4 syllables: com, pe, ti, tions. Stress on ti.
kahm-puh-TISH-uhnz
/ˌkɑmpəˈtɪʃənz/
competitions is pronounced kahm-puh-TISH-uhnz (/ˌkɑmpəˈtɪʃənz/). It has four syllables (com-pe-ti-tions), with the stress on "ti". Competitions refers to events or contests where individuals or teams compete to win prizes or recognition. It can also describe the act of contending with others in a contest. The word emphasizes organized challenges, rules, and judging, often highlighting performance, skill, and achievement across diverse domains.
Competitions refers to events or contests where individuals or teams compete to win prizes or recognition. It can also describe the act of contending with others in a contest. The word emphasizes organized challenges, rules, and judging, often highlighting performance, skill, and achievement across diverse domains.
"The science fair attracted dozens of regional competitions."
"She trained for months to excel in national competitions."
"They faced stiff competition from rival teams in the tournament."
Say /ˌkɒm.pəˈtɪʃ.ənz/ in UK or /ˌkɑːm.pəˈtɪʃ.ənz/ in US. The main stress is on the third syllable: com-pə-TI-tions; start with a light /k/ and /m/ cluster, reduce the middle vowel to a schwa, and clearly articulate /tɪʃ/ before the final /ənz/. For clarity, practice: com-puh-TISH-uhnz. Audio references: you can compare with Cambridge or Oxford dictionaries’ audio.
Two frequent errors are misplacing stress (saying com-puh-TI-tionz with wrong emphasis) and running the /tɪʃ/ into /tʃ/ or mispronouncing the final /ənz/ as /ənz/ without the assimilation. Correction: emphasize the /ɪʃ/ sequence as TI-tion with clear /t/ and /ɪ/; keep final /ənz/ nasalized and not beat-fast. Practice with slow, then normal pace, and use minimal pairs to feel the difference between /tɪʃ.ənz/ vs /tɪˈʃənz/.
US speakers typically place primary stress on TI: com-puh-TI-ənz with a rhotic influence in a flapped /ɾ/ is uncommon here; UK speakers keep crisp /tɪʃ/ and a clear final /ənz/, sometimes with non-rhotic /r/ absence. Australian speech also favors /ˌkɒm.pəˈtɪʃ.ənz/ but vowels in /ɒ/ and /ə/ can be broader; the /t/ remains a hard stop. Overall: primary stress on the third syllable, with subtle vowel quality and linking differences across dialects.
It blends a multi-syllabic rhythm with a stressed /tɪʃ/ cluster and a final /ənz/. The sequence /kɒm.pə/ has a quick syllable reduction in casual speech, and the /t/ near /ɪ/ can be mis-timed, causing a /d/ influence or an overemphasized /t/. The final /ənz/ requires a nasal + voiced syllable closure. Mastering the three-syllable cadence helps prevent mispronunciations in fast speech.
Does the /m/ in the onset of the second syllable combine with the following schwa, or is there a clearer border? In careful speech, you can maintain a distinct /m/ sound after /k/ and not assimilate to /n/; keep /kɒm.pə/ distinct before the /tɪʃ.ənz/ suffix, ensuring the /m/ doesn’t merge with /pə/ in rapid speech. IPA guides often show the split: /ˌkɒm.pəˈtɪʃ.ənz/ confirming a clear second syllable boundary.
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US: rhotic, /ɛ/ or /ɹ/ influence can color vowels slightly; UK: non-rhotic, /r/ not pronounced; AU: variable rhoticity and broader vowel colors. Vowels: /ɒ/ (UK/AU) vs /ɑː/ (US in stressed syllable); /ə/ in the second syllable is reduced but not silent. Keep final /ənz/ crisp with a light nasal and a voiced /z/. IPA references: /ˌkɒm.pəˈtɪʃ.ənz/ (UK) vs /ˌkɑːm.pəˈtɪʃ.ənz/ (US). Use slow practice to feel non-rhoticity and vowel shifts.
Competitions comes from the Latin competere, formed from com- (together) and petere (to seek, aim for, go toward). The verb competere evolved into the noun competition in the late Middle English period, reflecting the act of striving against others within a defined framework. The term sentiment grew to cover organized events with formal rules and judging criteria. Early use in English attested around the 15th century, with “competition” appearing in contexts of rivalry and resource claiming. By the 17th–18th centuries, competition broadened to include sporting, academic, and commercial senses, often accompanied by words like contest and tournament. In modern usage, “competitions” (plural) denotes multiple events or instances where participants strive for precedence or prizes, highlighting structured evaluation and competitive dynamics across cultures.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "competitions" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "competitions" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "competitions"
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