2 syllables: Con, done. Stress on done.
kuhn-DOHN
/kəˈndoʊn/
Condone is pronounced kuhn-DOHN (/kəˈndoʊn/). It has two syllables (Con-done), with the stress on "done". Condone is a verb meaning to accept or overlook behavior that is wrong or offensive. It implies giving tacit approval rather than endorsing openly, often suggesting a tolerance of actions one believes should be condemned. The term frequently appears in moral, legal, and social discussions about tolerating or not condemning certain conduct.
verbCondone is a verb meaning to accept or overlook behavior that is wrong or offensive. It implies giving tacit approval rather than endorsing openly, often suggesting a tolerance of actions one believes should be condemned. The term frequently appears in moral, legal, and social discussions about tolerating or not condemning certain conduct.
- Common Phonetic Challenges: • Stress placement and vowel length in the second syllable: put strong emphasis on /ˈdoʊn/, not the first syllable; practice by saying kuhn-DOHN slowly, then at normal speed. • Final n-sound clarity: Don’t leave the /n/ under-articulated; finish with a crisp nasal release. • Vowel quality: make sure the /oʊ/ is a true diphthong, with a rounded start and gliding to /ʊn/? Wait—correction: final is /oʊn/ where the nucleus is /oʊ/ and the trailing consonant is /n/. Practice tightening lip rounding during the glide. - Corrections: • Use a quick, short /k/ release, then a clear /ə/ before the stressed /ˈdoʊn/. • Practice with minimal pairs: condone vs. coned? Not a perfect pair; instead contrast with “condone” vs. “condone?” Hmm. (Ignore) Focus on /ə/ vs /u/ in related words to train reduction. • Record and compare: say it in isolation, then in sentence; adjust to ensure stress on the second syllable is audible and the /oʊ/ is clean.
"The university cannot condone cheating, and students must face disciplinary action."
"She refused to condone his rude behavior toward colleagues."
"Authorities cannot condone violence, even in self-defense."
Condone is pronounced kən-DOHN. The primary stress falls on the second syllable. Break it into phonemes: /k/ + /ə/ + /n/ + /ˈdoʊn/. The middle schwa is subtle, and the vowel in the second syllable is a long /oʊ/. Tip: say “kuhn-DOHN” with a quick, crisp /k/ and a closed mouth for /oʊn/. Audio reference: you can compare with online dictionaries for listening practice.
Common mistakes: misplacing the stress on the first syllable (con-DOHN instead of con-DONE), pronouncing the second syllable with a short /o/ like 'con-dun' instead of /doʊn/, and slurring the final /n/ making it sound like ‘condone’ with a hidden vowel. Corrections: emphasize the second syllable with a clear /ˈdoʊn/ and keep the final /n/ crisp. Practice with slow repeats: /kənˈdoʊn/ and gradually speed up.
In US English, /kənˈdoʊn/ features a rhotic schwa preceding the stressed /doʊn/ and a clear long /oʊ/; the /r/ is not involved. UK English often uses /kənˈdəʊn/, with a slightly shorter /ə/ in the first syllable and a more open /əʊ/ in the second. Australian English tends toward /kənˈdəʊn/ with a broad vowel in the second syllable and a more centralized first-syllable schwa. All share the stress on the second syllable but differ in vowel realization of the depending on the accent.
The difficulty lies in the unstressed first syllable /kən/ blending quickly into the stressed /ˈdoʊn/, plus the long vowel /oʊ/ that requires a precise, rounded lip shape and a smooth glide into final /n/. Learners may mispronounce with a flat short vowel in the second syllable or an accented on the first, making it sound like ‘condon’ or ‘con-done’ in some dialects. Focus on the long diphthong /oʊ/ and a crisp final /n/ to achieve accuracy.
The unique feature is the /ˈdoʊn/ nucleus's long vowel that demands a rounded lip posture and an audible ending /n/. The /ə/ in the first syllable is often reduced (schwa), so avoid over-articulating it; otherwise the word can sound like ‘condone’ with a heavier syllable in the first part. Also, ensure the consonant cluster before the vowel remains light to avoid a harsh onset. IPA reference: /kənˈdoʊn/ (US), /kənˈdəʊn/ (UK/AU).
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- US differences: rhotic accent, /r/ is not involved in Condone, but you’ll hear crisper /ə/ in some speakers; /oʊ/ tends to be a tight diphthong. - UK differences: /ˈdəʊn/ more open /əʊ/; more central schwa in first syllable; slightly less rhoticity; final /n/ is clear but not overly nasal. - AU differences: tends toward /kənˈdəʊn/, with less vowel reduction in the first syllable; more T-glottalization? Not for this word; keep a clear /ə/. - Practical tips: practice the /ˈdoʊn/ vowel with lip rounding; keep jaw relaxed on the first syllable; maintain a steady amplitude in the diphthong across accents.
Condone comes from the combination of the Latin prefix con- meaning with, together, and donar, meaning to forgive or give. The word traces to the Latin verb donare (to give) and the prefix con-, giving a sense of “to give with,” or “to forgive.” In early English, the form condone appeared in the 16th century with the sense of giving mercy or pardon. Over time it shifted toward the modern nuance of tolerating or overlooking improper conduct rather than approving it. The semantic drift reflects a legal and moral framework where to condone is not to condemn, but to permit something by turning a blind eye. First known use attested in legal and moral texts of the late 1500s, the word entered common usage in the 17th–18th centuries, aligning with discussions about whether certain acts should be tolerated in society. Modern usage maintains this tension: condoning something is less about endorsement and more about a failure to actively condemn it, often carrying negative moral judgments beyond mere passive tolerance.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Condone" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "Condone"
-one sounds
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