2 syllables: dis, card. Stress on card.
dis-KAHRD
/dɪˈskɑɹd/
discard is pronounced dis-KAHRD (/dɪˈskɑɹd/). It has two syllables (dis-card), with the stress on "card". Discard is a verb meaning to throw away or reject something no longer useful or desirable. It can also refer to removing items from a set or list. The term implies deliberate cessation of use and the physical act of disposal, often within the context of cleaning, organizing, or discarding unwanted options.
Discard is a verb meaning to throw away or reject something no longer useful or desirable. It can also refer to removing items from a set or list. The term implies deliberate cessation of use and the physical act of disposal, often within the context of cleaning, organizing, or discarding unwanted options.
"- She decided to discard the old papers cluttering her desk."
"- The company chose to discard outdated inventory."
"- After the review, they discarded several proposals."
Pronounce as dɪsˈkɔrd (US) or dɪˈskɔːd (UK/AU). The primary stress falls on the second syllable. Start with a short, unstressed 'di' followed by a strong 'sc' cluster and a rounded 'ɔː' or 'ɑː' vowel in the second syllable. Ensure the final 'rd' has a clear, lightly pronounced 'r' before the 'd'. Audio references: YouGlish and Cambridge Online Dictionary provide native pronunciations to hear the exact vowel length and rhotic timing.
Common errors: (1) De-emphasizing the second syllable and saying /dɪsˈkɔrd/ with weak stress; ensure loud, clear second-syllable stress. (2) Merging 'sc' into 's' or 'sk' blends, leading to /dɪˈskɔːd/ or /ˈdɪskɔɹd/; keep a distinct 's' then 'k' onset. (3) Final 'rd' without a strong 'd' release; practice a crisp alveolar stop with postvocalic r before the d. Correction tips: bite-size practice with minimal pairs and a stress map, exaggerate the second syllable in drills, and use a mirror to confirm tongue height and lip rounding.
In US English, the pronunciation is dɪsˈkɔrd with rhotic r; the second syllable is stressed and the r is pronounced before the final d. In UK and many AU varieties, you’ll hear dɪˈskɔːd with a longer, rounded ɔː and a non-rhotic r in many speakers when followed by a consonant; however, when ending a word, some speakers articulate a light r. Differences mainly involve rhoticity and vowel length: US keeps a rhotic r and a shorter vowel; UK/AU may lengthen the vowel and de-rhoticize before a consonant.
The challenge lies in the consonant cluster /sk/ after a short vowel and the second-syllable stress, which requires precise timing to avoid blending into an /ɪs/ or /dɪs/; also, the final /rd/ cluster demands a clear alveolar stop immediately after a rounded vowel, which can cause a subtle vowel shortening if rushed. Mastery requires coordinating tensing of the tongue for /s/ + /k/, proper back-mid vowel quality in /ɔ/ or /ɔː/, and a crisp /d/ release. Practice with slow timing, then speed up.
A unique angle is the interaction of the /sk/ cluster following a short 'i' vowel and the heavy second-syllable stress, which can lead learners to place emphasis on the wrong syllable or misproduce the vowel length. Additionally, listeners notice the alveolar 'd' release after a rounded vowel. Paying attention to the sequence -/dɪs/ vs -/dɪsˈkɔrd- helps solidify correct rhythm and prevents misplacing the stress or misarticulating the 'sc' blend.
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US: rhotic r; ensure the r is fully pronounced before the final d in this word, with a sharper /ɔr/ transition. UK: often non-rhotic before a consonant; the vowel in the second syllable tends to be longer (ɔː) with a lighter /r/ influence; AU: varies, but often similar to UK with clear, broad vowels and slightly less pronounced r. Always compare with IPA: US dɪsˈkɔrd; UK dɪˈskɔːd; AU dɪˈskɔːd. Use minimal pairs to feel the vowel length difference, and practice the r-controlled vowel effect if you have rhotic accents in US.
Discard traces its roots to the early modern English phrase to discarden, which meant to deprive of a shield or protection, later evolving to mean to cast aside or reject. The word likely fused the prefix dis- (removal, separation) with guard, reflecting an original sense of stripping away protection or ornament. In legal and military contexts, discard evolved to imply relinquishing something from a set or rank. The first known use in a form close to discard appeared in the 14th- to 15th-century texts, where it described the act of removing or abandoning objects, not just ideas. Over time, discard broadened into general disposal and rejection, becoming common in domestic, logistical, and game contexts. The modern sense of discarding burnishes the idea of intentional, final removal, often associated with sorting, cleaning, or strategic pruning. The word maintained its core sense of separation and withdrawal, but gained broader applicability across everyday tasks and formal operations, including data management and card games, where “discard pile” is a standard term.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "discard" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "discard" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "discard"
-ard sounds
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