3 syllables: Com, mit, tee. Stress on mit.
kuh-MIT-ee
/kəˈmɪti/
Committee is pronounced kuh-MIT-ee (/kəˈmɪti/). It has three syllables (Com-mit-tee), with the stress on "mit". Committee is a noun referring to a group of people convened to discuss, decide, or supervise a particular matter or organization. It often functions as a formal body within institutions, with a defined scope and responsibilities. The word emphasizes group deliberation, governance, and organized decision-making, typically operating under a charter or set of bylaws.
nounCommittee is a noun referring to a group of people convened to discuss, decide, or supervise a particular matter or organization. It often functions as a formal body within institutions, with a defined scope and responsibilities. The word emphasizes group deliberation, governance, and organized decision-making, typically operating under a charter or set of bylaws.
"The committee meets every Tuesday to review budget proposals."
"She was appointed to the safety committee after the incident."
"The committee recommended several policy changes to the board."
Phonetically, say /kəˈmɪt.i/ with three syllables. The primary stress sits on the second syllable: ku-MIT-ee. Start with a relaxed schwa in the first syllable, then a crisp /mɪ/ and a clear /t/ before the final /i/. If you need a quick audio cue, imagine saying 'com' + 'MIT' + 'ee' in a steady, formal tone.
Two frequent errors: (1) misplacing the stress, saying /ˈkɒm.ɪ.ti/ with primary stress on the first syllable; (2) softening the /t/ into a /d/ or blending it too strongly, producing /ˈkə.mɪ.di/. Correct by emphasizing the /t/ in the second syllable and keeping a clear vowel in each syllable: /kəˈmɪt.i/.
In US English, you typically hear /kəˈmɪt.i/ with a rhotic /r/ absence in the initial syllable; the second syllable is a clear, short /ɪ/. UK English similarly uses /kəˈmɪt.i/ but may show minor vowel length differences and a crisper /t/. Australian English aligns closely with UK/US patterns but often features broader vowel quality on /ɪ/ and a lightly flapped or aspirated /t/ depending on tempo. Overall, stress remains on the second syllable across these varieties.
The difficulty comes from the three-syllable rhythm with a stress on the middle syllable and the /t/ consonant bridging two vowels. Learners often misplace the stress, producing /ˈkə.mɪ.ti/ or /kəˈmɪt.i/ with reduced clarity on the /t/. The mid syllable is short and quick, which can cause vowel reduction in rapid speech. Focus on the strong /t/ and a clean /i/ ending.
The final '-tee' is typically a short, unstressed /i/ sound, not a prolonged 'ee' vowel. It lands as a quick, light 'ee' in /kəˈmɪt.i/. Some speakers may reduce it slightly in fast speech, but in careful speech, keep it a distinct, brief /i/ rather than a long vowel.
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Committee comes from the Old French comitée, from the medieval Latin comitatus, meaning 'a company or retinue,' derived from comitat- ‘attended, accompanied’ from comitare ‘to accompany’. The root com- means 'together' or 'with,' and from it we get modern words like committee, commit, and companion. In English, the spelling and pronunciation stabilized in the 14th–15th centuries as governmental and organizational bodies adopted the term to describe a delegated group responsible for a specific domain. Over time, the form shortened in colloquial usage to 'the committee' without altering its core sense. The word carries connotations of formal process, collective authority, and delegated decision-making, reflecting its ligature with governance and administrative functions.
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Help others use "Committee" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "Committee" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Committee" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Committee"
-tty sounds
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