4 syllables: Chro, no, lo, gy. Stress on no.
kruh-NAH-luh-jee
/kɹəˈnɑlədʒi/
Chronology is pronounced kruh-NAH-luh-jee (/kɹəˈnɑlədʒi/). It has four syllables (Chro-no-lo-gy), with the stress on "no". Chronology is the science or method of arranging events in the order of their occurrence in time. It also refers to a timeline of events, often presented as a sequence. The term emphasizes sequencing and temporal relationships rather than causation or interpretation, and is commonly used in history, archaeology, and project planning contexts.
nounChronology is the science or method of arranging events in the order of their occurrence in time. It also refers to a timeline of events, often presented as a sequence. The term emphasizes sequencing and temporal relationships rather than causation or interpretation, and is commonly used in history, archaeology, and project planning contexts.
"The chronology of the civil war was established through dated letters and official records."
"She created a chronology of the suspect’s movements from cameras and witness statements."
"The museum exhibit traces a chronology of technological innovations."
Pronunciation: /krəˈnɒlɪdʒi/ (US/UK) with primary stress on the second syllable: kro-NOL-i-gy. Break it as chro- nol - o - gy, but the middle syllable carries the peak stress. Start with a short /kr/ onset, reduce the first vowel to schwa, then a clear /nɒ/ or /nɑ/ depending on accent, followed by /lɪ/ and end with /dʒi/. In careful speech, the 'logy' part is /lədʒi/ or /lə.dʒi/, with the /dʒ/ as in “judge.” Audio reference: listen for /krəˈnɒlɪdʒi/ in pronunciation resources and mirror the body-free jaw positioning while maintaining a steady pace to avoid adding extra syllables.
Common mistakes include misplacing the stress, saying /krəˈnoʊlədʒi/ with a long 'o' in the second syllable, and softening the /l/ or turning /lɒ/ into /lɔ/ due to native-language influence. Correct it by focusing on the stressed /ˈnɒl/ syllable and keeping /r/ as a light, quick onset. Practicing with minimal pairs like 'monitor' vs 'monologue' can help you align the rhythm. Finally, avoid elongating the final -gy; it should be a quick /dʒi/ rather than /dʒiː/.
In US and UK, the primary stress remains on the second syllable: /krəˈnɒlɪdʒi/. Australia generally mirrors UK pronunciation but may feature slightly flatter vowels in the unstressed syllables: /krəˈnɒlɪdʒi/. The rhoticity in US speech can affect the preceding /r/, but in CHRO-NOL-ogy the /r/ is light; in non-rhotic varieties the r-like quality is reduced. Vowel quality in the first vowel is typically schwa in all three, but Australians may have a more centralized /ə/ in connected speech. Overall, the rhythm remains iambic-ish: unstressed-stressed-unstressed-unstressed.
Difficulties stem from the sequence of consonants and vowels: the /kr/ onset, the /nɒ/ nucleus with a short, open back vowel, and the /lɪ/ followed by the /dʒi/ cluster. The /dʒ/ sound requires precise tongue tip contact behind the upper teeth, and the shifting vowel sounds across unstressed syllables can blur quickly in rapid speech. Additionally, the word alternates between a smooth 'n,' 'l' transition and a crisp affricate at the end. Practicing slow, deliberate articulation with IPA guidance helps stabilize the rhythm.
The conventional pronunciation uses a short, clear /ˈnɒl/ in the second syllable, not /nally/. The cluster lands as /ˈnɒl/ with a consonantal 'l' followed by the schwa-less 'dʒi' ending. Avoid inserting an extra vowel after 'nol' before the 'o' sound; keep it tight: /krəˈnɒlɪdʒi/. If you hear “nally,” you’re smoothing or adding an extra syllable; recalibrate by saying /nɒl/ as a single, solid syllable before the /ɪdʒi/.
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US: /krəˈnɒlɪdʒi/ with rhotic /r/ and a more pronounced /ɒ/ in the stressed syllable; keep unstressed vowels reduced to /ə/. UK: /krəˈnɒlɪdʒi/ with shorter, crisper /ɒ/; non-rhoticity means /r/ is less pronounced; maintain a clear /dʒ/ at the end. AU: /krəˈnɒlɪdʒi/ similar to UK; often faster connected speech, so practice linking: /krəˈnɒlɪdʒi/ → /krəˈnɒlɪdʒi/ in a single breath. Vowel notes: the /ɒ/ in stressed syllable is open back rounded, avoid turning into /ɔː/; keep it short. Consonant notes: /kr/ onset should be tight; /n/ before /ɒ/ should be a clean nasal without stifling the /ɒ/. Practice tip: slow, then speed up while maintaining stress and the /dʒ/ release.
Chronology comes from the Greek words chrōn, meaning “time” or “a definite part of time,” and -logia, meaning “the study of” or “speaking about.” The term first appeared in English in the early 17th century, drawing from medieval and classical scholarly traditions that organized knowledge by time. The root chrōn evolved into various English forms tied to timekeeping and dating, and -logia migrated to English via Latin from Greek. While early uses were primarily literary and historical, by the 19th and 20th centuries chronology became a standard descriptor in archaeology, geology, astronomy, and historiography, where accurate sequencing of events is essential. Over time, the word expanded to include any methodical arrangement of events, dates, or periods, including modern project management and data timelines. This expansion reflects a shift from purely historical sequencing to practical, information-structuring tools across disciplines.
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Words that rhyme with "Chronology"
-ogy sounds
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