2 syllables: class, room. Stress on class.
KLAS-room
/ˈklæˌsɹum/
classroom is pronounced KLAS-room (/ˈklæˌsɹum/). It has two syllables (class-room), with the stress on "class". A room or area in a school designated for teaching and learning, where teachers present material and students engage with lessons. It is typically equipped with desks, a board, and instructional tools. The term emphasizes a formal, organized space for classroom activities and interactions.
A room or area in a school designated for teaching and learning, where teachers present material and students engage with lessons. It is typically equipped with desks, a board, and instructional tools. The term emphasizes a formal, organized space for classroom activities and interactions.
Actionable tips:练习 with two-person shadowing, use a mirror to monitor lip rounding in /uː/ and keep the tongue close to the palate for /æ/ or /ɑː/ depending on your accent. Record yourself and compare to a native reference; slow down to ensure crisp consonants and accurate vowel length.
"The teacher invited new students into the classroom and introduced the lesson."
"She rearranged the desks to create a collaborative classroom environment."
"During the seminar, the classroom buzzed with questions and discussion."
Pronounce it as /ˈklæsˌrum/ (US) or /ˈklɑːsˌruːm/ (UK). The stress falls on the first syllable: CLASS-room. Begin with a short 'a' as in 'cat' and end with a rounded long 'oo' sound in UK pronunciation. In careful pronunciation you should connect the two syllables but maintain a clear boundary between /æ/ and /ɹuː/. You’ll often hear a light linking to minimize pause between syllables in natural speech.
Common errors: turning the second syllable into a short, lax 'uh' or an 'oom' with mis-timed r-lessness. Some speakers reduce /ˈklæs/ to /klæs/ and skip the pronounced /ɹuːm/. Correction: keep /ˈklæs/ clearly and produce a distinct /ˌrum/ with a light rhotic /ɹ/ and a rounded /uː/ in slow speech, then blend by a gentle fast transition in natural speech.
In US English, /ˈklæsˌrum/ with rhotic /r/ and a shorter second vowel; stress on first syllable. UK English uses /ˈklɑːsˌruːm/ with a long /ɑː/ and a pronounced /ruːm/ ending, often less rhotic in older varieties but modern UK includes rhoticity for many speakers. Australian English aligns with UK for the /ˈklɑːsˌruːm/ pattern, with a slightly centralized or realized /ɹ/ depending on speaker. The timing of the schwa-like shortening can vary per region too, but the primary stress remains on the first syllable.
Because of the vowel sequence across two syllables and the ending /ruːm/. The /æ/ vs /ɑː/ in the first syllable challenges vowel placement; the /r/ is also subtlely rhotacized depending on accent, and the /uː/ in the second syllable requires lip rounding while the tongue moves from alveolar to high back position. Practicing with controlled vowel length and a crisp boundary between the syllables helps.
Yes: the strong initial /kl/ onset and the two-syllable rhythm: a clear /klæ/ or /klɑːs/ followed by a distinct /ruːm/. Focus on articulating the /l/ and /ɹ/ separately, and ensure the /ˈ/ primary stress sits on the first syllable. The transition from the /s/ to the /r/ is a point where many learners blur: keep the /s/ crisp, then immediately shape the /r/ with a relaxed tongue and slight curling tip.
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US: rhotic /ɹ/ clearly; short /æ/. UK/AU: longer /ɑː/ for initial vowel; /ruːm/ longer, with rounded lips. Vowel quality: /æ/ vs /ɑː/ is a key difference. Lip rounding increases for /uː/ in both UK and AU. IPA references: US /ˈklæsˌɹuːm/; UK /ˈklɑːsˌruːm/; AU /ˈklɑːsˌɹuːm/. Practice with minimal pairs to feel the shift: CAT vs CART, LASH vs LARSH, ROOT vs RUUM.
The term classroom originates from the combination of 'class' and 'room.' 'Class' comes from the Latin 'classis' meaning a group or division, which transitioned into the Old French 'classe' and the Middle English sense of a group of students meeting for instruction. 'Room' derives from Old English 'rūm,' meaning space or a place that can be occupied. The modern sense—an interior space designated for instruction with a teacher and students—emerged in the early modern period as formal schooling and standardized classrooms became common in Europe and subsequently in North America. By the 19th and 20th centuries, classrooms evolved into purpose-built spaces featuring desks in rows, chalkboards, and later technological aids, solidifying the compound noun as the standard descriptor in educational institutions. Over time, 'classroom' has also taken on metaphorical uses (e.g., 'classroom of the world'), but its primary meaning remains a physical instructional space.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "classroom" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "classroom" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "classroom" and show contrast in usage.
📚 Vocabulary tip: Learning synonyms and antonyms helps you understand nuanced differences in meaning and improves your word choice in speaking and writing.
Words that rhyme with "classroom"
-oom sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
🎵 Rhyme tip: Practicing with rhyming words helps you master similar sound patterns and improves your overall pronunciation accuracy.
