2 syllables: De, but. Stress on but.
day-BYOO
/deɪˈbju/
Debut is pronounced day-BYOO (/deɪˈbju/). It has two syllables (De-but), with the stress on "but". A debut is the first public appearance or performance of someone, typically in a professional, artistic, or notable context. It marks the initial, formal introduction to a wider audience and often sets the tone for subsequent work or appearances. The term can refer to both a person’s first public act and, in some contexts, a first public release (such as a debut album or debut novel).
nounA debut is the first public appearance or performance of someone, typically in a professional, artistic, or notable context. It marks the initial, formal introduction to a wider audience and often sets the tone for subsequent work or appearances. The term can refer to both a person’s first public act and, in some contexts, a first public release (such as a debut album or debut novel).
"Her debut as a pianist earned her a standing ovation."
"The actor made his debut on the big screen in a critically acclaimed film."
"The singer’s debut album topped charts worldwide."
Pronounce as de-BYOO, with primary stress on the second syllable: /ˈdɛbjuː/ in US/UK spelling. The first syllable contains a short, clear /d/ and /ɛ/ vowel, while the second syllable centers on a long /juː/ creating the BYOO sound. In careful speech you’ll clearly articulate /d/ + /ɛ/ + /b/ + /j/ + /uː/. Audio reference: you can listen to native speakers saying EBUT in pronunciation resources and mimic the flow.
Two common errors: (1) pronouncing it as de-BOOT or de-BOOT with a long O in the second syllable; (2) reducing /juː/ to /uː/ or /ju/ without the glide. Correct it by maintaining the /j/ as a consonant in the second syllable after /b/, producing /ˈdɛb.juː/ and ensuring a light, crisp /d/ + /ɛ/ before the /bj/. Practicing slow trials in isolation helps cement the BYOO sequence.
In US/UK, stress remains on the first syllable: /ˈdɛbjuː/ or /ˈdeɪbjuː/ depending on speaker. Rhotic influence is minimal here, and the /juː/ often remains a clear glide. Australian speakers typically retain /ˈdɛbjuː/ as well, with a slightly closer /uː/ and a more centralized /ɪ/ that can affect vowel quality. None of the dialects typically stress the second syllable; main variation is vowel coloration and timing of the glide.
The difficulty lies in blending the consonant cluster at the word boundary and preserving the /juː/ glide after /b/. The transition from /b/ to /j/ demands a light touch to avoid a lumped /bj/ or misarticulating as /buː/. Additionally, the /ɛ/ vowel in the stressed syllable can be shortened in rapid speech, making the first syllable sound rushed. Focus on a clean /d/ + /ɛ/ + /bj/ + /uː/ sequence with controlled timing.
There are no silent letters in debut; stress is consistently on the first syllable in most dialects. The word is pronounced with a clear two-syllable pattern, stressed first: /ˈdɛb.juː/. The challenge is maintaining the light /j/ sound between /b/ and /juː/ and not misplacing the stress or elongating the second syllable. The mouth posture remains fairly steady across standard varieties.
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- US: pronounce as /ˈdɛb.juː/ with a clear /d/ and /ɛ/; keep the /j/ as a smooth glide, not a consonant blend. - UK: similar pattern, but you may hear a slightly more open /æ/ in some regions, and the /juː/ glide can be less prominent in fast speech. - AU: maintain /ˈdɛb.juː/ with subtle vowel quality shifts; rhoticity is not a major factor here. Refer to IPA /ˈdɛb.juː/ and tune mouth positions to match regional vowel color.
Debut derives from the French word debut, from Old French debuter, meaning to begin or to make public entry. The path traces to Late Latin debūtāre, meaning to owe or to advance, from debūtus, owed or due. In English, debut entered via French in the 19th century, retaining the sense of a first public appearance or entrance. Initially used in theater and performance circles, the term gradually broadened to cover any first public introduction, including publications, art, and public roles. Over time, debut has remained tightly linked to the notion of origin, ascent, and first impression, contrasting with follow-up works or subsequent performances. First known uses appear in 19th-century theater writings, where actors’ initial appearances were explicitly labeled as debuts, signaling both opportunity and scrutiny. The word’s usage has since permeated music, film, literature, and public life, consistently signaling a formal, often celebrated, beginning rather than a casual offering. Its semantic core emphasizes novelty, anticipation, and a marked transition from obscurity to public presence.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Debut" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Debut" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Debut"
-oot sounds
-put sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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