4 syllables: Del, phin, i, um. Stress on phin.
del-FIN-ee-uhm
/dɛlˈfɪniəm/
Delphinium is pronounced del-FIN-ee-uhm (/dɛlˈfɪniəm/). It has four syllables (Del-phin-i-um), with the stress on "phin". Delphinium is a tall, herbaceous flowering plant of the Ranunculaceae family, commonly grown for its spiked clusters of vivid blue to purple blossoms. It is prized in ornamental gardens and cut-flower arrangements. The term also names a genus of such plants, notable for their tall, vertical inflorescences and delicate, nectar-rich petals.
nounDelphinium is a tall, herbaceous flowering plant of the Ranunculaceae family, commonly grown for its spiked clusters of vivid blue to purple blossoms. It is prized in ornamental gardens and cut-flower arrangements. The term also names a genus of such plants, notable for their tall, vertical inflorescences and delicate, nectar-rich petals.
How to Pronounce Delphinium
"The gardener planted a row of Delphinium along the fence for height and color."
"Her cutting garden featured several Delphinium varieties, each producing long, graceful spires."
"Delphinium can be toxic if ingested, so keep it away from children and pets."
Delphinium is pronounced /dɛlˈfɪniəm/ (US/UK) with the main stress on the second syllable: del-FIN-i-um. Break it into four syllables: del- | -phi- | ni- | um, but the commonly heard form compresses to del-FIN-ee-əm. The first syllable is a clear 'del' as in delete; the 'ph' is an f sound; the 'in' is a short i; and the final 'um' is a light schwa. Listen for the subtle Y-like glide between /ɪ/ and /ə/ in rapid speech.”,
Common errors include stressing the wrong syllable (del-FIN-i-um vs. del-FI-ni-um), mispronouncing the 'ph' as /f/ or /v/ inconsistently, and truncating the final -um to a crisp 'um' or dropping the final syllable. Correct by emphasizing the /ˈfɪ/ portion and ending with a soft /əm/. Practice with a slow, four-beat count: del-FIN-i-um. Use minimal pairs like 'delphin' (not related) vs. 'Delphinium' to fix the rhythm.”,
In US and UK accents, the primary stress remains on the second syllable: /dɛlˈfɪniəm/ (US) and /dɛlˈfɪniəm/ (UK). Australian tends to preserve the same rhythm but may have a slightly broader /ɪ/ to /iː/ vowel in some speakers, yielding /dɛlˈfɪniəm/ with a flatter intonation. The 'ph' consistently yields an /f/ sound; the final -um often reduces to a schwa + m. Overall, rhoticity is similar; the main difference is vowel quality and tempo.”,
The difficulty comes from the four-syllable structure with a tricky /ˈfɪn/ sequence and the final -ium, which many speakers shorten irregularly. The 'ph' must be /f/, and the 'ni' should be a short /nɪ/ before the unstressed /ə/; misplacing stress or flattening the middle vowel can create a soggy rhythm. Practice with slow pacing, exaggerating the second syllable, and then ease into natural speed while keeping the /ɪ/ clearly heard.”,
Yes: the cluster -phin- involves a bilabial-free /f/ followed by a short /ɪ/ before an unstressed /ə/; many learners run the /ɪ/ together with the /f/ or drop the /ɪ/ entirely. Keeping a crisp /ˈfɪn/ sound and clearly articulating the unstressed -i- and -um helps. Also, ensure the 'l' in the first syllable is lightly pronounced to maintain the del- syllable’s lisp-like onset.”,
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Delphinium comes from the Latin delphinium, from delphinus meaning dolphin, based on the shape of the flower spur resembling a dolphin and the water-loving habitat of some species. The genus Delphinium was established by Carl Linnaeus in the 18th century as part of his binomial nomenclature system. The name’s early use in botanical texts reflects the fascination with plant morphology and form, especially the tall, spiked inflorescences that inspired the common name larkspur in various regions. Over time, Delphinium entered horticultural usage to describe both the wild alpine species and the cultivated garden varieties. The term has remained stable in taxonomy, while popular culture often uses Delphinium to evoke height, verticality, and vibrant color in garden design.
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Words that rhyme with "Delphinium"
-ium sounds
-rum sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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