Chamomile is an aromatic, perennial herb whose small daisy-like flowers are used to make a gentle, soothing tea and medicinal infusions. The word also refers to the plant's flowers themselves. In English, it denotes a calming herb with subtle floral notes, commonly linked to wellness rituals and herbal remedies.
"I like chamomile tea before bed because it helps me relax."
"The garden was filled with chamomile, its yellow centers and white petals gleaming."
"She added chamomile to the bath to soothe her skin."
"Chamomile has been used in traditional medicine for centuries."
Chamomile derives from the Greek khamaílē (khamaíllē), meaning 'earth-apple' or 'ground apple', from khamai (to lie) and mḗlon (apple, fruit). The Latinized form chamomilla later became chamomile in English, reflecting a blend of Old French camomile and Late Latin variations. The term first entered English in the 14th century via Old French camomille, with roots in ancient Greek medical texts describing the plant’s soothing properties. Throughout the Renaissance and into modern times, chamomile’s herbals and pharmacopoeias expanded its use in teas, cosmetics, and aromatics. Over centuries, botanists differentiated Asteraceae species; the common chamomile used in tea is Matricaria chamomilla (also called German chamomile) and Chamaemelum nobile (Roman chamomile). The word’s evolution mirrors a cultural shift from medicinal herb to everyday wellness product, while retaining its core association with calm, gentle properties. First known English usage appears in the 14th–15th centuries, with terminology shifting in spelling as camomilla, camomile, and chamomile, before stabilizing in modern form by the 18th century. The spelling chamomile, though not perfectly phonetic, reflects historical pronunciation patterns and medieval manuscript conventions, making the modern pronunciation /ˈkæməˌmaɪl/ or /ˈkæm.əˌmaɪl/ visible in dictionaries today.
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Words that rhyme with "Chamomile"
-me? sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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Most English speakers say /ˈkæməˌmaɪl/ (two-syllable: CAM-uh-myle) or /ˈkæməˌmaɪl/ with the main stress on the first syllable. The second syllable typically reduces to a light /ə/ followed by /maɪl/. The vowel in the first syllable is a short a as in cat. Listener cues include a slight pause after CAM and a glide into /maɪl/. Audio references can be found in pronunciation resources and dictionaries; for authentic listening practice, check Pronounce or Forvo recordings of 'chamomile'.
Common errors include saying 'chai-moe-mill' or 'cam-o-meal'—overemphasizing or misplacing syllables. Another frequent mistake is misplacing the second syllable stress or making the second syllable sound like 'mayo' (maɪl is the target). Correct these by keeping CAM as a clear first syllable with a short a, then glide into /maɪl/ without adding an extra consonant. Practice with minimal pairs and listen to native demos on Forvo or Pronounce to tune the rhythm.
In US/UK/AU, chamomile typically lands with initial /ˈkæm-/ and a final /-maɪl/. The main rhotic variations don’t drastically alter the word itself, but vowel quality can shift slightly: US tends to a slightly tenser /æ/; UK and AU may lean toward a softer /æ/ with a marginally shorter first syllable and a crisper /maɪl/. The rhoticity of the final syllable is generally non-rhotic in British/Australian speech, but the pronunciation of the final /l/ remains light. Overall, the rhythm remains CAM-o- MAIL with slight regional vowel coloring.
The difficulty stems from the phonotactics of /ˈkæməˌmaɪl/: a two- or three-syllable word with a diphthong in the final syllable and a light schwa in the middle. The /maɪl/ sequence requires a smooth glide without breaking into /ma-ɪl/ or /mʌ-ɪl/. English speakers often insert extra vowels or misplace stress, producing 'cha-moe-mil' or 'cha-muh-mile'. Practicing with closed-mouth, controlled lip and tongue movement and listening to native exemplars helps stabilize the subtle vowel transitions and ensure the correct 2–3 beat rhythm.
The unique aspect is the tight, quick transition from /m/ to /ə/ or /æ/ to /m/ leading into /aɪl/. Focus on a clean /m/ at the onset of the second syllable, a relaxed schwa in the middle, and a clear /aɪ/ that flows into /l/. You’ll notice a slight alveolar ridge contact for /m/; avoid opening the mouth too wide between /m/ and /ə/ to keep the rhythm tight. Consistent practice with audio models will help you nail the tone and stress pattern.
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