3 syllables: com, mit, ments. Stress on mit.
kuh-MIT-muhnts
/kəˈmɪtmənts/
commitments is pronounced kuh-MIT-muhnts (/kəˈmɪtmənts/). It has three syllables (com-mit-ments), with the stress on "mit". Commitments are firm obligations or promises to perform or uphold certain tasks or responsibilities. They imply a binding degree of responsibility that requires ongoing attention and effort, often over time. In everyday use, the term can refer to personal, professional, or legal assurances that one intends to fulfill.
Commitments are firm obligations or promises to perform or uphold certain tasks or responsibilities. They imply a binding degree of responsibility that requires ongoing attention and effort, often over time. In everyday use, the term can refer to personal, professional, or legal assurances that one intends to fulfill.
- You may drop the first syllable, saying simply 'mit-ments' or 'commit-ments' with inconsistent stress; keep the initial rotated into the main MIT with a clear /ˈmɪt/ center. - Don’t over-pronounce the final /t/; a light stop between MIT and ments is enough. - Avoid turning /ɪ/ into a longer vowel; keep /ˈmɪt/ crisp and not drawn-out. - When speaking quickly, be mindful of the cluster /mənts/; practice with minimal pairs to keep the /m/ and /n/ distinct. - In Australian English, beware slight vowel shifts; ensure /ə/ remains near schwa and final /z/ or /s/ is crisp depending on plural realization.
"Her commitments to the project kept the team on track."
"The speaker outlined his commitments to reducing waste and improving efficiency."
"They canceled the trip due to conflicting commitments."
Pronounce as /kəˈmɪt.mənts/ (US) or /kəˈmɪt.mənz/ (UK/AU). Put main stress on the second syllable MIT: ki-ML? No: ki-MIT-ments, with a clear /ˈmɪt/ peak and the final /mənts/ or /mənz/. Start with a schwa in the first syllable, move to a short, sharp /ɪ/ in MIT, then a relaxed /mənts/. You’ll want a clean 't' release between /mɪt/ and /mənts/ without a strong pause.
Common mistakes: 1) Under-stressing the MIT syllable, sounding like 'com-MENTS' or 'com-MITs'. 2) Slurring the -ments into 'ments' with a heavy, chopped ending; instead, articulate the /mənts/ as a light, unstressed sequence. 3) Mispronouncing the initial /k/ or the vowel in the first syllable; ensure a short schwa /ə/ rather than a full /ʌ/ or /ɪ/ in the first syllable.
US typically: /kəˈmɪt.mənts/ with a clear /ə/ first syllable and rhotic flexibility. UK/AU: /kəˈmɪt.mənz/ where the final -ments often sounds like /mənz/; Australians may lengthen the second syllable slightly and maintain non-rhotic tendencies with a softer final consonant.
Three phonetic challenges: 1) The unstressed first syllable with a weak /ə/ can blur if you don't lead into MIT sharply; 2) The /t/ between /mɪt/ and /mənts/ requires a clean stop, not a glottal stop; 3) The final cluster /mənts/ or /mənz/ blends quickly, so focus on a light, quick release and avoid a drawn-out ending.
The word packs a strong stress shift from the primary stress on MIT and a nuanced final syllable cluster. The plural ending often reduces to /-mənts/ or /-mənz/ depending on accent. Its two-tap rhythm—kə-MIT-ments—is a common source of emphasis in rapid speech, which makes it memorable and easy to mispronounce when speaking fast.
🗣️ Voice search tip: These questions are optimized for voice search. Try asking your voice assistant any of these questions about "commitments"!
- US: Stress on MIT; clear /ɪ/ in the second syllable; rhoticity allows /kəˈmɪt.mənts/ with a strong final -nts. - UK: /kəˈmɪt.mənz/ with a more centralized /ə/ in the first syllable; the final consonant may be softer. - AU: Similar to UK but often with a slightly lighter final /nz/ or broader /mənz/; watch vowel quality in the first and last syllables. Always keep the second syllable prominent and maintain a quick, light /t/.” ,
Commitment comes from the verb commit, via the noun form commitment. The root verb commit derives from Latin committere, meaning to join together or entrust, from com- (together) and mittere (to send). The noun form emerged in Old French as commitment, entering English in the 16th-17th centuries with senses tied to entrusting, committing someone to a duty or trust. Over time, the meaning broadened beyond legal or formal promises to include personal commitments (time, obligations) and commitments in organizational contexts. The word’s core sense revolves around binding oneself to an action, promise, or course of responsibility. Its pronunciation and morphological structure reflect the combination of com- + mit + -ment, a pattern common to many English nouns formed from verbs. The plural commitments developed to express multiple obligations, often used in business, contract, and personal planning discourse. The evolution mirrors shifts in social and legal expectations around accountability and reliability in modern English usage.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "commitments" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "commitments" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "commitments" 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 "commitments"
-nts 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.
