3 syllables: de, vo, tees. Stress on vo.
div-OH-teez
/dɪˈvoʊtiːz/
devotees is pronounced div-OH-teez (/dɪˈvoʊtiːz/). It has three syllables (de-vo-tees), with the stress on "vo". Devotees are people who are deeply committed to a person, cause, or activity, often displaying fervent loyalty and regular participation. The term implies sustained enthusiasm and ritual or habitual engagement, beyond casual interest. It can refer to fans, followers, or adherents who show up consistently and advocate for the object of their devotion.
Devotees are people who are deeply committed to a person, cause, or activity, often displaying fervent loyalty and regular participation. The term implies sustained enthusiasm and ritual or habitual engagement, beyond casual interest. It can refer to fans, followers, or adherents who show up consistently and advocate for the object of their devotion.
"The temple attracts devotees from across the region who come for weekly services."
"Devotees gathered after the concert to thank the performers and share stories."
"The monastery's devotees maintain a strict routine of prayer and meditation."
Pronounce as dɪ-VOH-teez, with the primary stress on the second syllable: di-VO-tees. The first syllable uses a short i as in 'dip,' the second vowel is the long o from ‘go,’ and the final syllable ends with a voiced z sound. In US/UK, the r-colored or non-r-colored nature of the vowel doesn’t alter the core pattern, just the subtle vowel quality. Audio guidance: listen to native speakers on pronunciations platforms (YouGlish/Forvo) to hear natural linking.
Common errors include misplacing stress (saying de-VO-tees or dev-O-tees), mispronouncing the second syllable as a short vowel like 'dev-uh-tees,' and confusing the final -ees with an /iːz/ vs /iːz/ contrast. Correct by stressing the second syllable and elongating the long O: dɪˈvoʊtiːz. Ensure the final z is voiced, not an s. Practicing with minimal pairs helps lock the rhythm.
In US English, the second syllable has a clear long O: dɪˈvoʊtiːz. UK English uses a similar pattern but with slightly flatter vowels and non-rhoticity generally not affecting the word’s stress. Australian English tends to have a rounded, elongated /oʊ/ and a subtle rising intonation in some contexts; overall it remains dɪˈvoʊtiːz. Across all, stress stays on -vo-; vowel quality is the main variation.
The difficulty lies in the sequence d- followed by a stressed long vowel in the second syllable and a voiced final consonant. Many non-native speakers misplace pressure away from the second syllable or shorten the long /oʊ/ to a reduced vowel. Practice with slow phased repetition, focusing on the long O and the transition between syllables, then speed up while preserving the /ˈvoʊ/ nucleus.
A key feature is the /ˈvoʊ/ nucleus in the second syllable and the following /tiːz/ sequence. The /tiː/ is a light, clear vowel followed by a voiced /z/. In careful speech, you should avoid reducing /voʊ/ to /və/ and avoid an aspirated t that would alter the rhythm. Aim for a crisp diphthong onset and a clean voicing on the final consonant.
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Devotees comes from the noun devotee, which emerged in English in the early 17th century, borrowed from French devotee (Latin devoteus, from devovere ‘to devote’). The root is Latin dedicare ‘to devote, dedicate’ composed of de- (intensive) + votum ‘vow, pledge,’ and the verb form vot- stems from vot- ‘to vow.’ The sense broadened from a person who has vowed themselves to a deity or cause to a more general follower or adherent of any belief, practice, or movement. Over centuries, devotion implied not just belief but regular, often ritualized participation. First known uses in English reflect religious contexts (devotée in French texts; later ‘devotee’ in English religious literature), eventually expanding to secular followings (cult followings, fan bases) while retaining the core idea of committed, ongoing involvement.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "devotees" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "devotees"
-oys sounds
-ces sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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