4 syllables: ce, le, bra, tions. Stress on bra.
sel-uh-BRAY-shuhnz
/ˌsɛləˈbɹeɪʃənz/
celebrations is pronounced sel-uh-BRAY-shuhnz (/ˌsɛləˈbɹeɪʃənz/). It has four syllables (ce-le-bra-tions), with the stress on "bra". Celebrations refers to events or occasions marked with joy or festivities. It often denotes gatherings, rituals, or activities performed to honor or commemorate a special moment. The term can describe both collective public events and personal milestones, typically characterized by cheer, ceremonies, and celebratory expressions.
Celebrations refers to events or occasions marked with joy or festivities. It often denotes gatherings, rituals, or activities performed to honor or commemorate a special moment. The term can describe both collective public events and personal milestones, typically characterized by cheer, ceremonies, and celebratory expressions.
- You may drop the second syllable vowel, saying /ˌsɛlˈbreɪʃənz/ as /ˌsɛlˈbreɪʒənz/. Keep the /ɪ/ in the first unstressed syllable crisp: /ˌsɛlɪˈbreɪʃənz/. - The /t͡ʃ/ blend can be smudged into /ʃ/ or /t/; practice a clean /t͡ʃ/ before /ənz/. - Final consonants: avoid turning /z/ into /s/ in plural contexts after voiced sounds; keep /z/ for natural rhythm.
"The town organized several celebrations to mark the centennial anniversary."
"Farmers’ markets are a weekly celebration of local produce and crafts."
"They held a quiet celebration after the team clinched the championship."
Pronounce as /ˌsɛlɪˈbreɪʃənz/, with primary stress on the third syllable (breɪ). Start with /ˌsɛl-/, move to /ɪˈbreɪ-/, and end with /-t͡ʃənz/ approximated as /-ʃənz/; lips rounded for /eɪ/. In connected speech you may hear a quick /-brā-shənz/ with softer /t͡ʃ/ sound, but keep the /breɪ/ as the strongest syllable. Reference audio via pronunciations in Cambridge/Oxford or Forvo for native patterns.
Common errors: misplacing stress (putting focus on the first syllable); mispronouncing /ˈbreɪ/ as /brɜː/ or /breɪ/ with reduced vowel; omitting the /t͡ʃ/ blend before -ənz, or flattening the final /z/ into /s/. Correction: emphasize the /breɪ/ with a crisp /t͡ʃ/ followed by a clear /ənz/. Practice saying /ˌsɛlɪˈbreɪʃənz/ slowly, then speed up maintaining the /breɪ/ peak.
In US: rhotic /r/ is not prominent in the second syllable; final /z/ blends with /n/ in rapid speech. In UK: non-rhotic /r/; the /ɪ/ in the first unstressed syllable is shorter; /ˈbreɪ/ is crisp with less jaw drop. In AU: similar to UK with slightly broader vowel qualities; vowel lengthening in some speakers. Across all, the /ˌsɛlɪ/ part remains light; the main emphasis remains on /breɪ/.
The difficulty comes from the three syllable rhythm with a strong /breɪ/ peak in the third syllable, plus the /t͡ʃ/ blend preceding the -ənz suffix. Beginners often misplace stress or flatten the /ɪ/ to schwa, or reduce /breɪ/ to /brə/. Paying attention to the tricky /t͡ʃ/ transition and the final nasal + z can help you sound natural.
Note the sequence -bra- before -tions; the -bra- carries the primary stress in many realizations; the suffix -tions is pronounced with a light /t͡ʃənz/ or /ʃənz/; ensuring the /ɪ/ in the first unstressed syllable is not reduced too aggressively helps maintain clarity, especially in fast speech.
🗣️ Voice search tip: These questions are optimized for voice search. Try asking your voice assistant any of these questions about "celebrations"!
US: rhotic R support minimal, vowels a bit more centralized; /ə/ in unaccented syllables reduced. UK: non-rhotic R, crisper /ɪ/ and /eɪ/, and more clipped final /z/. AU: similar to UK but with broader vowel qualities and stronger vowel length in stressed syllables. Use IPA references to guide listening and imitation.
The word celebrations comes from the verb celebrate, which derives from the Latin celebrare, meaning to frequent, honor, or pay homage. Celebrare itself combines cens-, a root linked to honoring or calling as well as to the naming of a public rite, with the suffix -are. The English noun celebrations first appeared in the late Middle English period, with senses tied to acts of religious or communal festivity. By the 16th–17th centuries, the term broadened to include secular and social events that commemorate milestones and achievements. Over time, celebrations evolved from formal, ritualized observances to a broader sense encompassing any joyful gathering or ceremony—birthdays, national holidays, weddings, and community festivals. The word retains its core sense of communal recognition and happiness, while modern usage often emphasizes the festive atmosphere, inclusive participation, and the symbolic importance of shared joy.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "celebrations" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "celebrations" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "celebrations" 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 "celebrations"
-ons 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.
