2 syllables: Chip, munk. Stress on Chip.
CHIP-muhngk
/ˈtʃɪpməŋk/
Chipmunk is pronounced CHIP-muhngk (/ˈtʃɪpməŋk/). It has two syllables (Chip-munk), with the stress on "Chip". Chipmunk is a small, striped rodent native to North America, known for its energetic behavior and cheek pouches. It typically forages for seeds and nuts, storing surplus in its cheeks. Used metaphorically to describe a lively, nimble person or thing. The term combines CHIP with MUNK, emphasizing a swift, chippy character.
nounChipmunk is a small, striped rodent native to North America, known for its energetic behavior and cheek pouches. It typically forages for seeds and nuts, storing surplus in its cheeks. Used metaphorically to describe a lively, nimble person or thing. The term combines CHIP with MUNK, emphasizing a swift, chippy character.
"A cheerful chipmunk darted across the yard, gathering fallen acorns."
"We spotted a chipmunk near the berry bush, cheeks puffed with food."
"The kids read a story about a clever chipmunk who outwits a crow."
Chipmunk is pronounced with two syllables: CHI P-MUNK, but most speakers merge into two beats: /ˈtʃɪpˌmʌŋk/. The first syllable has the /tʃ/ sound as in 'chip' and a short /ɪ/ vowel; the second syllable centers on /mʌŋk/. The primary stress is on the first syllable, with a lighter secondary emphasis on the second. Tip: keep the jaw slightly open for the /ɪ/ and finish sharply with /mʌŋk/. Audio reference: you can check Cambridge or Forvo for native recordings of /ˈtʃɪpˌmʌŋk/.
Common errors include flattening the /i/ to a lax /ɪ/ with reduced duration, and mispronouncing the second syllable as /mʌŋk/ with a reduced final nasal. Another frequent misstep is de-emphasizing the initial /tʃ/ and turning it into a simple /t/ or /ʃ/. Correction: keep the /tʃ/ onset crisp, hold /ɪ/ briefly, and end with a clean /mʌŋk/ cluster, ensuring the /ŋ/ is clearly articulated before the final /k/.
Across US/UK/AU, the word remains two syllables with the same primary stress. US and UK pronunciations share /ˈtʃɪpˌmʌŋk/. Australian often maintains the same vowel qualities, but you might hear a slightly more open /ʌ/ or a briefer /ɪ/ depending on regional speech. The rhotic difference is not strong here since /tʃ/ and /m/ clusters anchor the syllables; rhythm and vowel timing may vary slightly.
The difficulty lies in the /tʃ/ onset followed by a short /ɪ/ and a rapid /mʌŋk/ cluster, which requires precise tongue movement from a palatal affricate to a nasal plus velar stop. The final /ŋk/ combo can be challenging for non-native speakers, especially when trying to avoid a retracted or shortened /ŋ/. Practice tip: isolate the onset, then practice the second syllable as a single cluster with a clean nasal plus velar /ŋk/ release.
A common unique aspect is the strong preference for crisp /tʃ/ and an even, clipped /ˈtʃɪp/ before the heavier /ˌmʌŋk/. In fast speech, you may hear the /ɪ/ reduced toward a near-schwa, and the /mʌŋk/ may blur into /mʌŋk/ with less precise final release. To maintain accuracy, practice with the word in connected speech and exaggerate the initial /tʃ/ before returning to natural speed.
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US: keep rhotic influence minimal here; vowel duration even, with a crisp /tʃ/. UK: slight tension on /ɪ/; maintain non-rhoticity yet keep vowel clean; AU: a touch broader /ɪ/ and /ʌ/ with a quick, decisive /ŋk/ release. IPA references: US /ˈtʃɪpˌmʌŋk/, UK /ˈtʃɪpˌmʌŋk/, AU /ˈtʃɪpˌmʌŋk/.
Chipmunk derives from the Odawa word gci Munk, which traveled into Algonquian language groups and then into English via early explorers and naturalists in the 18th century. The first part, chip-, is an attempt to capture the animal’s chippy, quick movements or perhaps the sound it makes while gnawing. The second part, mun k, is a phonetic simplification of a native term for the creature, commonly anglicized as 'munk'. In 1769, naturalists began using 'chipmunk' in American publications, though earlier references described the animal as a 'ground squirrel' or 'harvest mouse' depending on region. By the 19th century, chipmunk became the standard common name in North American field guides and zoological texts, while nonstandard spellings occasionally appeared in popular fiction. Today, chipmunk retains both a precise zoological meaning (a small Marmota or related genus member with stripes and cheek pouches) and a flexible colloquial sense (any lively, busy person).
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Chipmunk" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Chipmunk" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Chipmunk"
-unk sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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