3 syllables: Dai, qui, ri. Stress on Dai.
DAK-ur-ee
/ˈdækɚi/
Daiquiri is pronounced DAK-ur-ee (/ˈdækɚi/). It has three syllables (Dai-qui-ri), with the stress on "Dai". Daiquiri is a small, frozen cocktail typically made with rum, lime juice, and sugar. In modern usage, it also refers to a serving of this drink, sometimes served as a slushy or frozen beverage. As a proper noun in names (e.g., Daiquiri, Cuba), it’s pronounced with emphasis on the second syllable and features a soft, non-rhotic 'r' depending on accent.
nounDaiquiri is a small, frozen cocktail typically made with rum, lime juice, and sugar. In modern usage, it also refers to a serving of this drink, sometimes served as a slushy or frozen beverage. As a proper noun in names (e.g., Daiquiri, Cuba), it’s pronounced with emphasis on the second syllable and features a soft, non-rhotic 'r' depending on accent.
How to Pronounce Daiquiri
"I ordered a classic Daiquiri, shaken, not frozen."
"The seaside bar served a pineapple Daiquiri alongside their rum mojitos."
"Her favorite cocktail is the Daiquiri, especially on hot summer evenings."
Daiquiri is pronounced /ˌdaɪkɪˈriː/. The primary stress lands on the second syllable: daɪ-KI-ree. The first syllable rhymes with 'pie' (dai). The middle shows a light /ɪ/ as in 'kit'. The final /riː/ has a long 'ee' sound. Tip: say 'dye-KEE-ree' quickly, then emphasize the -ree, keeping the /r/ soft or non-rhotic depending on your accent. For a quick audio reference, listen to reputable pronunciation resources and imitate the cadence.
Common errors include stressing the wrong syllable (KI vs DI-), pronouncing the final syllable as /ri/ with a short vowel, and misplacing the /ɪ/ in the middle. Correction: stress the second syllable: /ˌdaɪkɪˈriː/. Keep the middle vowel as a pure /ɪ/ (not a schwa) and lengthen the final /iː/ for the characteristic long vowel. Practice with slow repetition and minimal pairs like 'diphthong' contrasts to ensure you’re not turning /ɪ/ into /i/ or altering the final syllable’s length.
US: /ˌdaɪkɪˈriː/, rhotic, final /riː/ with a clear long E. UK: /ˌdaɪkɪˈriː/, non-rhotic? Often a slightly clipped finale, but final /riː/ remains, stress on -ri. AU: /ˌdaɪkɪˈriː/, similar to US, but with Australian vowel quality where /ɪ/ may be more centralized slightly and intonation more rising. The middle /ɪ/ remains short; the key is stress on the second syllable. All maintain the long final /iː/ but vowel color and articulation can differ subtly by rhoticity and pacing.
Daiquiri presents a combination of a rare triplet of sounds in quick succession: the initial 'dai-' with the diphthong /aɪ/ blending into the /k/ cluster, followed by /ɪ/ in the middle and the final /riː/. The challenge is keeping the middle /ɪ/ distinct while not letting the second syllable merge into the first; also maintaining the short /ɪ/ before a bright /riː/. The result should be 'dye-kee-ree' with clear separation between the syllables and a long final /iː/.
Daiquiri features a triconsonantal onset across syllables and a liquid ending that can be softened in some accents. The stress pattern is fixed on the second syllable, which means you must slightly reduce the first syllable and give weight to -KI- and -ree. Watch for the potential mishearing of /kɪ/ as /kə/ in fast speech. Keep the /ˈriː/ final intact with a crisp, audible long vowel.
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Daiquiri derives from the name of a small town on the coast near Santiago de Cuba, Daiquiri, which itself is of uncertain origin but likely of Taino or early Spanish influence. The drink was popularized in the early 20th century by American mining engineers and expatriates stationed in Cuba, notably around the 1890s–1920s era. The term entered English through newspapers and cocktail culture as the drink gained fame at Havana bars and later American bars during Prohibition-era travel, becoming a staple of the frozen cocktail movement. The bar-spun variant “Daiquiri” appears in print in the early 1900s, with early recipes calling for rum, lime juice, and sugar; the modern, blended version with ice was popularized in the mid-20th century. The word’s journey from a local Cuban place name to a global cocktail name mirrors the cross-cultural exchange of culinary terms during the early 20th century. First known use in English appears around the 1900s, with growth in cocktail literature by mid-century as frozen drinks rose in popularity.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Daiquiri" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Daiquiri" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Daiquiri"
-ary sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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