4 syllables: Cler, es, to, ry. Stress on Cler.
KLIR-is-taw-ree
/ˈklɪɹɪˌstɔɹi/
Clerestory is pronounced KLIR-is-taw-ree (/ˈklɪɹɪˌstɔɹi/). It has four syllables (Cler-es-to-ry), with the stress on "Cler". Clerestory is a noun describing a high, vertical window or row of windows set above eye level to bring light into a room, typically found in churches or large halls. It refers to the upper-story windows that illuminate interior spaces without admitting direct glare. The term emphasizes architectural function and daylight distribution rather than decorative purpose.
nounClerestory is a noun describing a high, vertical window or row of windows set above eye level to bring light into a room, typically found in churches or large halls. It refers to the upper-story windows that illuminate interior spaces without admitting direct glare. The term emphasizes architectural function and daylight distribution rather than decorative purpose.
- You often add an extra schwa after the /r/ in /ˈklɪrəs/; instead, compress to a light /ɹə/ that flows into /stɔːr/. - Misplacing the stress or elongating the first syllable; keep stress on CLER, with a brief secondary emphasis on ‘tory’ in fast speech. - Final /ri/ can become a vowel-like /ri/ or /riː/; aim for a crisp /ri/ ending.
How to Pronounce Clerestory
"The medieval cathedral features a row of clerestories that flood the nave with sunlight."
"Architects used clerestories to brighten the interior while preserving wall space for art."
"The clerestory windows create a soft, diffused light ideal for reading."
Pronounce as CLER-es-tor-y with primary stress on CLER. IPA US: /ˈklɪrəs.tɔːri/; UK: /ˈklɪər.ɪ.stɔː.ri/; Australian: /ˈklɪə.rɒː.stə.ɹi/?
Common mistakes: over-splitting syllables into 'cleer-ES-tor-ee' or flattening the first vowel to /iː/. Correct by keeping /ɪ/ in the first vowel of CLER (/klɪr/), ensuring the middle syllable is unstressed /əs/ and the final /ri/ is light. Aim for CLER-ə-stɔr-i in some accents; avoid turning it into ‘clear-ess-tor-ee’.
US tends to /ˈklɪrəs.tɔːri/ with rhotic /r/ in the first syllable and a clear /ɔː/ in tory. UK often uses a smoother /ˈklɪə.rɪ.stɔː.ri/ or /ˈklɪə.rɪˌstɔː.ri/ with non-rhoticity in some speakers and a longer vowel in the first syllable. Australian tends to /ˈklɪə.rə.stɔː.ɹi/ with elongated final vowel and a flapped or tapped /ɹ/ at the end depending on speaker. IPA variants reflect vowel quality shifts among regions.
Two main challenges: the mid-second syllable /əs/ reduction and the ending /ri/ where Australians may use a syllabic or non-syllabic /ɹ/; the combination of /r/ in US vs non-rhotic UK can surprise learners. The first syllable /klɪr/ blends quickly with /əs/; ensure the syllable boundary is heard, but don’t insert extra vowel. Practice the cluster /r/ followed by a light schwa and the long /ɔː/ in 'tory'.
Why is the sequence 'rəs.tɔːr' challenging? The /r/ followed by a reduced /əs/ and subsequent 'tɔːr' requires a quick transition from rhotic to a tense back rounded /ɔː/. Focus on keeping the /r/ minimal tongue movement before the central vowel, then glide into the long /ɔː/ for 'tory'.
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- US: emphasize rhotic /r/ in CLER; reduce the /ɪ/ to a quick /ɪ/ then a soft /r/; UK: link CLER to a clipped /ɪə/ or /ɪə/ depending on speaker, less rhotic; AU: often a smoother /ɪə/ or /iə/ between /ə/ and /ɔː/; incorporate IPA comparisons: US /ˈklɪrəs.tɔːri/, UK /ˈklɪə.rɪ.stɔːr.i/, AU /ˈklɪə.rə.stɔː.ɹi/.
Clerestory derives from Late Latin clerestoria, from cler- “clear, bright” + a suffix forming a place-noun akin to ‘story’ or ‘storey,’ reflecting its architectural purpose of admitting light. The prefix cler- relates to clarity or light, akin to Latin clarus. The term appears in architectural discourse in the medieval period, reflecting innovations in stone churches where large roofs and high walls limited interior illumination. The earliest appearances of clerestory sections in cathedrals date to Early Modern Latin and medieval Latin texts describing churches with elevated windows to illuminate the nave. By the Renaissance and later architectural treatises, clerestories became standard feature in basilicas and large halls, enabling daylighting without compromising wall space for decoration or structural elements. The modern usage remains anchored in historical architectural vocabulary, though the word is primarily encountered in architectural history and building design documentation rather than everyday conversation. Its semantic evolution tracks with architectural advancements in vertical fenestration and the expanding need for interior daylight to enhance visibility and ambiance in large interior volumes.
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Words that rhyme with "Clerestory"
-ory sounds
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