2 syllables: Con, dor. Stress on Con.
KAHN-dur
/ˈkɑndɚ/
Condor is pronounced KAHN-dur (/ˈkɑndɚ/). It has two syllables (Con-dor), with the stress on "Con". Condor is a large New World vulture, notable for its massive wingspan and soaring flight. As a noun, it refers to either the Andean condor (Vultur gryphus) or a generic large vulture of similar genus. The term carries connotations of endurance and high-altitude mastery in both natural history and metaphor.
nounCondor is a large New World vulture, notable for its massive wingspan and soaring flight. As a noun, it refers to either the Andean condor (Vultur gryphus) or a generic large vulture of similar genus. The term carries connotations of endurance and high-altitude mastery in both natural history and metaphor.
"The Andean condor circled on the thermal, riding the wind at the edge of the canyon."
"A condor’s wingspan can exceed 3 meters, making it one of the world’s great soaring birds."
"In some films, the condor symbolizes watchfulness and regal patience."
Condor is pronounced with stress on the first syllable: /ˈkɒn.dɔːr/ in American and British English. The first vowel is the short O as in 'cot', followed by an unstressed /n/; the second syllable uses a long O sound similar to 'door', with a final rhotic-less or rhotic vowel depending on dialect. Audio references can be found on pronunciation platforms to hear US, UK, and AU variants. Practice by saying CON-dor with a firm initial stop, then glide into a smooth, rounded second syllable.
Common mistakes include pronouncing the second syllable as /ɔː/ with an open-mid back unrounded vowel in non-rhotic accents or misplacing the stress on the second syllable (con-DOR). Another error is blending the /n/ into the following vowel too quickly, producing /ˈkɒndər/ without the clear break. To correct, emphasize the first syllable with /ˈkɒn/ and clearly separate the second syllable /dɔːr/, ensuring a crisp /d/ onset and rounded /ɔː/ vowel.
In US and UK accents, Condor is /ˈkɒn.dɔːr/, with rhoticity affecting the final /r/ in rhotic accents. In non-rhotic UK varieties, the final /r/ is often silent or only lightly pronounced in careful speech. Australian English similarly features /ˈkɒn.dɔː/ with a non-rhotic tendency in casual speech, though some speakers preserve a light /ɹ/ in careful enunciation. The key differences lie in vowel length and rhotic realization rather than syllable stress, which remains on the first syllable across these dialects.
The difficulty comes from the two-syllable structure with a clear onset in the first syllable and a long, rounded vowel in the second, plus linking consonants. English speakers must manage the transition between /k/ and /ɒ/ and the rounded /ɔː/ vowel in the second syllable, which can be misheard as /ˈkɒndər/ or /ˈkɒndɔː/ in some dialects. Also, the final /r/ can complicate non-rhotic speakers who drop or weaken the /r/. Clear articulation of /d/ and the second syllable vowel helps accuracy.
Yes—note the crisp /d/ onset of the second syllable and the separation between /kɒn/ and /dɔːr/. In careful speech, avoid reducing /kɒn/ to /kɒ/ and ensure the second syllable begins with a distinct /d/ rather than a palatal glide. This word also benefits from practicing the rapid, natural tempo between the two syllables without inserting an extra vowel sound, which can blur the /d/ onset. Listening to native speakers via Forvo or YouGlish can help.
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The word condor traces to the Spanish condor, borrowed from the Quechua name kunduri or kunturi, a large bird revered in Andean cultures. The Spanish form likely entered European languages in the early modern period as natural history expanded during the 16th–17th centuries. Earlier Latin and Greek texts described large vulture-like scavengers, but the modern English term coalesced around the South American and North American raptors grouped under Vultur and later Sarcoramphus in taxonomic usage. The etymology reflects a broader exploration-era fascination with exotic fauna and the perceived majesty of high-flying birds. In usage, condor has come to symbolize vast reach, height, and perspective, frequently appearing in literature and film as a metaphor for elevated surveillance or noble endurance. Over time, the term widened from strictly zoological reference to metaphorical usage in politics, business, and culture to denote grand scale and lofty ascent. The earliest known English usage appears in natural history texts of the 18th century, with continued prominence in ornithology, travel writing, and media portrayals of Andean wildlife.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Condor" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Condor" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Condor"
-der sounds
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