4 syllables: com, pi, la, tions. Stress on la.
kahm-puh-LAY-shuhnz
/ˌkɑmpəˈleɪʃənz/
compilations is pronounced kahm-puh-LAY-shuhnz (/ˌkɑmpəˈleɪʃənz/). It has four syllables (com-pi-la-tions), with the stress on "la". Compilations is the noun form referring to a collection of items produced from various sources, often gathered with some editorial selection. In practice, it can denote a curated assortment such as music compilations or a literature compilations volume; the term implies aggregation with some organizing logic, rather than an original, single-source work. The plural indicates multiple instances or sets of such collections.
Compilations is the noun form referring to a collection of items produced from various sources, often gathered with some editorial selection. In practice, it can denote a curated assortment such as music compilations or a literature compilations volume; the term implies aggregation with some organizing logic, rather than an original, single-source work. The plural indicates multiple instances or sets of such collections.
- Common phonetic challenge: connecting syllables without breaking the rhythm; you may insert an extra pause between com-pil- a- tions. Correction: practice rapid, even syllable-timed delivery: com-pil-a-tions. - Another error: confusing -tions with -shuns; pronounce as -ʃənz, not -tʃənz or -sənz. Correction: anchor the -ʃənz ending by saying 'shun' quickly and adding /z/. - Final pitfall: misplacing primary stress; ensure primary stress on PIL, with secondary stress on the earlier syllable if speaking slowly; in fast speech it may be less pronounced, but not misplaced.
"- The library released several new compilations of classic jazz tracks."
"- Researchers reviewed various compilations of data from multiple studies."
"- The TV channel aired weekend compilations of best moments from the season."
Pronounce as kəm-PIL-ā-shənz in most dialects, with stress on the third syllable. IPA US: kəmˌpɪˈleɪʃənz; UK: kɒmˌpaɪˈleɪʃənz; AU follows US/UK tendencies. Start with a light schwa, then a short ‘p’ into a clear ‘pil’ stem, glide into ‘-ā-’, then a soft ‘shənz’ ending. Practice by chunking: com-pil-a-tions, ensuring the -tions sounds like -ʃənz rather than -tɪənz when spoken quickly.
Common errors include under-stressing the third syllable (kəm-PIL-ā-shənz) and pronouncing it as 'comp-ill-AY-shuns' or 'kom-pil-LAY-shun-s' with a wrong 'sh' or 'zh' sound. Another frequent misstep is linking the -on- to a schwa too soon, producing 'kəm-pil-AY-onz'. Correct by isolating syllables: com-pil-a-tions, then blend: kəm-PIL-ā-shənz. Remember final -z sound in plural is voiced and clear.
US tends to reduce vowel length on the unstressed syllables and maintain a clear /ˈleɪ/ in the third syllable, ending with /z/. UK often less rhotic in non-stressed vowels and may feature a slightly shorter /ɪ/ in the second syllable; final -z remains /z/. Australian follows either US or UK patterns depending on speaker, with more vowel reduction in connected speech and a non-rhotic tendency in slower speech, but can be rhotic in careful speech. Core: /kəmˌpɪˈleɪʃənz/ vs /ˈkɒm.pɪˌleɪ.ʃənz/ in some UK variants.
Difficult aspects include the multi-syllabic rhythm and the tertiary stress on the /leɪ/ vowel, which can be over- or under-emphasized. The cluster -pli- requires a light, quick articulation of /p/ and /l/ before the long /eɪ/. The ending -tions becomes -ʃənz or -ʃənz with an extra /z/ in plural flow, which can blur in rapid speech. Focus on separating com-pil-a-tions and then blend. IPA cues: kəmˌpɪˈleɪʃənz.
No separate /t/ is heard in careful speech; the sequence -ations is realized as -eɪʃənz, with the /t/ assimilating into the following /j/ or /ʃ/ region, effectively producing a /t/ into a palatal /j/ blend that is common in English word-final clusters. In practice, the /t/ is not a standalone sound; treat it as part of the -eɪʃən/ sequence, so the final sounds are /eɪʃənz/.
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- US/UK/AU differences: US typically rhymes 'pal' with 'pale' when in -leɪ-, UK may exhibit slightly higher vowel quality with less diphthongal movement; AU often flattens vowels more, with less vowel height difference in 'leɪ'. Focus on /ˈpɪ/ vs /ˈpaɪ/ transitions; use IPA to compare. - Vowel shifts: /ɪ/ in the second syllable in US vs /ɒ/ in UK; final -ɪənz vs -iənz variations. - Rhoticity: US rhotic, UK non-rhotic; AU typically rhotic in careful speech but less so in casual speech. - Consonants: ensure /p/ is light and not aspirated too long; /l/ is clear but not too vocalic; /ʃ/ in - tions must be crisp. - Stress: main stress on PIL; maintain even rhythm elsewhere to keep natural cadence.
Compilations derives from the verb compile, from Latin compilare, compilo- (together, fill up) + -are, with the suffix -ation to form a noun indicating the result or product of compiling. Compile itself traces to Latin compilo, meaning to pile up or collect together; the root comes from com- (together) and pila (a ball or pile). The English noun compiled materials into a set or collection, signifying an act of gathering and arranging. The -tion suffix converts the verb into a noun representing the action or its product. Early attestations in Middle English reflect the sense of “the act of compiling” and “a compilation,” increasingly used for books, anthologies, and lists. Over time, the term expanded into music, film, and data aggregations where curated content is presented as a bundled item. In modern usage, compilations often imply an editor’s or producer’s selection rather than a primary authorial work, emphasizing aggregation, organization, and thematic coherence across diverse sources.
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Words that rhyme with "compilations"
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