2 syllables: con, sist. Stress on sist.
kuhn-SIST
/kəˈnsɪst/
consist is pronounced kuhn-SIST (/kəˈnsɪst/). It has two syllables (con-sist), with the stress on "sist". Consist means to be made up or composed of something; to have as an essential or main component. It also means to be in agreement or harmony with a standard or rule. The term is commonly used in formal writing and academic contexts to describe the parts that together form a whole, or to indicate conformity to a stated criterion.
Consist means to be made up or composed of something; to have as an essential or main component. It also means to be in agreement or harmony with a standard or rule. The term is commonly used in formal writing and academic contexts to describe the parts that together form a whole, or to indicate conformity to a stated criterion.
"The committee’s decision will consist of three parts: analysis, recommendations, and implementation."
"Her argument does not consist with the evidence presented in the report."
"The recipe consists of flour, sugar, eggs, and butter."
Pronounce as /kənˈsɪst/. The stress falls on the second syllable: con-SIST. Begin with a weak /kən/ laban, with the schwa varying to /kən/ before a clear /ˈsɪst/. The final consonant is a crisp /t/. Audio cue: listen to /kənˈsɪst/ in word lists or phrases like ‘consist of’ to confirm natural rhythm.
Common errors: (1) Stressed first syllable CON-sist instead of con-SIST, which changes natural English rhythm. (2) Overemphasizing the /s/ so you produce /ˈkɒnsɪst/ or /kənˈsɪst/ with a longer /ɒ/ or /ɪ/ vowel; keep the vowel neutral as /ə/ before /ˈsɪst/. (3) Dropping the final /t/ or adding a vowel after it; conclude with a crisp /t/. Correction tips: practice the two-syllable flow con-SIST with a light, unstressed /kən/ then a strong /ˈsɪst/; use a minimal pair drill with ‘consist of’ and ‘consistency’ to isolate the /ˈsɪst/ portion.
In US, /kənˈsɪst/ with rhotic? The word itself is not rhotic-heavy, but the preceding context can affect vowels; UK typically /kənˈsɪst/ with a slightly clipped, non-rhotic vowel before /s/; Australian is similar to UK but with a more centralized vowel in /ə/ and a very crisp final /t/. Stress remains on the second syllable in all three. The main difference is subtle vowel quality: US tends to a shorter schwa in the first syllable and slightly tenser /ɪ/ in /ˈsɪst/, UK/AU can show a more centralized /ə/ and shorter first syllable in fast speech.
Because it pairs a light, unstressed weak syllable con- with a strong stressed -sist, requiring precise tongue position to avoid blending /kən/ into a stronger vowel. The /ˈsɪst/ final is a short, tense vowel followed by a voiceless alveolar stop; many speakers blur the final /t/ or insert a vowel. The transition from a reduced vowel to a crisp /s/ and then /t/ is a common source of sloppiness; practicing with slow, clear enunciations helps you maintain the contrast between the syllables.
A unique feature is the /ˈsɪst/ segment that follows a reduced /kən/ prefix. The second syllable carries the primary stress and has a short, clipped vowel /ɪ/ and a clear /s/ before the final /t/. Ensuring the /ɪ/ is not merged with a following schwa and maintaining crisp final /t/ distinguishes correct pronunciation from common slurs like /kənˈsɪst/ with diluted final consonant.
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The verb consist comes from Middle English consisten, from Latin consistere, meaning 'to stand together, halt, or take a stand' from con- 'together' + sistere 'to cause to stand' (from the verb stare, 'to stand'). In Latin, consistere conveyed the sense of standing together, coming to a stand, or establishing itself as a unit. In English, by the 14th century, consist was used in senses like 'to be composed of' or 'to be included within a whole.' Over time, it broadened to cover more abstract senses such as 'to agree with' (as part of phrases like 'This does not consist with…') and later took on more precise usage in formal writing to denote the elements that form a whole rather than a process. The core notion remains the same: constituent parts standing together to form a whole. First known use in English is attested in the 14th century. Modern usage emphasizes compositional relationships (parts that constitute a whole) rather than physical assembly alone, with frequent use in scientific, legal, and academic texts.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "consist" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "consist" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "consist"
-ist sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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