3 syllables: con, di, ment. Stress on con.
/ˈkɑndəmənt/
condiment is pronounced /ˈkɑndəmənt/. It has three syllables (con-di-ment), with the stress on "con". Condiment refers to a substance such as a sauce, seasoning, or relish added to food to enhance flavor. It is typically used in small amounts and can be categorized by culture or cuisine. The word signals a category of edible accompaniments rather than a main ingredient.
Say it backCondiment refers to a substance such as a sauce, seasoning, or relish added to food to enhance flavor. It is typically used in small amounts and can be categorized by culture or cuisine. The word signals a category of edible accompaniments rather than a main ingredient.
"I added mustard and pickles as condiments for the grilled cheese."
"The restaurant offered a variety of condiments, including hot sauce and chutney."
"Use salt, pepper, and other condiments to season the dish to taste."
Pronounce it as /ˈkɒn.dɪ.mənt/ (UK) or /ˈkɑːn.də.mənt/ (US); in both, the primary stress is on the first syllable. The middle vowel is a short i as in ‘dim,’ and the final syllable sounds like ‘ment’ with a schwa in the middle. IPA: US /ˈkɑːn.də.mənt/, UK /ˈkɒn.dɪ.mənt/. Master the quick, clipped second syllable and avoid drawing out the second vowel.
Common errors include saying the second syllable with a full ‘ee’ vowel instead of a short /ɪ/ (con-dee-ment) and overemphasizing the final syllable /mənt/ with a hard ‘t’. Correct by stopping the middle vowel at /ɪ/ and reducing the final /t/ to a light release. Another frequent slip is misplacing the primary stress on the second syllable, which reduces intelligibility; keep stress on the first syllable /ˈkɒn/ or /ˈkɑːn/.
In US English, you’ll hear /ˈkɑːn.də.mənt/ with a back, open first vowel; the middle vowel is schwa-like /ə/. UK English uses /ˈkɒn.dɪ.mənt/ with a shorter /ɒ/ and a crisp /dɪ/ in the second syllable. Australian English follows a similar pattern to UK, but with a more centralized /ə/ and a slightly broader American-like /ɒ/ in some regions. Across all, the final /t/ is typically released, not silent.
Two challenges: first, the unstressed mid syllable /ɪ/ reduces to a quick schwa that can blend into neighboring consonants; keep it short and crisp. Second, the final /t/ can be unreleased or softly released in rapid speech, which may blur the word’s end. Practice with tongue positioning for /n/ and /d/ to avoid blending into the next sound. Emphasize the strong initial /k/.
Yes—stress on the first syllable and the presence of a mid syllable /ɪ/ before /m/. The combination /n.də.m/ requires tidier tongue movement to separate the nasal /n/, the voiced alveolar /d/, and the schwa /ə/ before a weak /m/ in the final cluster. Visualize a quick three-beat rhythm: CON-də-ment.
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Condiment comes from the Latin condimentum, meaning a preserving, seasoning, or garnish. The root con-+ dam= ‘to temper or to make suitable’ evolved into condimentum in Late Latin, referring to something added to improve flavor or preserve food. In medieval and early modern kitchens, condimenta were the subordinate flavoring agents carried from place to place: sauces, pickles, and spices that complemented the main dish. The term traveled into English in the 14th–15th centuries, initially appearing in culinary texts to describe savoring agents used to enhance taste. Over time, the sense narrowed to refer specifically to substances used as flavor enhancers, distinguishing them from the primary ingredients. Today, condiment remains a general label covering sauces, relishes, seasonings, dressings, and garnishes used to augment flavor in various cuisines.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "condiment" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "condiment" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "condiment"
-ent sounds
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