3 syllables: Cla, ri, net. Stress on net.
kler-uh-NET
/ˌklɛɹəˈnɛt/
Clarinet is pronounced kler-uh-NET (/ˌklɛɹəˈnɛt/). It has three syllables (Cla-ri-net), with the stress on "net". Clarinet is a woodwind instrument with a single-reed mouthpiece and a conical bore. In speech, the word names this instrument and is used across music education, performance, and orchestral settings. It is pronounced with three syllables and a primary stress on the first: CLA-ri-net, reflecting its French-derived, instrument-name heritage.
nounClarinet is a woodwind instrument with a single-reed mouthpiece and a conical bore. In speech, the word names this instrument and is used across music education, performance, and orchestral settings. It is pronounced with three syllables and a primary stress on the first: CLA-ri-net, reflecting its French-derived, instrument-name heritage.
"She played a soothing melodic line on the clarinet during the concert."
"The clarinet section practiced scales for the afternoon rehearsal."
"He bought a student clarinet to begin lessons."
Pronounce as CLA-ri-net, with primary stress on the first syllable. IPA US/UK/AU: /ˈklær.ɪ.nɪt/. The mouth opens for a short, crisp initial /kl/ cluster, followed by /æ/ in the stressed vowel, then a light /r/ and a short /ɪ/ before /nɪt/. Tip: keep the /æ/ bright and the final /t/ released. Listen to a clip and mimic the cadence: CLA-ri-net. Audio references: Cambridge/Oxford pronunciations and Forvo entries can help you hear the exact vowels.
Two frequent errors: (1) Over-softening the first vowel, making it sound like /kler.ɪ.nɪt/ with a lax /æ/; ensure the /æ/ is bright as in cat. (2) Dropping the final /t/ or voicing it too soon, which blurs the word; keep the final /t/ crisp with a light release. Practice with minimal pairs like CLA-rit vs. CLA-reet to reinforce the correct vowel and consonant endings. Use a mirror and record yourself to confirm articulation.
In US/UK/AU, the stressed syllable remains on the first; the /æ/ in /klær/ can vary from a brighter /æ/ to a slightly lower /a/ in some regional accents. The /r/ is rhotic in US/AU, pronounced as a postvocalic /ɹ/; in many UK dialects, /r/ after vowels is non-rhotic, making the /r/ less audible. The final /ɪt/ tends to be clear in all; Australian English often has a flatter /æ/ and lighter /t/ closure. Listen to region-specific dictionaries and native speakers for subtle shifts.
The difficulty lies in the two- or three-step articulation: a strong initial /kl/ cluster, the bright /æ/ vowel in a stressed position, and the final /ɪt/ with a crisp /t/. Native speakers often misplace the stress or fuse the syllables in rapid speech, or slightly alter the vowel quality in casual speech. Paying attention to the released /t/ at the end and maintaining a clear /æ/ helps keep the word intelligible in fast passages.
A unique nuance is maintaining the clarity of the first syllable’s vowel /æ/ while avoiding an exaggerated /r/ in non-rhotic accents. Also, ensure your jaw stays relaxed enough to avoid flattening the /æ/ to /e/ in some dialects. The goal is a precise CLA-ri-net: crisp /kl/ onset, bright /ær/ in some variants, clean /ɪ/ before /t/. Practicing with recordings helps you lock this precise balance.
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Clarinet comes from the French clarinette, a diminutive form of clarinier, in turn derived from clarin, a diminutive of clari- meaning “to make clear” or “to brighten.” The lineage traces to late 17th-century Europe, with early clarinet-like instruments appearing in France and Germany. The instrument’s design evolved from chalumeau ancestors to a more refined single-reed mechanism in the 18th century, with keywork expanding in the Romantic era. The Clarinet’s name first appeared in English-language sources in the early 18th century as composers and instrument builders adopted the French term, cementing its status in orchestral and military bands. Over time, the clarinet acquired standardized fingerings and bore, allowing for a wide range of repertoire. The word’s pronunciation stabilized with three syllables and a stress on the first, aligning with its French-adjacent origin and the instrument’s prominence in classical and wind-band traditions.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Clarinet" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "Clarinet"
-net sounds
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