3 syllables: Com, pan, ion. Stress on pan.
kuhm-PAN-yuhn
/kəˈmpænjən/
Companion is pronounced kuhm-PAN-yuhn (/kəˈmpænjən/). It has three syllables (Com-pan-ion), with the stress on "pan". Companion (noun) refers to a person or animal that accompanies someone and provides company or support. It can also describe something that is supplementary or accompanying another item. The term often connotes companionship, reliability, and shared experience, whether in social, travel, or caregiving contexts.
nounCompanion (noun) refers to a person or animal that accompanies someone and provides company or support. It can also describe something that is supplementary or accompanying another item. The term often connotes companionship, reliability, and shared experience, whether in social, travel, or caregiving contexts.
"Her dog is her constant companion on long walks."
"The guidebook is a companion to the map, offering historical context."
"She brought a helpful companion to the conference who could assist with note-taking."
Companion is pronounced with four syllables: /kəmˈpænjən/. The primary stress falls on the second syllable: com-PAN-ion. Start with a reduced /kə/ (uh) sound, then /ˈpæn/ (pan with a short a like in ‘cat’), followed by /jən/ (yuhn). In careful speech, the /j/ is a clear consonant before the final schwa. If you’re using a dictionary voice, listen for the subtle glide before the final syllable.
Common errors include: 1) Misplacing the stress by saying com-PAN-ion with the stress on the first syllable; ensure the stress is on PAN. 2) Muddling the /j/ before the final -ion, making it sound like /ən/ instead of /jən/. 3) Overly pronouncing the final -ion as a hard ‘ion’ rather than a quick schwa syllable. Practice with the sequence /kə/ /ˈpæn/ /jən/.
In US, UK, and AU, the core four-syllable sequence remains, with stress on PAN. US tends to a slightly more rhotic-leaning /r/ not present here, but tends to a lighter /ə/ in first syllable. UK often has a slightly crisper /pæ/ and a more pronounced /j/ before final /ən/. Australian tends to a more centralized initial /ə/ and a more relaxed final /ən/. Overall, the main differences are vowel quality in /ə/ and /æ/ and the smoothness of the /j/ glide before -ən.
The difficulty centers on the sequence of consonants and the /j/ before the final /ən/. The syllable boundary com-PAN-ion creates a mid-stress peak; the /æ/ in PAN requires precise mouth opening, and the /j/ acts as a quick palatal glide into the schwa. A common challenge is keeping the subtle separation between /æ/ and /j/ so the /j/ doesn’t merge with the final vowel. Practice by isolating PAN and then adding the /jən/.
A unique consideration is the gentle transition from the /æ/ of PAN to the /j/ glide into /ən/. Viewers often search for tips on maintaining a clear boundary between the stressed syllable and the ending, ensuring the final schwa is short and not swallowed. Paying attention to the timing of the /j/ release helps avoid a blurred last syllable, making the overall pronunciation crisp and natural.
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Companion originates from the late 14th century from Old French compagnon, which means ‘comrade, partner in a shared enterprise,’ from late Latin complico ‘to fold together, join’ (from Latin com- ‘with’ + plicare ‘to fold’). The word entered Middle English via Anglo-Norman French, retaining its sense of someone who shares a journey or burdens. Over time, the nuance broadened from a travel mate to any person or thing that accompanies another or provides company or support. The prefix com- signals together, with the root p(an) i.e., plicare, evolving to encompass social association in everyday language. By the 17th century, companion commonly referred to a trusted associate, later expanding to everyday use (e.g., museum companions, book companions) while maintaining its core sense of allied presence. Today, companion remains a versatile term in social, literary, and institutional contexts, often implying trust, reliability, and presence. First known use in English literature appears in the 14th century; the word’s journey mirrors changes in social structures and the expanding role of companions in personal and professional life.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Companion" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Companion" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Companion"
-re) sounds
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