2 syllables: dair, ies. Stress on dair.
DER-eez
/ˈdɛɹiz/
dairies is pronounced DER-eez (/ˈdɛɹiz/). It has two syllables (dair-ies), with the stress on "dair". Dairies (plural noun) refers to establishments that produce, store, or sell dairy products, such as milk, cheese, and butter. More broadly, it can denote places where dairy goods are manufactured or processed. The term is used in business, agricultural, and everyday contexts to describe facilities involved in dairy production or distribution.
Dairies (plural noun) refers to establishments that produce, store, or sell dairy products, such as milk, cheese, and butter. More broadly, it can denote places where dairy goods are manufactured or processed. The term is used in business, agricultural, and everyday contexts to describe facilities involved in dairy production or distribution.
"The dairies near the countryside often offer tours for visitors."
"Several dairies have expanded into cheese aging and cream production."
"We toured three dairies to compare milk quality and processing methods."
Pronounce as /ˈdeə.riz/ in UK English and /ˈdɛr.iz/ in US English. The first syllable carries primary stress. Start with a clear /d/ followed by /eɪ/ (or /ɛ/ in US), then the /r/ sound and a light /iz/ ending. Tip: avoid turning the /eɪ/ into a lax sound; keep it steady and then release into /r/ (US: rhotic). Audio resources can help you hear the subtle /r/ coloring in different accents.
Common errors: treating the first syllable as /di/ instead of /deɪ/, causing a dimmer, shorter vowel; dropping the /r/ or muting the final /z/ making it /ɪz/ or /iz/ too long. Correction: hold the /eɪ/ diphthong with a clear glide into /r/ in US, then finish with a crisp /z/. Ensure the final /z/ is voiced and not devoiced. Practice slow with finger taps to keep syllable rhythm.
US: rhotic /r/ before the vowel onset, /dɛr.iz/ with a darker vowel in some regions. UK: /ˈdeə.ɹiːz/ or /ˈdeə.ɪ.ɹiz/ depending on accent; often less rhotic coloring in non-rhotic varieties. AU: /ˈdæɹˌɪz/ or /ˈdæː.ɹiz/ with a flatter, broad vowel and a less pronounced /r/. The final /z/ remains voiced; vowel quality and rhoticity shift shape the overall timbre. Listen to regional references for precise comparisons.
The difficulty lies in blending the diphthong in the first syllable (/eɪ/ or /ɛ/) with the rhotic /r/ and the ending /iz/. You must avoid a clipped /da/ or a drawn-out /ar/; keep a steady glide through the first syllable into the /r/ and then a short, crisp /iz/. For non-American speakers, achieving the US /r/ color and the American vowel length can be challenging. Practice with minimal pairs to stabilize each segment.
The word-specific challenge is the consecutive consonant cluster after the first vowel and the rhotic /r/ that links to the final /iz/. It’s not simply 'dairy' pluralized; the extra syllable boundary changes intonation and stress. You’re signaling plurality among facilities, so a tiny pitch rise at the penultimate syllable helps clarity. Pay attention to voice onset time for the /z/ to avoid a fricative blend with preceding /i/.
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Dairies derives from the plural of dairy, which comes from the Old French raise, dairier,
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "dairies" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "dairies" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "dairies"
-ies sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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