4 syllables: Cat, e, go, ry. Stress on Cat.
KAT-uh-gaw-ree
/ˈkætəˌɡɔɹi/
Category is pronounced KAT-uh-gaw-ree (/ˈkætəˌɡɔɹi/). It has four syllables (Cat-e-go-ry), with the stress on "Cat". Category refers to a class or division of people or things with shared traits. It denotes a grouping concept used in classification, often implying a label within a broader system. In usage, it can describe a range or type in various contexts, from academic taxonomy to everyday categorization.
nounCategory refers to a class or division of people or things with shared traits. It denotes a grouping concept used in classification, often implying a label within a broader system. In usage, it can describe a range or type in various contexts, from academic taxonomy to everyday categorization.
- You may over-simplify the second syllable vowel, saying 'CAT-uh-GORE' instead of 'CAT-uh-GOR-ee'. Focus on keeping the final 'ee' sound distinct. - Some speakers drop the final /i/ or reduce it to a quick /i/; ensure you finish with a crisp /i/ like 'ee'. - The first syllable should be stressed; avoid preceding with a weak 'cat' that bleeds into the 'uh'. Practice with slower tempo.
How to Pronounce Category
"The category of renewable energy includes solar, wind, and hydro power."
"In this market, the snack has moved into a higher price category."
"She created a new category for her research that streamlined the analysis."
Pronounce it as /ˈkæt.ə.ɡɔːr.i/ (US) or /ˈkæt.ə.ɡɒr.i/ (UK). The primary stress lands on the first syllable 'CAT' and the final 'ry' is pronounced as 'ree' in many US pronunciations. In careful speech, enunciate each syllable clearly: CAT-uh-GOR-ee. If you have a video reference, you can align mouth shapes to the /æ/ in 'cat', then a schwa in the second syllable, and the rhotic ending /ɔːr/ (US) or /ɒr/ (UK) before the final /i/. Audio reference: match the stress peak on the first syllable and maintain a light trailing intonation on the last syllable.
Common mistakes include flattening the second syllable into a quick 'uh' and dropping the final /ri/ sound, saying 'CAT-uh-GORE' or 'CAT-uh-GOR-EE' with an overly strong /ɔː/. To correct: ensure the third syllable carries a clear /ɔː/ (US) or /ɒ/ (UK) before the final /ri/. Maintain the first syllable stress /ˈkæt/. Practice with minimal pairs like 'category' vs 'categorize' to nail the vowel and syllable boundary. Use slow repetition: CAT-uh-GOR-ee, then speed up while preserving distinct vowels.
US: rhotic /ɔːr/ in the third syllable where /r/ is pronounced; vowel qualities are tense in /ɔː/ and the final /i/ is clear. UK: non-rhotic after vowels in many varieties, so /ɔː/ may be realized without linking /r/; final /i/ can be reduced slightly in rapid speech. AU: tends toward clearer /r/ like US in many speakers, with non-phonemic /r/ depending on speaker; vowel color often closer to US. Focus on rhoticity: US and some AU varieties retain /r/ in /ɔːr/; UK typically drops post-vocalic /r/.”,
The difficulty lies in coordinating three stresses across four syllables and the mid-vowel shifts from /æ/ to /ə/ to /ɔː/ before the final /i/. The transition from a stressed first syllable to a reduced second syllable requires precise articulation to avoid a slurred 'CAT-uh-GORE-EE' or 'CAT-uh-GAR-ee'. Practicing with controlled tempo helps maintain distinct vowels and prevents blending.”,
There are no silent letters in 'category', but the challenge is maintaining the distinct /æ/ in the first syllable, and the clear, non-finalized arch of /ɔːr/ leading into /i/ in US and /ɒr/ in UK. The middle syllable is subtle: a light schwa often competes with a more pronounced /ə/ depending on speaker. The unique issue is keeping the rapid but clear transition CAT-uh-GOR-ee without blending vowels.
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- US: Emphasize rhotic /ˈkæt.ə.ɡɔːːri/ with an audible /r/ before the final /i/; the middle vowel in 'ger' is a reduced /ə/; final /i/ is a tense 'ee'. - UK: Non-rhotic tendency; /ˈkæt.ə.ɡɒr.i/ with a shorter /ɒ/ in 'gor'; final /i/ is less tense. - AU: Variation exists; often rhotic in casual speech; vowels may align closer to US in 'gor' and 'ee'; ensure the final /i/ remains audible.
Category comes from the Late Latin categoria, from Greek kategoría, meaning 'a statement of the case' or 'predicate,' from katá- 'down, according to' + hērgein 'to bring'. The shift toward the sense of 'a class or division' occurred in scholastic and scientific discourse in the 17th–18th centuries as classification systems expanded. The first known uses in English appear in the 17th century in philosophical and logical contexts, where categories were used to organize concepts, predicates, and universals. Over time, the term broadened to refer to any group sharing a common feature or set of features. The word has maintained its core sense of a labelled, organized grouping, though modern usage spans disciplines from taxonomy to data categorization. The etymology underscores categorization as an act of partitioning the world into defined segments for analysis and communication.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "Category" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "Category" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Category" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Category"
-ory 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.
