One syllable: crimes.
/ˈkɹaɪmz/
Say it backCrimes is the plural noun or verb form of crime, meaning illegal acts or the act of committing illegal acts. As a noun, it refers to offenses collectively; as a verb, it (third-person singular) means to commit an illegal act. The term is commonly used in legal, journalistic, and everyday discussion about wrongdoing and law enforcement contexts.
"The detective investigated a string of crimes in the city."
"Vigorous penalties aim to deter crimes of passion."
"These crimes include theft, fraud, and vandalism."
Pronounce CRIMES as /kraɪmz/. It’s a one-syllable word with a long I diphthong /aɪ/ after the initial /kr/ cluster. The final /mz/ combines a voiced /m/ with a clear /z/; keep the /z/ voicing steady as in 'zoo.' Lip position: relaxed, slightly spread; tongue: blade just behind lower teeth for /r/? Actually /r/ is an approximant; keep tongue bunched toward the alveolar ridge. IPA reference: /kraɪmz/. You’ll hear a brief pause between preconsonantal sounds in careful speech, but in quick speech it blends smoothly.
Common errors: (1) Pronouncing it as /kraɪm/ (dropping the final /z/). Correction: keep /mz/ at the end: /kraɪmz/. (2) Mispronouncing the final /z/ as /s/ or a voiceless sound. Correction: voice the final consonant: /mz/ with vocal fold vibration. (3) Lengthening the vowel before the final cluster. Correction: end the /aɪ/ crisply into the /m/ without adding extra vowel time.
Across US/UK/AU, the pronunciation is largely the same: /kraɪmz/. Slight variations: US speakers may have a slightly tighter /ɹ/ quality after /k/ and quicker /aɪ/ transition; UK and AU may have very similar rhoticity (non-rhotic in some dialects historically, but modern RP and Australian tend to be rhotic). The vowel /aɪ/ quality remains a diphthong but can be produced with a slightly more open or centralized starting point depending on speaker. The final /z/ remains voiced in all three.” ,
The difficulty lies in the final cluster /mz/ after a closed syllable and the need to voice the final consonant without adding an extra vowel. Critical challenges include keeping the /z/ voiced and not turning the word into /kraɪm/ or /kraɪmz/ with a voiceless ending. Ensure a clean transition from /m/ to /z/ by maintaining steady breath support and precise tongue placement at the alveolar ridge. IPA helps you verify: /kraɪmz/.
Unique angle: the word’s plural form imposes a sibilant /z/ immediately after the nasal /m/. The /z/ requires voicing and mild foreshadowing in a stressed context. When saying ‘crimes,’ you should finish with the vibrating /z/ without adding a separate vowel; it’s a tight, one-syllable burst. If your voice falters, practice with minimal pairs like crime/crimes to feel the added /z/ onset.
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Crimes comes from the Old French crime, then Latin crimen meaning “an accusation, charge, or offense,” from crīmen meaning “judicial decision, charge, or crime.” In English, crime was extended to refer to unlawful acts. The plural crimes emerged to denote multiple offenses or the general category of illegal acts. The sense evolved in the medieval and early modern periods as legal language crystallized, distinguishing acts punishable by law. By the 14th–15th centuries, crime in plural form was used in criminal codes and court records to describe a catalog of offenses. In modern usage, crimes commonly collocate with adjectives such as “serious,” “petty,” or “violent,” and with verbs like “commit,” “prevent,” or “investigate.” The word retains a strong formal/legal flavor but has broad everyday applicability in reporting and discussion of wrongdoing.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "crimes" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "crimes" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "crimes" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "crimes"
-mes sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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