3 syllables: co, py, rights. Stress on co.
KAH-pee-reyets
/ˈkɑpiˌɹaɪts/
copyrights is pronounced KAH-pee-reyets (/ˈkɑpiˌɹaɪts/). It has three syllables (co-py-rights), with the stress on "co". Copyrights refers to legal rights granted to the creators of original works, allowing exclusive use and distribution. As a plural noun, it denotes multiple rights or instances of copyright protection. The term is commonly used in legal, publishing, and media contexts, and appears in discussions of intellectual property law, infringement, and licensing.
Copyrights refers to legal rights granted to the creators of original works, allowing exclusive use and distribution. As a plural noun, it denotes multiple rights or instances of copyright protection. The term is commonly used in legal, publishing, and media contexts, and appears in discussions of intellectual property law, infringement, and licensing.
"The copyrights for the film are due to expire next year."
"Many artists are concerned about protecting their copyrights online."
"The museum protects its copyrights but licenses photography of the exhibit."
Pronounce as /ˈkɒp.iˌraɪts/ in US and UK. The primary stress is on the first syllable COP-, with a secondary stress on -rightS. The vowel in the first syllable is the short o as in 'cot', followed by a light 'py' sequence, then the two-syllable 'rights' part /ˌraɪts/ with a long I diphthong. Ensure your lips round slightly for /ɒ/ and keep the tongue low in the back to prevent a too-tight /ɒ/ in rapid speech. Audio references include major pronunciation guides and dictionaries, which confirm the primary stress and vowel qualities.
Common errors include misplacing the primary stress (say COPy-rights with incorrect emphasis) and mispronouncing /ˈkɒp.iˌraɪts/ as /ˈkoʊp.ɪ.raɪts/ with a long /oʊ/ in the first syllable or flattening /raɪts/ to /ræts/. Another frequent issue is swallowing or slurring the /t/ leading to /ˈkɒpɪraɪts/ without clear boundary between /p/ and /ɪ/. Correction: clearly articulate COP- with rounded /ɒ/, then produce a crisp /i/ in the second syllable, followed by a distinct /raɪts/ without altering the /ɹ/ and /aɪ/ sequence. Practice with minimal pairs to lock rhythm.
In US/UK, the word remains /ˈkɒp.iˌraɪts/ with first-syllable /ɒ/ (short o) and /raɪts/ as in 'rites'. US and UK share rhotic or non-rhotic tendencies depending on context, but /ɹ/ is typically pronounced in rhotic US. AU tends to maintain the same segments but may exhibit a slightly broader /ɒ/ and faster rhythm. The main differences are vowel quality and the subtle duration of British /ɪ/ vs American /ɪ/ in the second syllable; keep /i/ close to a short vowel, then glide into /raɪts/, ensuring the final /ts/ is crisp.
The difficulty lies in the two-syllable stress pattern with a secondary stress on the final element, and the sequence /pɪ/ or /p.i/ between /kɒ/ and /raɪts/. The transition from a stop /p/ to a high-front sound /i/ can blur in rapid speech, and the final /ts/ cluster can be challenging for non-native speakers. Focus on keeping the first syllable compact with /ɒ/ and then moving directly into /raɪts/ without inserting extra vowels. Practice slow, then natural tempo to stabilize rhythm.
Is there a subtle pause or boundary between the stem 'copyright' and the plural suffix '-s' in fast speech? No deliberate pause is required; the plural suffix blends smoothly with the final /ts/. In careful speech, you may slightly emphasize the boundary to avoid run-together syllables, producing /ˈkɒp.iˌraɪts/ with a clear stop between /raɪt/ and /s/ only as needed. Practicing connected speech ensures natural rhythm while maintaining the correct plural pronunciation.
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Copyrights originated from the concept of copyright, a legal grant protecting authors and creators. The term copyright first emerged in English law during the 18th century, aligning with early print culture and the expansion of publishing. The suffix -rights reflects the bundle of exclusive entitlements granted to authors, such as reproduction, distribution, and adaptation. The word combines the noun copyright (the protection itself) with the plural suffix -s to indicate multiple rights or instances. Earlier forms in legal writing sometimes used phrases like “the copyright” to denote the body of law, gradually standardizing to the modern plural “copyrights” in contexts referring to multiple rights or works. The concept evolved from granting exclusive control over printed works to broader protections for digital media, software, and artistic creations. Its usage has grown worldwide, influenced by treaties and national laws, yet the basic idea remains the same: exclusive control over the use and dissemination of creative content for a limited period to incentivize innovation and investment.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "copyrights" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "copyrights"
-ces sounds
-ses sounds
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