3 syllables: com, pa, nies. Stress on com.
KUHM-puh-neez
/ˈkʌmpəˌniz/
companies is pronounced KUHM-puh-neez (/ˈkʌmpəˌniz/). It has three syllables (com-pa-nies), with the stress on "com". Companies is the plural of company, referring to multiple business firms. It denotes organized groups formed for commercial, social, or political purposes, typically with an established structure and activities. In everyday use, it often functions as a count noun or part of phrases like “small companies” or “international companies.”.
Companies is the plural of company, referring to multiple business firms. It denotes organized groups formed for commercial, social, or political purposes, typically with an established structure and activities. In everyday use, it often functions as a count noun or part of phrases like “small companies” or “international companies.”
"The conference featured representatives from several multinational companies."
"Small companies are increasingly adopting flexible, remote-work policies."
"Many companies offer internship programs to cultivate young talent."
Say COM-puh-neez with the primary stress on the first syllable. In IPA: US /ˈkɑːm.pə.niz/ or /ˈkɑːm.pə.niz/; UK /ˈkɒm.pə.niz/; AU /ˈkɒm.pə.niz/. Focus on a clear /k/ + /ɑ/ (or /ɒ/) in the first syllable, then a schwa-ish /ə/ in the second, ending with /niz/. You’ll often hear a brief linking vowel into the final /i/ in fast speech: /ˈkɒm.pə.nəz/.”,
Common errors: (1) Dropping the middle syllable: saying /ˈkɒm.niz/ or merging to /ˈkɒmpənz/. (2) Slurring the /pə/ into /poʊ/ or /poʊn/ due to haste. (3) Misplacing stress as /kəˈmæ.niz/ or /ˈkom.pən.iːz/. Correction: maintain primary stress on the first syllable /ˈkɑːm/; articulate a clear /ən/ or /ə.n/ in the second syllable, and finalize with /iz/. Practice slow: /ˈkɑːm.pə.niz/. In fast speech, release may become /ˈkɒm.pənɪz/; keep it crisp by isolating the /p/ and the /n/ consonants.”,
US tends to a strong /ɪ/ or /i/ in unstressed final syllable: /ˈkɑːm.pə.niz/. UK often uses a shorter, clipped /ə/ in the second syllable and non-rhotic /r/ not pronounced: /ˈkɒm.pə.nɪz/; AU similar to UK but with broader vowels in many regions: /ˈkɒm.pə.nɪz/. Key differences: rhoticity affects the final /z/ not the final vowel, and vowel quality in /ɒ/ vs /ɑː/ can shift. Ensure the first syllable remains stressed in all accents.”,
Because it blends three consonants in rapid succession (k-ə-m-p-ə-) and ends with a voiced s /z/ after an unstressed schwa, which can blur in quick speech. The middle /m/ and /p/ require precise articulation to avoid /mən/ or /mon/ conflation. The unstressed second syllable /ə/ reduces to a schwä-like sound in many dialects, masking the boundary between /m/ and /p/. Practicing deliberate pacing and separate articulation helps solidify the sequence.”,
A common search question is whether the word uses a /k/ sound before /əm/ versus /kɔm/. The standard is /ˈkɑːm.pə.niz/ in US and /ˈkɒm.pə.niz/ in UK/AU. The tricky part is maintaining the heavy first syllable and clear /m/ before the /p/; many learners insert extra vowels or reduce /p/ into a /b/ or /p/ without aspiration. Keep the sequence distinct: /k/ + /ɑː/ + /m/ + /p/ + /ə/ + /n/ + /i/ + /z/.”]},
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The word companies comes from the Old French compagnie, from Latin companio, meaning ‘companion, fellow shareer in a venture,’ from com- ‘together’ + panis ‘bread,’ originally referring to those who shared a meal or a common livelihood. In English, company acquired sense of a group of individuals gathered for mutual benefit, then extended to a commercial group (a firm, business). The plural form companies emerged in Middle English to denote multiple associations or firms; the sense of “organizations that do business” solidified in the 17th–18th centuries as economies expanded and trading networks grew. First attested in English in the 13th century as compagnies, it gradually adopted the modern spelling by the 16th century. Over time, the semantic field broadened from companionship and shared meals to collective business ventures and associations. The word retains nuance of collaboration and shared purpose, whether in commerce, theater, or military contexts (as “armed companies”). Modern usage centers on commercial entities, with pluralization indicating multiple entities in discourse about market activity, corporate structure, or industry analysis.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "companies" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "companies" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "companies"
-ngs sounds
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