4 syllables: con, si, der, ate. Stress on si.
kuhn-SID-uh-ruht
/kənˈsɪdərət/
considerate is pronounced kuhn-SID-uh-ruht (/kənˈsɪdərət/). It has four syllables (con-si-der-ate), with the stress on "si". Considerate means thoughtful and mindful of others’ needs or feelings, often acting to avoid causing discomfort or inconvenience. It implies a steady, considerate behavior over time, rather than impulsive kindness. In use, it describes people who notice how their actions affect others and adjust accordingly.
Considerate means thoughtful and mindful of others’ needs or feelings, often acting to avoid causing discomfort or inconvenience. It implies a steady, considerate behavior over time, rather than impulsive kindness. In use, it describes people who notice how their actions affect others and adjust accordingly.
"She was very considerate and offered to share her notes after missing class."
"A considerate roommate always asks before borrowing things and cleans up afterward."
"The hotel staff were considerate, making sure guests with special needs were well accommodated."
Pronounced kən-SID-ər-ət, with primary stress on the second syllable. Start with a schwa in the first syllable, then a clear /ˈsɪd/ in the second, followed by /ər/ in the third, and a reduced /ət/ at the end. IPA: US/UK/AU: kənˈsɪdərət. Think of saying ‘cuhn-SID-uh-ruht’ quickly in connected speech.
Common errors include stressing the first syllable (con-SID-er-ate instead of kən-SID-ə-rət) and merging the /t/ with the following vowel, producing a choppy or unclear ending. Another frequent slip is pronouncing the final -ate as /eɪt/ or dropping the r-sound in non-rhotic accents. Correction: place primary stress on the second syllable, keep the final unstressed syllables light, and pronounce the /r/ as a soft rhotic consonant in rhotic accents.
US: /kənˈsɪdərət/ with rhotic /r/ and clear /ə/ vowels. UK: /kənˈsɪd(ə)rət/ often with weaker rhoticity in some regions, slightly höher vowel quality in /ɪ/; final /ə/ and /t/ are clear. AU: /kənˈsɪdərət/ similar to US but with more length in vowels and a more non-rhotic feel in casual speech depending on the speaker. In all, the second syllable bears primary stress; the final /t/ is often flapped or lightly aspirated in rapid speech.
Two tricky parts: the reduced schwa in the first syllable and the mid-central /ər/ sequence in the third syllable, which can blur in fast speech. Also, the sequence /dər/ can be challenging because it blends a voiced alveolar stop with a rhotic vowel, causing subtle timing issues between /d/ and /ər/. Practicing the exact sequence with controlled pauses helps maintain clarity.
The word relies on a clear secondary stress cue in rapid speech: while the primary stress is on /ˈsɪd/, native speakers often cue the softer /ər/ as a quick, almost syllabic blend before the final /ət/. Paying attention to the transition from /ər/ to /ət/—keeping the /r/ soft and the /t/ lightly released—improves naturalness in conversation.
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Considerate comes from the verb consider, derived from Latin considerare, which means to examine, weigh, or think about. The Latin root com- (with) plus sidere (to sit) contributes to a sense of weighing ideas while sitting with them, though the modern meaning centers on mindful behavior toward others. The word entered English in the 16th century, originally meaning thoughtful or weighing one’s actions carefully, often with a moral or social dimension. By the 17th–18th centuries it narrowed to the current sense of regard for others’ feelings and comfort, supported by usage in moral and literary contexts. Throughout its history, considerate maintained a gentle, socially conscious sense, evolving alongside English norms of politeness, etiquette, and interpersonal sensitivity. First known uses appear in moral and descriptive prose of early modern England, and it gained traction in everyday speech as a descriptor for people who consistently act with care for others’ welfare. Modern usage retains both the behavioral and interpersonal emphasis, often pairing with adjectives like “very” or “empathetic” and appearing across professional, domestic, and social registers.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "considerate" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "considerate"
-ive sounds
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