2 syllables: class, mates. Stress on class.
KLAS-mayts
/ˈklæˌsmeɪts/
classmates is pronounced KLAS-mayts (/ˈklæˌsmeɪts/). It has two syllables (class-mates), with the stress on "class". Classmates refers to people who share the same class or course with you, typically peers at school or university. The term denotes a social and academic peer group within a classroom context. It is a plural noun and often functions as a subject or object in sentences, highlighting a collective of peers rather than individuals.
Classmates refers to people who share the same class or course with you, typically peers at school or university. The term denotes a social and academic peer group within a classroom context. It is a plural noun and often functions as a subject or object in sentences, highlighting a collective of peers rather than individuals.
"The class representatives organized a study session with their classmates."
"During lunch, I sat with my classmates to compare notes."
"Our project team included several classmates from different majors."
Pronounce as /ˈklæsˌmeɪts/. The primary stress falls on the first syllable 'clas', with a secondary, lighter stress on 'mates'. Mouth positions: start with a short front vowel /æ/ as in 'cat', then glide to /eɪ/ in 'mates'. The final /ts/ is a sharp voiceless alveolar affricate; ensure your tongue touches the alveolar ridge and releases with a small burst. Listen for a crisp ending; try saying it slowly: klas-mates, then speed up while maintaining the same intonation. IPA helps anchor the exact vowels and consonant timings.
Two frequent errors: (1) misplacing the primary stress, pronouncing it as 'clas-mates' with primary stress on the second syllable; (2) blending the /t/ and /s/ into a 'tss' cluster or releasing the final /ts/ too softly. Correct by solidifying the /ˈklæs/ onset with a full short /æ/ and clearly releasing /t/ before the /s/. Practice with slow phonetic drills and minimal pairs like 'class' vs 'clasp' to feel the boundary. Ensure the /meɪts/ part remains a clear, single syllable with a precise /eɪ/ glide.
US speakers typically have /ˈklæsˌmeɪts/, with a strong /æ/ in the first syllable and a clear /eɪ/ in the second; rhotics are not a factor here. UK speakers may use /ˈklɑːsˌmeɪts/, with a longer, backer first vowel and slightly reduced rhotic influence; Australians often approximate /ˈklæˌsmets/ or /ˈklæsˌmeɪts/, with a tighter vowel quality in the first syllable. Core rhythm remains two syllables with a prominent first-stress, but vowel height and quality shift subtly toward regional norms. Listening to native speakers helps map exact vowel shifts.
Two challenges: first, the two-syllable structure with a distinct stress shift can trip you up in fast speech; second, the final /ts/ requires a crisp alveolar release that many learners blend into /s/ or /t/ sounds. Focus on a clear /t/ release before /s/, and maintain a crisp onset /kl/ cluster. Practice with slow drills, then progressively speed up while maintaining the clear boundary between /klæs/ and /meɪts/. IPA references help anchor precise mouth positions.
No, there are no silent letters in 'classmates'. All letters contribute to phoneme production: /k/ in /kl/ onset, /l/ in the c-l blend, /æ/ in /æ/, /s/ in final consonant blend of the first syllable, and /meɪts/ with /m/, /eɪ/, and /t/ + /s/. The clarity of /t/ before /s/ is essential for correct pronunciation. Ensure you articulate each phoneme, especially the /t/ release, rather than merging it into a long /s/.
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Classmates is formed from class + -mate, where class comes from Latin classis, meaning a division or set of people in a community or military unit, and mate from Old English gemǣtta, from gemyttian meaning to join or meet. The compound first appeared in English in the late 19th to early 20th century as education systems expanded and schools emphasized group participation; classmates referred to students who share the same class. Over time, its usage broadened beyond literal classroom peers to denote any group of equals within a shared context, preserving the sense of equal standing among a defined group. The word captures social cohesion among students who learn together, with the plural form indicating multiple individuals as a collective.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "classmates" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "classmates" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "classmates"
-ats sounds
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