2 syllables: Com, bat. Stress on Com.
KAHM-bat
/ˈkɑmbæt/
Combat is pronounced KAHM-bat (/ˈkɑmbæt/). It has two syllables (Com-bat), with the stress on "Com". Combat (noun) refers to a fight or armed conflict between groups, or to any active confrontation. It can describe physical fighting or a structured struggle, such as combat training or combat operations in a military context. It denotes action, aggression, and organized hostilities, often with tactical aims and defined participants.
nounCombat (noun) refers to a fight or armed conflict between groups, or to any active confrontation. It can describe physical fighting or a structured struggle, such as combat training or combat operations in a military context. It denotes action, aggression, and organized hostilities, often with tactical aims and defined participants.
- Think you can merge the two syllables into a single, slurred sound; you’ll hear a muffled first vowel and a rushed /t/. Fix: keep two clear syllables with a small pause between /m/ and /b/ to separate them. - Mispronounce the first vowel as a stressed long /ɑː/ or /æ/; in many accents it should be a shorter /ɒ/ or a longer /ɑː/ depending on region. Practice with a slow, deliberate /ˈkɒm/ or /ˈkɑːm/ before adding /bæt/. - Final consonant issues: many speakers release /t/ too strongly, which can sound abrupt; aim for a light, restrained release or unreleased /t/ in fast speech.
How to Pronounce Combat
"The soldiers engaged in intense combat along the front line."
"She studied hand-to-hand combat techniques as part of self-defense training."
"In the video game, players level up their combat abilities and weapons."
Combat is pronounced with two syllables: /ˈkɒm.bæt/ in UK and AU IPA, and /ˈkɑːm.bæt/ in many US representations. The primary stress is on the first syllable. Practice by saying KOHM (with a short o) followed by BAH T, ensuring a clear split between syllables. Listen to examples on Pronounce or Forvo to hear the subtle differences in vowel quality.
Common errors include reduplicating the second syllable too strongly (speaking ‘COMB-AT’ with equal emphasis), and using a long ‘a’ in the first syllable in American speech (pronouncing / ˈkɑːm/ as in ‘father’). Another pitfall is tensing the final consonant or blending the two syllables into a single syllable. Correct by maintaining clear two-syllable rhythm: /ˈkɒm.bæt/ or /ˈkɑːm.bæt/ with a crisp /m/ and a light, unreleased final /t/.
In US English, /ˈkɑːmˌbæt/ with rhotic r-free first vowel often longer; UK/AU prefer /ˈkɒm.bæt/ with a shorter, closer front vowel in the first syllable. The US may show slight vowel lengthening before /m/ and a more pronounced /t/ in rapid speech, while UK/AU often exhibit a shorter, tenser /ɒ/ and more clipped final /t/. Overall, stress remains on the first syllable; rhythm tends to be trochaic in all three varieties.
The challenge lies in the short, clipped first vowel in /ˈkɒm/ or /ˈkɑːm/ and the final /bæt/ with a light /t/ release. Additionally, linking sounds in connected speech can blur the syllable boundary, especially in fast speech or when coupled with verbs like 'to combat' in flow. Focus on a clean CV pattern: strong initial onset /k/, central/mid vowel /ɒ/ or /ɑː/, then a distinct /m/ and a careful /b/ before /æt/.
A distinctive feature is the secondary stress or intonation pattern when used in compounds or phrases like 'combat operations' where the adjective-noun pairing can influence pacing. Although primary stress is on the first syllable, careful articulation of /mb/ cluster and keeping the two-syllable rhythm intact is essential. Visualize a tight burst on /mb/ transitioning to the open front /æ/ in /æt/ for a crisp, native sound.
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- US: rhotic to an extent with more open /ɜː/ in adjacent vowels; pay attention to the length of the first vowel and a less airy final /t/. - UK: shorter /ɒ/ vowel, tighter jaw, more clipped /t/; stress remains on first syllable. - AU: similar to UK with a slightly more relaxed jaw, but keep the two-syllable rhythm and clear /m/ and /b/; avoid over-aspiration after /k/.
Combat comes from the early French word combat, from Latin combate, which means “a fighting, fighting with.” The root is combatre, from combare, combining com- “together” with batt- “to strike” or “to fight.” The term entered English via Old French in the 13th century, originally referring to a physical fight or struggle. Over time, it broadened to include organized warfare, military engagements, and metaphorical struggles (as in “combatting illness” or “combatting crime”). The sense evolution tracks a shift from concrete, single-encounter violence to broader, systematic conflict and opposition. In contemporary usage, combat spans military contexts, staged combat in performance, and figurative battles, while still retaining its core association with active fighting, confrontation, and resistance against an adversary. The word’s strength lies in its brevity and impact, making it a versatile term across domains—from strategy and training to policy and storytelling. First known use in Middle English texts occurs in law and military writings, with the modern sense solidifying in the 18th–19th centuries as global conflict and professionalized warfare became more prominent.
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Words that rhyme with "Combat"
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