2 syllables: Dal, ton. Stress on Dal.
DAWL-tuhn
/ˈdɔltən/
Dalton is pronounced DAWL-tuhn (/ˈdɔltən/). It has two syllables (Dal-ton), with the stress on "Dal". Dalton is a proper noun used as a surname or given name, most notably referring to a scientific unit or a person’s name. It denotes a specific, identifiable entity and is pronounced as a distinct two-syllable name, typically used in formal or neutral contexts.
nounDalton is a proper noun used as a surname or given name, most notably referring to a scientific unit or a person’s name. It denotes a specific, identifiable entity and is pronounced as a distinct two-syllable name, typically used in formal or neutral contexts.
"The Dalton scale is used to measure atmospheric humidity."
"Dalton visited the lab to discuss molecular theory."
"Her middle name is Dalton, which she proudly carries into professional settings."
Dalton is pronounced with two syllables: DAWL-tən in most accents. The primary stress falls on the first syllable. IPA: US/UK/AU: ˈdɔːl.tən. Start with a clear 'd' followed by a long open back vowel /ɔː/ like in 'law', then an unstressed 'ton' with a schwa-like or reduced /ə/ or /ɜː/ depending on accent. Practice by saying 'dawl' + 'ton' slowly, then blend.
Common errors: (1) Overpronouncing the second syllable as a full 'ton' with /oʊ/ or /oʊn/ instead of a reduced /tən/. (2) Mixing the initial /d/ with a lighter dental stop; keep a crisp alveolar /d/. (3) Treating the first vowel as short /æ/; instead use a longer /ɔː/ or /ɔ/ sound. Correct by elongating the first vowel to /ɔː/ and reducing the second syllable to /tən/, practice with minimal pairs: dal-ton vs dal-don.
In US, UK, and AU, the primary difference is vowel quality in the first syllable: /ɔː/ in all three, but American rhotics may influence a slightly more rounded or tense vowel. The second syllable often reduces to /tən/ in all, with slight schwa reduction in fast speech. The rhotic influence is more apparent in US speech due to /r/ coloring in surrounding syllables in connected speech, while UK/AU may retain a lighter vowel and less pronounced r-coloring when not word-final.
Dalton combines a stressed open-mid back vowel /ɔː/ with a reduced final syllable /tən/, which can be tricky if you habitually articulate the second syllable as a full vowel. The challenge is producing a crisp /d/ followed by an elongated /ɔː/ and then a short, reduced /ən/ without introducing a visible /n/ in the second syllable. Practice by isolating the first syllable 'dawl' and the second 'ton' and then blending them smoothly.
A distinctive feature is the quick, light reduction in the second syllable; many non-native speakers over-articulate /ən/ or insert extra vowels. The natural pattern is DAWL-tən, with a clear but concise second syllable that doesn’t carry a strong vowel. Focus on maintaining the strong initial /d/ and the long /ɔː/ in the first syllable while letting the second syllable release quickly into a muted /tən/.
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Dalton originates as an English surname derived from place-names in Britain, likely indicating an association with a family or person from a settlement named Dalton or a variant. The word ‘Dalton’ entered common usage as a toponymic surname in medieval England, reflecting geographic origin rather than vocation. The name gained broader recognition as a given name and as a surname associated with notable individuals, including chemist John Dalton (1766–1844), who popularized atomic theory in the modern era. The term in scientific contexts — notably the dalton (Da) as a unit of molecular transition or mass in some legacy usages — traces to this surname usage, carrying the eponymous attribution of precision and measurement. In contemporary usage, Dalton remains primarily a personal name, with occasional references to equipment, units, or brands bearing the surname, often preserving the two-syllable, stress-on-the-first-syllable pronunciation common to English name words. First known use as a proper noun dates back to medieval records, with adjectival or unitary associations solidifying in 18th-19th century scientific discourse through prominent figures bearing the name.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Dalton" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Dalton" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Dalton"
-ton sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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