4 syllables: co, po, ly, mer. Stress on po.
koh-POH-lim-ur
/koʊˈpoʊlɪmɚ/
copolymer is pronounced koh-POH-lim-ur (/koʊˈpoʊlɪmɚ/). It has four syllables (co-po-ly-mer), with the stress on "po". Copolymer is a polymer formed from two or more different monomer species, combining their properties to yield materials with tailored characteristics. It typically refers to a polymer made from two distinct monomers that alternate, randomize, or block-merge within the chain. The term is common in chemistry and materials science, especially for plastics and elastomers with customized performance.
Copolymer is a polymer formed from two or more different monomer species, combining their properties to yield materials with tailored characteristics. It typically refers to a polymer made from two distinct monomers that alternate, randomize, or block-merge within the chain. The term is common in chemistry and materials science, especially for plastics and elastomers with customized performance.
- You may drift into a two-syllable rhythm: co-po- LY - mer; instead, keep the stress on LY and maintain a three-stress feel: co-po-LY-mer. - The /pə/ can collapse into /po/ when said quickly; keep the schwa to preserve syllable information. - Endings like -mer can become /mər/ or /mɚ/; ensure you finish with a light schwa and a clear /r/ in rhotic accents.
"The copolymer exhibits improved impact resistance compared with its homopolymer"
"Researchers synthesized a styrene–acrylonitrile copolymer to enhance clarity and temp stability"
"Industrial grades of copolymers are engineered for specific sealing and packaging applications"
Pronounce as /ˌkoʊ.pəˈlaɪ.mər/ in US English, with primary stress on the third syllable: co-po-LY-mer. In careful speech, each syllable is crisp: co-po-ly-mer. The first two syllables are light; the main emphasis falls on the ‘ly’ /ˈlaɪ/ portion, followed by a lighter final /mər/. US speakers often reduce /pə/ to a schwa-less /pə/; keep it as /pə/ for clarity. UK English tends toward /ˌkəʊ.pɒˈlaɪ.mə/ or /ˌkəʊ.pəˈlaɪ.mə/, while Australian follows US patterns but with a slightly warmer vowel in /ə/. Audio reference: imagine saying “co-po-LY-mer” with the stress after the second syllable.
Common errors: 1) Misplacing stress (trying to stress the first syllable). Correct: secondary stress on ‘LY’ with primary on ‘LY’ (co-po-LY-mer). 2) Slurring /pə/ into a stronger /po/ or dropping the middle vowel. Keep the /ə/ as a light, unstressed schwa. 3) Mispronouncing the final /mər/ as /mer/ or /mər/ with a heavy vowel. Aim for a quick /mər/ with a soft /ə/. 4) Vowel quality in /koʊ/ or /koʊ/ vs /kəʊ/. Maintain a long /oʊ/ in US English; UK/AU may sound closer to /kəʊ/ at the start.
US: /ˌkoʊ.pəˈlaɪ.mər/, rhotic /r/; strong /oʊ/ and clear /ˈlaɪ/. UK: /ˌkəʊ.pəˈlaɪ.mə/, vowel in first syllable often more rounded; non-rhotic or weak /r/ at the end; final /ə/ slightly reduced. Australia: /ˌkəʊ.pəˈlaɪ.mə/ similar to UK but with Australian vowel quality; some speakers reduce the second /ə/ slightly and may have less rhoticity depending on region.
Three main challenges: the multi-syllabic structure with stress on the third syllable, the sequence /pəˈlaɪ/ where /p/ and /ə/ can blur, and the final /mər/ where speakers may shift to /mer/ or drop the schwa. Practicing the exact sequence co-po-LY-mer with even tempo and maintaining a light, unstressed /ə/ before the /laɪ/ helps. Visualize the mouth moving through lips, jaw, and tongue positions; use slow practice, then speed up while keeping accuracy.
What about pronouncing the ‘co-’ prefix when the word starts with ‘co-’ and the following syllable begins with a vowel sound? In copolymer, the prefix co- is lightly connected to the next syllable; avoid an exaggerated pause between /koʊ/ and /pə/. Keep a smooth transition: /ˌkoʊ.pəˈlaɪ.mər/ (US). If you’re speaking quickly, you might hear slight reduction in the /pə/, but keep it audible for clarity.
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- US: emphasize /ˈkoʊ/ and /laɪ/ clearly; rhotic /r/ at the end keeps the word rounded. - UK: softer /ə/ in /koʊ/ becomes /kəʊ/; non-rhotic style means the final /r/ may be silent or weak. - AU: similar to US but with slightly more centralized vowels; maintain the long /oʊ/ in the first syllable and a clear /laɪ/; keep final /ə/ light.
Copolymer derives from combining two roots: co- (together) and polymer (poly- ‘many’ + -mer from Greek meros 'part'). The concept emerged in polymer chemistry in the early 20th century as scientists explored multi-monomer chains to tailor properties. The term polymer originates from Greek polys ‘many’ and meros ‘part’; copolymer adds the prefix co- to indicate two or more distinct monomer units in one macromolecule. The first use of “copolymer” in scientific literature traces to the mid-20th century as polymer chemists developed copolymeric materials such as styrene–butadiene copolymers for elastomeric properties. Over decades, copolymers expanded to various systems (random, alternating, block) to achieve specific glass transition temperatures, toughness, adhesion, or chemical resistance. The suffix -mer remains tied to the repeating unit, while co- signals the presence of varied monomers. Modern usage spans academic writing and industrial catalogues, reflecting the ongoing refinement and application of copolymeric materials across sectors.
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Words that rhyme with "copolymer"
-mer sounds
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