2 syllables: Den, im. Stress on Den.
DEN-uhm
/ˈdɛnəm/
Denim is pronounced DEN-uhm (/ˈdɛnəm/). It has two syllables (Den-im), with the stress on "Den". Denim is a sturdy cotton fabric, typically blue, used especially for jeans. It originated as a durable workwear material and has evolved into a versatile fashion staple across casual and workwear contexts. The term also refers to garments made from this fabric, recognized for its diagonal weave and rugged texture.
nounDenim is a sturdy cotton fabric, typically blue, used especially for jeans. It originated as a durable workwear material and has evolved into a versatile fashion staple across casual and workwear contexts. The term also refers to garments made from this fabric, recognized for its diagonal weave and rugged texture.
How to Pronounce Denim
"She bought a pair of classic blue jeans made from denim."
"The boutique offered a denim jacket that pairs well with a white tee."
"He chose denim for its durability and timeless appeal."
Denim is pronounced as /ˈdɛnɪm/. The primary stress is on the first syllable: DEN-əm. The 'e' is short like in men, the 'i' sounds like a short i as in it, and the final 'm' is a clear nasal consonant. You can practice by isolating the first syllable with a short, clipped vowel, then smoothly transitioning to the final /m/. Listen for the two-syllable rhythm: DEN-ym (with a light, unstressed second syllable). Audioreference: you can compare with Cambridge/Forvo entries for /ˈdɛnɪm/.
Common mistakes include turning /ˈdɛnɪm/ into /ˈdiːnɪm/ (overlong first vowel), or turning the /n/ into a nasalized variant before /m/. Some speakers insert an extra vowel, saying /dɪˈnaɪm/ or pronounce the second syllable with a full schwa (/ˈdɛnɪm/ vs /ˈdɛnəˌm/). To correct, keep the first syllable short and clipped (like in ‘den’), then a quick, almost unvoiced transition to /m/. Practice with minimal pairs: DEN-im vs DIN-im, holding the /n/ and avoiding vowel drift.
In US/UK/AU, /ˈdɛnɪm/ is largely rhotic for US but denim’s vowel quality remains short /e/ as in 'bet'. UK and AU are similar in the coda /m/ and syllable count, but the longer 'short i' might sound slightly closer to /ɪ/ in some British variants. Non-rhotic tendencies can affect the following consonant strength; in practice, all three share the first syllable /ˈdɛn/ with a crisp /n/ before /ɪ/ and a pronounced final /m/. Listen to broadcast accents for subtle vowel shifts.
The challenge lies in achieving a crisp /ˈdɛn/ with a short, unstressed second syllable, while keeping the /n/ and /m/ as separate nasal consonants without linking. Some speakers inadvertently insert a vowel between /n/ and /m/, creating /ˈdɛnɪm/ or /ˈdɛnəˌm/. Also, the /e/ in /ˈdɛn/ should be a short, lax vowel rather than a long /iː/; misplacing tongue height can silver the vowel sound. Practice by isolating the two consonants and alternately gliding from /n/ to /m/ with minimal mouth movement.
A denim-specific phonetic nuance is the 'i' vowel in American speech often rated as near-close near-front /ɪ/ rather than a full /iː/ in some settings, but it never becomes /i/ as in 'machine.' The stress remains on the first syllable, and the /n/ is clearly articulated before the /ɪ/; some speakers reduce the /ɪ/ slightly depending on rate. For clarity, keep /ɛn/ sharp and ensure the transition to /m/ is unvoiced until the final nasal closure.
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Denim traces to the phrase ‘serge de Nîmes’ from the town of Nîmes, France, where the fabric was originally produced in the 17th century. The term serge de Nîmes, meaning serge from Nîmes, described a sturdy twill weave used in workwear. English-speaking merchants anglicized it to denim in the 18th century, with early denim fabrics used in ships’ sails and work garments before becoming associated with miners, factory workers, and later, jeans in the 19th century. The durable, diagonal twill weave (z-twill) gave denim its characteristic texture and strength, reinforcing its reputation for longevity. Over time, denim evolved from utilitarian fabric to a fashion staple globally, adopting washes, finishes, and innovations that expanded its color range and applications beyond workwear. The word’s journey reflects broader shifts in clothing culture—from practical gear to versatile, everyday style across genders and ages. First known uses appeared in English trade records in the 18th century, with popular usage rising alongside the invention of blue jeans in the late 19th century by Levi Strauss and Jacob Davis.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Denim" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Denim" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Denim"
-me) sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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