3 syllables: Co, lo, ny. Stress on Co.
KAH-luh-nee
/ˈkɑləni/
Colony is pronounced KAH-luh-nee (/ˈkɑləni/). It has three syllables (Co-lo-ny), with the stress on "Co". Colony is a group of people or organisms living together and functioning as a single unit, often under a common leadership or origin. In biology or sociology, it refers to a population living in a new area but dependent on a parent group. The term also covers a political context, where a territory is governed by a distant state. It can describe a community established for trade or settlement.
nounColony is a group of people or organisms living together and functioning as a single unit, often under a common leadership or origin. In biology or sociology, it refers to a population living in a new area but dependent on a parent group. The term also covers a political context, where a territory is governed by a distant state. It can describe a community established for trade or settlement.
How to Pronounce Colony
"The colony of ants built an intricate network of tunnels."
"Australia began as a British colony in the 18th century."
"Scientists studied a colony of bacteria under the microscope."
COL-uh-nee, with primary stress on the first syllable. IPA: US /ˈkɑː.lə.ni/, UK /ˈkɒl.ə.ni/, AU /ˈkɒ.lə.ni/. The middle vowel is a schwa in many speakers: /lə/ in the second syllable. Ensure the /k/ is aspirated, the /l/ is clear, and the final /i/ is a light, unstressed vowel. Audio cues: start with a strong, open /k/ and then a relaxed /ə/ followed by /ni/.
Common mistakes are neutralizing the first syllable to /kɒl/ or misplacing stress on the second syllable /ˈkoʊ.lə.ni/. Another frequent error is a tense, clipped /ni/ at the end. Correction: keep the final /i/ light and quick, not elongated; keep the first syllable open with /ɒ/ or /ɑː/ depending on accent, and confirm clear /lə/ between /k/ and /ni/.
In US English, the first vowel often rhymes with “father” /ɑː/, with non-rhoticity not present in rhotic speech; UK speakers often have /ɒ/ for the first syllable and a clear /ə/ in the second; Australian English tends to centralize the /ə/ in the second syllable and may have a more rounded /ɪ/ for the final vowel. Overall, the rhotic vs non-rhotic pattern and vowel quality shifts are the main differences.
The challenge comes from balancing stress placement and the three-syllable rhythm: COL-o-ny. Many learners misplace the strong stress or elongate the middle syllable. The unstressed schwa in /lə/ can be subtle, so you should relax the jaw and keep the /l/ clear. Practice with minimal pairs to distinguish l- and n-syllables and use a quick, light final /i/ rather than a long vowel.
Some learners wonder about the internal rhythm: why the middle syllable often sounds like /lə/. This is because the second syllable is unstressed and carries a weak vowel; your mouth should fall into a relaxed position after the hard /k/ release. Focus on keeping the /l/ clear without a heavy tongue move into the /ə/ before the /ni/.
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Colony comes from the Latin colonus meaning ‘settler, farmer, or colonist,’ from Greek kolon meaning ‘piece of land, farm, or plank.’ The English usage began in the 14th century, originally referring to a body of people living in a specific place under a shared political or social system, often with a sense of settlement or outpost. Over time, it broadened to biological contexts (a group of organisms living together), sociopolitical contexts (a territory under the control of a distant power), and even organizational usage (a subsidiary or branch of an organization). The word retained a sense of division, settlement, or attachment to a central parent or origin, distinguishing it from a standalone entity. Early uses in English framed colonies as communities connected to an origin point, highlighting migration and attachment rather than mere proximity. The term’s imagery of “land allotted to settlers” persisted through the Renaissance and into modern usage. In modern language, “colony” often implies both an origin source and a degree of separation from its parent, whether in biology, history, or social organization.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Colony" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Colony" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Colony"
-ney sounds
-te) sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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