5 syllables: con, fig, u, ra, tions. Stress on ra.
kuhn-fig-yur-AY-shuhnz
/kəˌnfɪɡjɚˈeɪʃənz/
configurations is pronounced kuhn-fig-yur-AY-shuhnz (/kəˌnfɪɡjɚˈeɪʃənz/). It has five syllables (con-fig-u-ra-tions), with the stress on "ra". Configurations refers to the arrangement or settings of a system, device, or program. In plural form, it often describes multiple possible arrangements or parameter sets. The term is commonly used in technical, engineering, and computing contexts to describe how components are organized or configured to achieve a particular function.
Configurations refers to the arrangement or settings of a system, device, or program. In plural form, it often describes multiple possible arrangements or parameter sets. The term is commonly used in technical, engineering, and computing contexts to describe how components are organized or configured to achieve a particular function.
- Misplacing primary stress on the first syllable instead of the /reɪ/ syllable; as a result, the word sounds jumbled and less natural. To fix: rehearse con-FIG-u-ra-tions with deliberate emphasis on the third syllable, then normalize the rhythm. - Blurring the /dʒ/ into /j/ or mispronouncing the /ju/ sequence; practice by isolating 'fig' and 'u' then blend quickly to /jʊ/ or /juː/. - Slurring the ending into /ənz/ or /ʒənz|; maintain a clear /tʃənz/ feel: /-ʃənz/. Use minimal pairs to stabilize rhythm and teach your mouth where the next syllable starts. Remember to keep the /r/ in rhotic accents distinct if you’re aiming for US pronunciation.
"The software offers several configurations to optimize performance on different hardware."
"We evaluated the various configurations of the network to minimize latency."
"Configurations were saved as presets for quick deployment across devices."
Configu-rations is stressed on the third syllable: /ˌkɒn.fɪɡ.juˈreɪ.ʃənz/ (UK) or /ˌkɑːn.fɪɡ.jʊˈreɪ.ʃənz/ (US). Break it into con-fig-u-ra-tions, with the main stress on the 'ra' syllable: -reɪ- in 'reɪ'. The initial 'con' uses a short o or a reduced vowel depending on speed. Ensure the 'fig' blends quickly: /fɪɡ/ as in FIG. Finish with /ˈreɪ.ʃənz/. Audio reference: think of saying “config” quickly, then “-urations” as in “creations” but with ‘fig’.
Two common errors: (1) stressing the wrong syllable—people sometimes place primary stress on the first or second syllable; (2) pronouncing the 'tions' as /tɒns/ or /tɪons/ instead of /-ʃənz/. Correction: keep the /ˈreɪ.ʃənz/ ending, with a soft /ʃ/ before the -ənz and ensure the /dʒ/ or /j/ sound isn’t introduced—there’s no /t/ sound before the -ions. Practice saying ‘config- u- ra- tions’ with a light, connected float between segments.
In US pronunciation, you’ll hear /ˌkɑːn.fɪɡ.juˈreɪ.ʃənz/ with a rhotic r and a clear /ɡ/ in the middle. UK speakers use /ˌkɒn.fɪɡ.juˈreɪ.ʃənz/ with a shorter /ɒ/ and a non-rhotic r; AU tends toward /ˌkɒn.fɪɡ.juˈreɪ.ʃənz/ but with a slightly flatter intonation and similar non-rhoticity. The primary stress remains on the /ˈreɪ/ syllable across accents, but vowel quality in the first and middle syllables can vary subtly.
It’s challenging because it combines multiple consonant clusters—/k/, /n/, /f/, /ɡ/, and /j/—and a four-syllable rhythm with a later stress. The /ɡ.ju/ sequence can blur in fast speech, and the /ˈreɪ.ʃənz/ ending requires precise blending of /ʃ/ and /ənz/. Also, unstressed vowels in the early syllables can reduce, making the word harder to segment clearly. Focus on clear onset /k/, then a controlled glide /j/ before /uː/ or /ju/.
The combination of three consecutive consonant clusters across syllables and the plural -ations ending creates a perceptual click: con-FIG-u-RATIONS. The middle ‘fig’ lands on a stronger, closed syllable that can momentarily hide the following /j/ sound. Maintaining the /j/ as a separate glide before /uː/ or /ju/ helps clarity, and keeping the end /ʃənz/ crisp avoids slurring into /ʒənz/.
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- US: emphasize rhotic /ɹ/ and keep middle vowels precise; use a slightly more rounded /ɪ/ in /fɪɡ/ and a strong /əˈreɪ/ in the latter part. - UK: non-rhotic /r/, shorter /ɒ/ in the first syllable; ensure /ju/ remains a quick, light glide to /ˈreɪ/. - AU: similar to UK but with a flatter intonation; often less pronounced vowels, keep the /ɡ/ crisp before /juˈreɪ/. Reference IPA for all: /ˌkɒn.fɪɡ.juˈreɪ.ʃənz/ (UK), /ˌkɑːn.fɪɡ.juˈreɪ.ʃənz/ (US), /ˌkɒn.fɪɡ.juˈreɪ.ʃənz/ (AU). Focus on rhoticity and vowel quality; US rhotics matter most for “con-” and “-tions” sections.
Configurations derives from the Late Latin configuratio, from Latin configurare, meaning to shape, form, or mold. The root con- (together) + figurare (to shape, form) emerges from fig- (to fashion) with the -ure suffix indicating a result or action. The English adoption occurred in the 15th–16th centuries in legal and architectural contexts, initially referring to the arrangement of parts within a plan. With the rise of computing and engineering in the 20th century, configurations broadened to describe the set of parameters or options that define a system’s state. The sense shifted from physical form to abstract state and parameterization, becoming central in software, hardware, networks, and databases. First known uses appeared in technical treatises describing layouts and structures, and by the late 20th century it became a staple in IT documentation when describing configuration files, settings, and environment setups. The plural form configurations is most common in contexts where multiple possible arrangements are discussed or stored as presets.
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Words that rhyme with "configurations"
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