4 syllables: dis, cri, mi, nate. Stress on cri.
dis-KRIM-uh-nayt
/dɪsˈkɹɪməˌneɪt/
discriminate is pronounced dis-KRIM-uh-nayt (/dɪsˈkɹɪməˌneɪt/). It has four syllables (dis-cri-mi-nate), with the stress on "cri". Discriminate means to recognize or perceive differences between things, or to treat people unfairly based on category such as race, gender, or age. In everyday use, it often refers to distinguishing among options or details; in social contexts, it can refer to biased treatment. The term carries both neutral perceptual meaning and a charged ethical connotation when describing unfair behavior.
Discriminate means to recognize or perceive differences between things, or to treat people unfairly based on category such as race, gender, or age. In everyday use, it often refers to distinguishing among options or details; in social contexts, it can refer to biased treatment. The term carries both neutral perceptual meaning and a charged ethical connotation when describing unfair behavior.
- You often misplace the stress, saying dis-CRIM-i-nate or discri-MIN-ate. Solution: mark syllables and touch-tap rhythm: di-SCRIM-i-nate; say each syllable clearly with the stress on SCRIM. - The 'scri' cluster can blend into a single sound; separate the cluster by timing: /s/ + /krɪm/ rather than /skrɪm/. Practice by isolating 'dis' and 'crim' before combining. - Ending /neɪt/ may shorten to /ne/ or /nit/. Ensure final gliding vowel /eɪ/ is pronounced and the 't' is crisp. - Finally, the full word can sound clipped in rapid speech. Slow down to execute articulation, then increment speed while preserving accuracy.
"The scientist could discriminate between the two chemical compounds by analyzing their spectra."
"Society should not discriminate on the basis of age or ethnicity."
"The sensor is able to discriminate signal from noise with high accuracy."
Pronounce as di-SCRIM-i-nate, with the primary stress on the second syllable: /dɪsˈkrɪmɪneɪt/. The 'dis' is unstressed, 'criminate' houses the main emphasis. The 'crim' portion sounds like ‘crim’ in crime, followed by a soft 'i' and final 'nate' sounding like ‘nayt.’ Mouth position: start with relaxed lips for 'd' and 'i', then tuck the tongue to produce the 'sr' cluster, and finish with a clear 'nate' ending. IPA: US /dɪsˈkrɪmɪneɪt/, UK /dɪsˈkrɪmɪneɪt/; same in AU. Audio resources: consult Pronounce or Forvo for native pronunciation variants.
Common errors: (1) Stress on the first syllable (DIscriminate) which reduces natural emphasis; (2) Slurring the 'scri-' part into a single syllable (diss-cri-minate); (3) Mispronouncing the 'ate' ending as a voiced /ɪt/ rather than /neɪt/. Correction: keep primary stress on -crim-; enunciate the 'crim' with a clear /krɪm/ and end with /neɪt/. Practice by isolating 'dis' (unstressed), 'crim' (stressed nucleus), then 'i-nate' (secondary end). Listening to native speakers will help; tap out the rhythm: di-SCRIM-i-nate.
In US, UK, and AU, the core stress remains on -crim-, but vowel quality in the /ɪ/ of the first syllable can shift slightly: US may have a slightly higher, tenser /ɪ/; UK tends to a purer /ɪ/ and crisper /ˈkrɪm/; AU follows similar to US but can have a flatter intonation. The final /eɪt/ tends to be a clear diphthong /eɪ/. All three are rhotic judges in US and AU; non-rhotic tendencies in some UK variants can affect surrounding vowels slightly but not the primary stress. IPA references: US /dɪsˈkrɪmɪneɪt/, UK /dɪsˈkrɪmɪneɪt/, AU /dɪsˈkrɪmɪneɪt/.
Three main challenges: (1) the consecutive consonant cluster 'scrim' (s + skr + ɪm) needs precise tongue positioning to avoid adding an extra syllable or slurring; (2) the unstressed 'dis-' can sedate vowel quality; (3) the ending 'nate' requires a clear glide into /eɪt/ without turning into /et/ or /ət/. Solution: practice the sequence dis-SCRIM-i-nate slowly, exaggerating the 'scr' blend, then normalize pace. Visualize the mouth forming /d/ + /ɪ/ + /s/ + /ˈkrɪ/ + /mɪ/ + /neɪt/; use IPA as you speak.
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US vs UK vs AU notes: In all, the stress pattern remains di-SCRIM-i-nate. US speakers may have a slightly flatter vowel in the first syllable and a more pronounced /neɪt/ at the end; UK speakers may retain crisper consonants and longer duration in the 'crim' syllable; AU tends to a slightly more vowel-tilted intonation but similar articulation. Ensure rhoticity in US and AU; UK is more non-rhotic, but /ɜː/ presence may influence surrounding vowels subtly. IPA references: US /dɪsˈkrɪmɪneɪt/, UK /dɪsˈkrɪmɪneɪt/, AU /dɪsˈkrɪmɪneɪt/.
Discriminate comes from the Latin discriminare, formed from dis- ‘apart, away’ + discriminare ‘to separate, distinguish, discern.’ The root discrimen ‘distinction, difference, dividing line’ traces to discrīmere ‘to separate, distinguish,’ from dis- ‘apart’ + cernere ‘to sift, perceive, decide.’ The word entered English via late Middle English with the sense of distinguishing between things; by the 17th century, it acquired a social/ethical dimension—often neutral as ‘to distinguish,’ but increasingly loaded as ‘unfair treatment’ based on prejudice. The modern usage balances two poles: perceptual discrimination (signal vs noise, color differentiation) and moral/legal discrimination (unfair bias). First known uses appear in 15th–16th century texts in Latin and Old French translations, with English records expanding as science and law emphasized distinctions among individuals and groups. Over time, the term broadened to include both cognitive discrimination and discriminatory practices, preserving its archetypal dualism of discernment and bias. In contemporary usage, the word often carries careful precision in technical contexts (perception, pattern recognition) and strong ethical implications in social justice discussions.
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Words that rhyme with "discriminate"
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