2 syllables: Bro, chure. Stress on chure.
broh-SHUUR
/bɹoʊˈʃʊɹ/
Brochure is pronounced broh-SHUUR (/bɹoʊˈʃʊɹ/). It has two syllables (Bro-chure), with the stress on "chure". Brochure is a small, printed pamphlet or booklet used for advertising or information. It typically contains concise details about a product, service, or event and is designed to be visually appealing and easy to skim. The term denotes a tangible marketing handout rather than a comprehensive publication.
nounBrochure is a small, printed pamphlet or booklet used for advertising or information. It typically contains concise details about a product, service, or event and is designed to be visually appealing and easy to skim. The term denotes a tangible marketing handout rather than a comprehensive publication.
"The travel agency handed out a colorful brochure about Europe."
"She kept a brochure on her desk to reference the pricing options."
"At the conference, I picked up a brochure outlining the schedule and speakers."
Phonetic guide: US /broʊˈʃʊr/ or /broʊˈʃɔːr/; UK /ˈbrəʊt͡ʃə/; AU /ˈbrəʊt͡ʃə/. Primary stress typically falls on the second syllable in many dialects: bro- SHUR. The first syllable is /bro/ with a strong /oʊ/ glide in US. Pay attention to the /ʃ/ sound before the /ər/ or /ə/ ending. A practical cue: think “brow- SHOOR” with a smooth, slightly reduced second vowel. Audio reference: listen to native speakers via Pronounce or Forvo for nuanced vowel quality.
Common errors: 1) Pronouncing as 'brochure' with a long 'o' as in ‘brow-': correct is /broʊˈʃʊr/ with a stretched /o/ in the first syllable but a lighter, centralized vowel in many US accents. 2) Misplacing stress on the first syllable: you should stress the second syllable /ˈʃʊr/ or /ɔːr/ depending on dialect. 3) Merging /ʃɚ/ into /ʃər/ without rounding the lips: ensure a slight rounding and proper tongue position for /ʃ/ + /ʊ/. Correction tips: exaggerate the 'sh' (palate) and practice with minimal pairs like shore/ sure to feel the shift.
In US English, you’ll hear broad /broʊˈʃʊr/ with rhotics; stress often on the second syllable. In UK English, /ˈbrəʊtʃə/ or /ˈbrəʊtʃər/ shows less rhoticity in some regions; the first syllable uses a more centralized /əʊ/ sound and the second is a light /ə/. In Australian English, /ˈbrəʊtʃə/ with a strong /ə/ at the end and a less emphasized second syllable, similar to UK but with Australian vowel quality. Compare vowels: US tends to preserve /oʊ/ more distinctly; UK/AU lean toward a shorter, more centralized /əʊ/ followed by a schwa-like ending.
Key challenges: the cluster -ch- followed by -ure creates a /tʃ/ plus a reduced vowel sequence that isn’t phonemically obvious. The second syllable often has a reduced vowel or schwa, which can confuse learners expecting a stronger ending. The initial /br/ combination demands a quick, rounded lip posture and a glide into /oʊ/ before the /ʃ/ sound. Mastery requires practicing the transition from /oʊ/ to /ʃ/ to avoiding a mispronunciation like /broʊʃər/ vs /broʊˈʃʊr/.
Word stress tends to be on the second syllable: /broʊˈʃʊr/ in US, /ˈbrəʊtʃə/ in UK/AU, with the second syllable carrying primary prominence in many contexts. The unique feature is the /ʃ/ sound following the first syllable and the final /r/ (in rhotic dialects) or a trailing schwa in non-rhotic variants. Focus on the vowel before /ʃ/ in the first syllable; practice differentiating /roʊ/ vs /rəʊ/ to capture the subtle quality shift.
🗣️ Voice search tip: These questions are optimized for voice search. Try asking your voice assistant any of these questions about "Brochure"!
Brochure comes from the French word brochure, meaning ‘a parchment roll or book of written leaves.’ The French term itself derives from brochier, ‘to print or engrave’ or from brochure, an airy, rolled document. In English, the sense broadened in the 17th–18th centuries to refer to a small printed sheet or a set of related pages bound or folded into a pamphlet. The evolution mirrors the growth of marketing collateral; by the 19th century, brochures became common tools for commercial advertising and informational handouts. The word’s pronunciation shift is comparatively minor in English across dialects, but the letter cluster -broch- reflects the historical French root where the “bro” syllable is pronounced with a short o, while the “chure” ending aligns with -chure as in closure or texture, though many English speakers reduce the second syllable with a lighter schwa. The first known use in English appears in the 18th century, indicating the period’s expanding print culture and the rise of structured advertising materials. In modern usage, brochure still conveys a concise, visually oriented print piece intended to inform or persuade a reader quickly.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "Brochure" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "Brochure" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Brochure" 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 "Brochure"
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.
