offering a government official money to secure the contract."
"Corporate ethics policies prohibit bribery and require transparent procurement processes."
"Evidence of bribery led to a high-profile investigation and several resignations."
Say BRY-buh-ree. It’s /ˈbraɪ.bə.ɹi/ in US/UK/Australian standards. Primary stress on the first syllable. The middle syllable is a schwa (ə), and the final syllable is an /i/ as in 'see' or an /i/ with slight syllabic r in some accents. Tip: keep the /br/ cluster clear, then relax the middle vowel.
Common errors include truncating the middle syllable to a quick /brī-b-/, saying /ˈbrɪbəri/ with a short I in the first syllable, and overemphasizing the final /ri/ as /ri:/. Correct these by ensuring the diphthong in the first syllable is /aɪ/ (BRY), use a relaxed /ə/ for the middle, and end with a light /ri/ or /ri/ without turning into a separate vowel-consonant cluster.
In US/UK/AU, BRY is /ˈbraɪ/ with the same initial cluster. US rhotics may render the final /ri/ softly as /ri/; non-rhotic UK varieties may drop post-vocalic R in rapid speech but usually keep final /ri/. Australian English often aligns with non-rhotic tendencies but shows a slightly broader /aɪ/ vowel in BRY. Overall the key differences are vowel quality and rhotacization in rapid speech.
Two main challenges: the mid syllable reduces to a weak schwa, which many speakers over-articulate, and the /br/ onset with a tight /ɹ/ can blur in connected speech. The /aɪ/ diphthong in /braɪ/ can vary in length, especially in American fast speech. Practicing the sequence BRY + schwa + ree helps stabilize the rhythm and avoids running the final /ri/ into the preceding syllable.
Is the 'ri' at the end pronounced as a hard 'ee' sound or a schwa + 'ee' in rapid speech? In careful pronunciation, end with /ri/ (short, unstressed /ɹi/), not /riː/. In fast or casual speech you may hear /ˈbraɪ.bɹi/ with a reduced final vowel. Maintaining a distinct, lightly articulated final /i/ helps clarity, especially in legal or formal contexts.
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US: emphasize rhotic /ɹ/ and clear /ə/ in the middle; UK: less rhoticity, final /ri/ often shortened; AU: similar to US with slightly broader diphthongs in /aɪ/. IPA references: /ˈbraɪ.bə.ɹi/ (US), /ˈbraɪ.bə.ri/ (UK/ AU). Focus on keeping the BR- cluster crisp, mid syllable relaxed, and final /i/ precise.
Bribery derives from the noun bribe (to coax or influence by money or gifts) plus the -ery noun-forming suffix, dating from Middle English. Bribe itself comes from Old French bribe, meaning ‘a morsel, reward’ and from Medieval Latin brībāre, meaning ‘to chew, bite,’ figuratively extended to ‘to excite appetite or influence by money.’ In English, bribe appeared in the 14th–15th centuries as a criminal or corrupt act. By the 16th–17th centuries, bribery became formalized in legal traditions, with statutes prohibiting it in governance and commerce. The word evolved to encompass the broader act of offering or receiving illicit incentives, not limited to money but including gifts, favors, or services. Over time, the noun form bribery solidified as the general term for corrupt inducement and its legal and ethical implications in modern societies.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Bribery" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "Bribery"
-ery sounds
-me) sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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