2 syllables: Cash, mere. Stress on Cash.
KAZH-mir
/ˈkæʒmɪɹ/
Cashmere is pronounced KAZH-mir (/ˈkæʒmɪɹ/). It has two syllables (Cash-mere), with the stress on "Cash". Cashmere is a noun referring to afine, soft wool spun from the undercoat of cashmere goats, or to fabrics or garments made from that wool. It denotes luxury textile quality, warmth, and a light, silky texture. In fashion and textile contexts, it often implies high-end, comfortable knitwear and soft hand-feel.
nounCashmere is a noun referring to afine, soft wool spun from the undercoat of cashmere goats, or to fabrics or garments made from that wool. It denotes luxury textile quality, warmth, and a light, silky texture. In fashion and textile contexts, it often implies high-end, comfortable knitwear and soft hand-feel.
How to Pronounce Cashmere
"She wore a cashmere sweater that felt incredibly warm and light."
"The boutique sells cashmere scarves in a range of subtle colors."
"Many people prefer cashmere for its softness over merino wool."
Pronounce it as CASH-meer (US: /ˈkæʃˌmɪr/; UK/AU: /ˈkæʃˌmɪə/). The primary stress is on the first syllable. The second syllable sounds like 'meer' with a short ‘i’ vowel depending on accent. Mouth position: start with an open front lax vowel /æ/, then transition to a reduced /mɪ/ or /mɪə/; end with a light alveolar trill-free consonant /r/ in rhotic accents or a soft vowel in non-rhotic accents. Listen for the slight glide from /æ/ to /æʃ/ before the /m/ and the final relaxed vowel in non-rhotic speech.
Common errors: shortening the second syllable to a hard /ir/ as in ‘mer’, and misplacing the stress by saying ‘cash-MER’ instead of ‘CASH-meer’. Another mistake is conflating with ‘cashmere’ as a single syllable or slurring the /ʃ/ with /ʒ/ sounds. Correction tips: maintain primary stress on first syllable, produce /ʃ/ clearly after /æ/, ensure the second syllable contains /mɪ/ or /mɪə/ with a light, fast final vowel and a non-rolled/soft /r/ for rhotic speakers. Practice with minimal pairs like ‘cashmere’ vs ‘cashmere brownie’ to reinforce syllable boundaries.
US: /ˈkæʃˌmɪɹ/ with rhotic /ɹ/ at end and a crisp /ɪ/ in second syllable. UK/AU: /ˈkæʃˌmɪə/ where the final vowel is a diphthong or close to /ə/; non-rhotic tendencies may soften /r/ in some UK varieties. Australians often merge final vowel toward /ə/ or /əː/ depending on speaker, keeping stress on first syllable. Crucial differences: rhoticity and the second syllable vowel quality; you’ll hear US speakers produce a more defined /ɪ/ while UK/AU lean to a more centralized or schwa-like /ɪə/ or /ɪə/. IPA references: US /ˈkæʃˌmɪɹ/, UK /ˈkæʃˌmɪə/, AU /ˈkæʃˌmɪə/.
Two main challenges: the short, lax /æ/ in the first syllable juxtaposed with the lighter, sometimes schwa-like second syllable; and the /ʃ/ followed by /m/ can create a subtle blending that hides the boundary between syllables in fast speech. Additionally, the final /r/ in rhotic varieties or the lack of /r/ in non-rhotic varieties can cause trailing-vowel confusion. Focus on clearly articulating /æ/ then a crisp /ʃ/, then a quick /m/ plus a stable vowel—practice with slow tempo and then accelerate.
A helpful cashmere-specific tip is to clearly separate the /æʃ/ cluster from the /m/ onset of the second syllable: say 'cash' with a distinct /æ/ then release into /ʃmɪ/ or /ʃmɪə/ without gliding the /t/ or additional consonants. This creates a clean boundary that prevents blending of the two syllables in fast speech. Practice saying ‘cash’ and then slowly add the /mɪ/ with a light, almost whispered /ɪ/ to avoid a heavy vowel.
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Cashmere originates from the Kashmir region, historically traded along the Silk Road. The term derives from the Persian word ‘kashmir’, used to describe both the geographic area and the fine, down-like wool produced there. Europeans encountered the fiber in the 18th and 19th centuries, adopting the name as the fabric industry standardized processes for weaving and knitting cashmere wool. The English word cashmere, first recorded in the 19th century, originally described the luxury fabric itself, later broadening to refer to the garment types made from that wool. Today, cashmere denotes the premium class of fibers and textiles valued for its warmth-to-weight ratio and remarkable softness, with supply and breed variations continuing to influence texture and price. First known use in English traces to 1800s fashion and textile trade descriptions, reflecting both the product and its esteemed provenance from the Himalayan region of Kashmir and neighboring areas where the fiber is produced from Cephalibulus-like coats of goats.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Cashmere" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Cashmere" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Cashmere"
-ere sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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