3 syllables: con, sum, ers. Stress on sum.
kuhn-SOO-murz
/kəˈnsumɚz/
consumers is pronounced kuhn-SOO-murz (/kəˈnsumɚz/). It has three syllables (con-sum-ers), with the stress on "sum". Consumers refers to people who purchase goods or services for personal use. In commerce and sociology, it describes a group interacting with markets and brands. The term implies collective behavior of buyers, influencing demand, trends, and market dynamics through purchasing choices and consumption patterns.
Consumers refers to people who purchase goods or services for personal use. In commerce and sociology, it describes a group interacting with markets and brands. The term implies collective behavior of buyers, influencing demand, trends, and market dynamics through purchasing choices and consumption patterns.
- Misplacing stress on the first syllable (con-SUM-ers) or not sustaining the second syllable's vowel; correct by practicing with minimal pairs and stress drills. - Mispronouncing the /ˈsjuː/ sequence as /siː/ or /juː/ alone; fix by isolating and then chaining with the preceding schwa, emphasizing the palatal glide /j/ and rounded /uː/. - Final consonant confusion: pronouncing /z/ as /s/ or dropping it in rapid speech; ensure voicing by gently vibrating the vocal cords and finishing with /z/.
"The study examined how urban consumers respond to sustainable packaging."
"Many consumers are choosing streaming services over traditional cable."
"Brand loyalty campaigns often target first-time consumers."
Pronounce as /kənˈsjuːmərz/ (US) or /kənˈsjuːməz/ (UK/AU) with stress on the second syllable. Start with a neutral schwa in the first syllable, then an intensively rounded /juː/ as in 'few' or 'you', followed by /mər/ or /məz/ depending on dialect. Tip: keep the /s/ after the /m/ clear, and finish with a voiced /z/ in most US contexts. Audio references: Cambridge and Oxford dictionaries provide speaker recordings for comparison.
Common errors: misplacing stress (putting emphasis on the first syllable con-), mispronouncing the /juː/ as /ʊ/ or /uː/ incorrectly, and omitting the final /z/ or turning it into /s/. Correction: emphasize the second syllable with /ˈsjuː/ and ensure the sequence /kən ˈsjuː mər z/ in US. For non-rhotic speakers, ensure the final /z/ voice is audible; avoid devoicing. Practice: say con-SYU-merz slowly, then blend faster while keeping the /s/ + /m/ transition smooth.
US: rhotic; clear /r/ at the end and final /z/ voiced. UK: often non-rhotic leading to weaker /r/; final /z/ can be realized as /z/ but less prominent; vowel /juː/ length can vary. AU: rhotic-like with broader vowels; /ər/ at the end may sound like /əz/ in some contexts; faster connected speech reduces vowel length. IPA guidance: US /kənˈsjuːmərz/, UK /kənˈsjuːməz/, AU /kənˈsjuːməz/.
The main challenges are clustering of consonants between /k/ and /s/ across syllables and the /ˈsjuː/ sequence, which requires the tongue to transition quickly from alveolar to palatal positions. The rounded /juː/ vowel is also sensitive in non-rhotic dialects. Additionally, final voicing contrast of /z/ can be faint in fast speech. Focus on maintaining a crisp /s/ then /juː/ and finishing with a clear /mər(z)/ for US.
A distinctive feature is the /ˈsjuː/ sequence after the initial schwa, which blends the alveolar stop with a high front rounded vowel. This glide can be challenging for non-native speakers who may substitute /j/ for /ɪ/ or misplace lip rounding. Practicing the glide in isolation (syllable /sjuː/) helps ensure accurate onset cluster and reduces mispronunciations in rapid speech.
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US: maintain rhotics and stronger final /z/, ensure clear /ɜr/ or /ər/ depending on speaker. UK: non-rhotic tendency; let the /r/ fade; keep /ˈsjuː/ as a rounded glide; AU: merge rhotic tendencies with vowel shifts, keep /ə/ before /ˈsjuː/ shorter, but keep /z/ audible in fast speech.
The word consumer derives from the Latin consumere, meaning to take up, spend, use, or eat. The noun form entered English via Old French consommer in the medieval period, retaining the sense of using up resources or goods. In early modern English, consumer referred specifically to someone who purchases goods for private use, as opposed to producers or merchants. Over time, the term broadened to encompass a psychological and sociological identity: individuals who make choices in markets, driven by preferences, information, and social influences. By the 20th century, consumer culture and consumer rights movements popularized the term in economics, marketing, and policy discourse. The etymology reflects a crucial shift from mere consumption to the agency and behavior of individuals within economic systems. First known uses appear in 14th–15th century texts in Latin and Old French sources, with English attestations appearing by the 15th century and expanding in common usage through the industrial era and modern marketing parlance.
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Words that rhyme with "consumers"
-ers sounds
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