3 syllables: cap, i, tals. Stress on cap.
/ˈkæpɪtəlz/
Say it backCapitals is the plural form of capital, referring to cities that serve as seat of government, or to uppercase letters in typography. The term can appear in political, administrative, or academic contexts, and is used to denote primary status or importance. In everyday usage, it often contrasts with provinces or states, or with lowercase letters in writing and printing.
"The capitals of the country are hosting an international summit next month."
"In writing, you should start proper nouns with capitals."
"Many people confuse capital cities with financial capitals such as New York or London’s business districts."
Pronounce as /ˈkæ.pɪ.təlz/ in US/UK/AU, with primary stress on the first syllable. Break it into four segments: CAP-i-tals. Start with a short, plain /æ/ as in 'cat', then a reduced middle /ɪ/ sound in the second syllable, a clear /ə/ (schwa) in the third, and end with /lz/ as a voiced 'l' plus 'z' consonant cluster. Keep the 't' light, not a heavy flip. Register a smooth, even tempo across all syllables.
Common errors include truncating to three syllables (cap-i-tals) or over-pronouncing the middle vowel (/ɪ/). Another frequent slip is turning the final /z/ into /s/ or dropping the final /z/ entirely. Correct by maintaining four syllables with a light but audible final /z/, and keep the /t/ between the second and third syllables subtle rather than strong. Practice the CV-CV-CV-CZ rhythm to stabilize the pattern.
Across US/UK/AU, the pronunciation is largely the same for capitals, with rhotic differences affecting preceding vowel quality in some speakers. In US and AU, /ˈkæ.pɪ.təlz/ is common; UK speakers may slightly reduce /ɪ/ and/or use a marginally clearer /ə/ in the third syllable. The primary difference you might hear is the length of vowels in rapid speech and the voicing of final /z/ depending on liaison and surrounding words.
The difficulty lies in maintaining four distinct syllables in fluid speech and producing the final /z/ after a syllabic /təl/ cluster. Many speakers blend /pɪ/ and /təl/ or reduce the middle vowels, which compresses the word into three syllables. Ensure you articulate /p/ and /t/ clearly, avoid t-glottalization, and end with an audible /z/ for plural accuracy.
Focus on preserving the four-syllable cadence: /ˈkæ.pɪ.təlz/. The 't' should be light but present, and the final /z/ must be clearly voiced. Be mindful of the schwa-like /ə/ in the third syllable; it often reduces in rapid speech, so practice with a consistent /ə/ to avoid 'cap-it-als' slurring. Visualize a staircase: CAP – i – təl – z, and glide smoothly between segments.
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Capital derives from the Old French capital, from Latin capitalis, meaning 'of the head' or 'head city', from capitalis ‘head’ (caput, ‘head’). The modern sense emerged in Middle English as a political term for cities that command authority or governance, and in typography as the uppercase form of letters signifying importance or emphasis. The plural capitals appeared as the noun capital took plural senses, including multiple cities serving as capitals, and uppercase letters used in writing extend to many languages with similar historical roots. First attested senses in English during the late medieval period referred to chief cities; the meaning expanded in the 16th–18th centuries to cover financial and symbolic prominence as well as uppercase typography in printing. Over time, ‘capital’ also came to describe capital goods or capital resources in economics, broadening from the city-centric sense to wealth and resources related to power and governance.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "capitals" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "capitals" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "capitals" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "capitals"
-als 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.
