3 syllables: com, mon, wealth. Stress on com.
KAH-muhn-welth
/ˈkɑməˌnwɛlθ/
commonwealth is pronounced KAH-muhn-welth (/ˈkɑməˌnwɛlθ/). It has three syllables (com-mon-wealth), with the stress on "com". Commonwealth refers to a voluntary association of independent nations or states linked by shared ideals such as democracy and mutual cooperation; it also denotes the political unit established in certain countries that governs as a free association rather than a unitary state. The term emphasizes collective welfare and public good, often used to describe historical or modern organizations like the Commonwealth of Nations. In usage, it can describe any self-governing territory united by common goals.
Commonwealth refers to a voluntary association of independent nations or states linked by shared ideals such as democracy and mutual cooperation; it also denotes the political unit established in certain countries that governs as a free association rather than a unitary state. The term emphasizes collective welfare and public good, often used to describe historical or modern organizations like the Commonwealth of Nations. In usage, it can describe any self-governing territory united by common goals.
"The Commonwealth of Nations includes diverse countries that collaborate on development and education."
"A region once part of the empire now participates in the Commonwealth and maintains cultural ties."
"During the ceremony, the Commonwealth Games were celebrated as a symbol of athletic camaraderie."
Pronounce as /ˈkɒm.ənˌwɛlθ/ in US and UK English, with primary stress on the first syllable and secondary stress on the third. The initial ‘com’ is like ‘com’ in accommodate, the middle ‘mon’ is unstressed, and the final ‘wealth’ sounds like /wɛlθ/ with a voiceless th. Mouth position: start with lips relaxed, then slightly rounded for the ‘w’ and a broad front-of-mouth gesture for /wɛlθ/. Audio references include standard dictionaries and pronunciation platforms.
Common mistakes include misplacing stress (putting it on “wealth” as in /ˈkɒmzˌwɛlθ/), over-voicing the /l/ in ‘wealth’, or mispronouncing /wɛlθ/ as /wɛlð/ (voicing difference). Correct by preserving primary stress on the first syllable, ensure the /mən/ is a fast, reduced unstressed sequence, and end with a clear /θ/ unvoiced sound. Practice with minimal pairs focusing on the final consonant cluster /lθ/ and the vowel in /ɒ/ versus /ɔː/ in other dialects.
In US/UK, /ˈkɒm.ənˌwɛlθ/ with final /θ/ as voiceless dental fricative. In some non-rhotic speech, you may hear weaker /r/ or none; however, /θ/ remains unaffected. Australian speakers often preserve /æ/ or /ɒ/ in the first syllable depending on region, but commonly maintain /ɒ/ like /ˈkɒm.ənˌwɛlθ/. Key differences lie in the first vowel quality and the emphasis cadence while final /θ/ is consistent.
The difficulty centers on the multi-syllabic structure with a nonaccented middle syllable and a final voiceless dental fricative /θ/. The cluster /mənw/ can cause reduction errors, and the final /θ/ can be misarticulated as /f/ or /t/. Listen for a smooth, three-syllable rhythm: COM-mon-WELTH. Practice by isolating the sequence /mən/ and the final /wɛlθ/ with careful tongue tip placement behind the upper front teeth.
A unique aspect is maintaining a distinct /l/ quality before the final /θ/ and not letting the /w/ coalesce into a vowel glide that weakens /wɛlθ/. The middle /ən/ often reduces, creating a fast transition from /ˈkɒm/ to /ən/ and onward to /ˈwɛlθ/. Focus on keeping the final /θ/ voiceless and crisp, ensuring the /l/ remains light but clear. IPA cues help anchor the articulation.
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Commonwealth originates from the combination of ‘common’ and ‘wealth,’ with early usage in English to denote a political body organized for the common good. It appears in medieval English to describe governance for the public welfare rather than private enrichment. The modern term gained prominence in the 15th-17th centuries as republics and city-states framed governments that prioritized common welfare. In the 17th century, it came to describe republics or states with governance emphasizing the common good, diverging from monarchies. The most enduring usage today is the Commonwealth of Nations, established in the early 20th century as former territories sought cooperative associations while maintaining constitutional ties to the British Crown. First known uses can be traced to Latin-based political vocabulary where “common” denotes shared, and “wealth” extended to welfare and public prosperity. Over time, the word evolved to cover both a form of government and a voluntary international association rather than a specific geographic boundary.
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Words that rhyme with "commonwealth"
-uth sounds
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