2 syllables: Con, cert. Stress on Con.
KAHN-surt
/ˈkɑnsɚt/
Concert is pronounced KAHN-surt (/ˈkɑnsɚt/). It has two syllables (Con-cert), with the stress on "Con". As a noun, a noun referring to a public musical performance, typically live and stage-based, featuring an organized program of songs or other musical pieces. It can also describe the space or organization arranging such an event. The word emphasizes the act of a coordinated musical presentation rather than the individual performances within it.
nounA noun referring to a public musical performance, typically live and stage-based, featuring an organized program of songs or other musical pieces. It can also describe the space or organization arranging such an event. The word emphasizes the act of a coordinated musical presentation rather than the individual performances within it.
"We bought tickets to the concert downtown last night."
"Her favorite artist is headlining a huge concert next summer."
"The venue announced a charity concert to raise funds."
In US English you say /ˈkɒn.sərt/ with primary stress on the first syllable and a rhotic, mid-central ending in -rt. In careful UK pronunciation, it’s /ˈkɒn.sə.t/ or /ˈkɒn.sənt/ with a lighter development of the r and clearer syllable division; some speakers insert a subtle schwa between -er and -t. For Australian speakers, expect /ˈkɒn.səːt/ with a longer vowel in the second syllable and a non-rhotic or lightly rhotic ending depending on speaker.”
Common errors: (1) Reducing the second syllable too much and merging into one syllable; (2) Mispronouncing the second syllable as /ˈkɒn.sɜːrt/ with overemphasized /ɜː/ or adding an extra syllable; (3) Not clearly enunciating the final -t, leading to /ˈkɒn.sər/ or /ˈkɒn.sə/ without the final stop. Correction: maintain two distinct syllables, emphasize the first syllable, and finish with a clean final /t/. Practice slowing to two-syllable clarity (/ˈkɒn.sə t/) and then blend back while keeping the final /t/ crisp.
US: rhotic ; /ˈkɒn.sərt/ with /ɚ/ in the second syllable before the final /t/ in many speakers. UK: non-rhotic or weak rhotic; /ˈkɒn.sə t/ with a shorter second syllable and less vocalic coloring; AU: /ˈkɒn.sə t/ with variable rhoticity and often a longer middle vowel; overall, the first syllable retains the /ɒ/ as in “cot,” while the second is a more centralized /ə/. In all, the key differences center on rhoticity and vowel quality in the second syllable.
Difficulties stem from the unstressed second syllable and the final consonant cluster /rt/. The /ɒ/ in the first syllable can be tricky for non-natives, and the second syllable’s schwa can reduce under fast speech, making it sound like /kənˈsert/ or /ˈkɒn.sət/. Training attention to the two-syllable rhythm, crisp /t/, and avoiding vowel excessive reduction helps. IPA cues: US /ˈkɒn.sərt/, UK /ˈkɒn.sə t/, AU /ˈkɒn.sə t/.
In fast connected speech you’ll often hear a light syllabic reduction where the second syllable may sound like /sə/ with minimal vowel length, but the final /t/ remains perceptible. You can practice by saying “kon-surt” with a clear, small pause between the two syllables, then gradually speed up while preserving the final /t/ clarity. Focus on keeping the first syllable strong and the second unstressed but fully realized.
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Concert comes from the Middle French concert, from Latin concertare, meaning to bring into agreement or to agree, arrange, cooperate. The English usage began in the 17th century to describe an agreement or harmony but evolved to mean a united musical performance. The root concert- traces to com- (together) and cantare (to sing). Over time, English usage narrowed toward collective musical performances with formal programs, often at public venues or concert halls. The term also underpins phrases like concerted effort, reflecting the sense of working together in synchrony. The first known English attestations appear in early 1600s dictionaries describing cooperative actions, gradually transitioning by the late 17th and 18th centuries to emphasize organized musical events. By the 19th and 20th centuries, “concert” had become a standard noun for public musical performances of varied genres, from orchestral concerts to rock shows, while retaining its sense of coordinated, harmonious execution. In contemporary usage, it also appears in idioms like at short notice or in concert with, reinforcing the idea of coordinated action and shared intent across contexts.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Concert" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "Concert"
-ent sounds
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