4 syllables: dis, sim, i, lar. Stress on sim.
dis-IM-uh-lur
/dɪˈsɪməlɚ/
dissimilar is pronounced dis-IM-uh-lur (/dɪˈsɪməlɚ/). It has four syllables (dis-sim-i-lar), with the stress on "sim". Dissimilar is an adjective meaning not alike or different in character, form, or quality. It describes contrast or lack of similarity between two or more things. In usage, it often introduces distinctions, comparisons, or contrasts within a discussion or analysis.
Dissimilar is an adjective meaning not alike or different in character, form, or quality. It describes contrast or lack of similarity between two or more things. In usage, it often introduces distinctions, comparisons, or contrasts within a discussion or analysis.
- You: focus on di-SIM-i-lar; don’t misplace stress on the first syllable. Build a stable jaw and tongue position so the second syllable carries the energy. - You: avoid merging /m/ and /l/ into a single phoneme; separate with a quick, clean boundary. Practice by saying di-SIM-uh-lar slowly, then quickly, ensuring each phoneme is distinct. - You: don’t flatten the final -lar into /lɑr/ or /lə/ consistently; in US, keep a light post-vocalic /ɹ/ or a reduced vowel before it; UK/AU may reduce more strongly; listen to native examples to calibrate.
"The two species are dissimilar in coloration and habitat."
"Her experiences are dissimilar from his, which led to different perspectives."
"The cultures show dissimilar approaches to social norms."
Phonetic: /dɪˈsɪmələr/ in US/UK English with primary stress on the second syllable. Break it as di-SIM-uh-lar. Start with /d/ then a short /ɪ/, stress the /ˈsɪ/ portion, follow with /məl/ where the /ə/ is a neutral schwa before /r/ in rhotic environments. Mouth: lips relaxed, tip of tongue just behind bottom teeth for /d/, front of tongue high for /ɪ/ in SIM, quick /m/ with closed lips, neutral /ə/ before /l/ and a final light /r/ in rhotics. Listen to native pronunciations to calibrate the subtle reduction in the final syllable.
Common errors: (1) Misplacing primary stress to the first syllable (di-SIM-uh-lar). Correction: ensure the acoustic peak on the second syllable: /ˈsɪ/ is the focus. (2) Slurring the middle /m/ into the /l/ to create /dɪˈsɪmˌlar/; practice isolating /m/ and /l/ with a clean boundary: /m/ then /ə/ then /l/. (3) Pronouncing the final -ar as /ɑr/ or over-articulating /r/ in non-rhotic accents; in rhotic accents, permit a reduced /ə/ before a soft /r/; avoid a heavy /r/ when not matching syllable rhythm if your accent is non-rhotic.
In US English, /dɪˈsɪmələr/ with rhotic /r/ at the end and a clear schwa in the final syllable. UK English tends toward non-rhoticity in many dialects, giving a weaker or silent post-vocalic /r/ and a more central vowel in the final syllable; still the primary stress sits on the second syllable. Australian English is rhotic to an extent but features a more centralized /ɪ/ and a shorter, brighter final syllable with subtle /ə/ quality. Overall, primary stress remains on the second syllable; vowel quality and rhoticity vary subtly.
The challenge lies in the sequence di-SIM-i-lar, with a stressed mid-vowel /ɪ/ in the second syllable and a light, reduced final syllable that can blend with /l/ and /r/ depending on accent. The /ɪ/ in SIM can be confused with /iː/ in some fast speech, and the /m/ followed quickly by /ə/ requires precise timing to avoid a muddy transition. Finally, the final /lər/ (US) or /lə/ (UK/AU) involves subtle rhotic or non-rhotic articulation and vowel reduction that many learners flatten.
A unique angle is the contrast between stressed /ˈsɪ/ and the reduced, almost schwa-like /ə/ in the final syllable, which trips up learners who expect a clearer ending. The distinction between /sɪ/ and /sə/ in the middle consonant cluster and the need to maintain a crisp /l/ before the final /ar/ can be a subtle but pivotal cue. This nuance makes it valuable to compare to words like 'similar' to hear how the prefix dis- shifts the stress and rhythm.
🗣️ Voice search tip: These questions are optimized for voice search. Try asking your voice assistant any of these questions about "dissimilar"!
- US: pronounce /dɪˈsɪmələr/ with a clear /ɹ/ in the final syllable; the final /ər/ typically rhotics; the middle /ɪ/ is a short, lax vowel. - UK: non-rhotic tendencies; final syllable may be /lə/ or /lə/ with weaker /r/; the second syllable has a clear /ɪ/. - AU: usually rhotic with slight vowel raising in the middle; keep /ɪ/ not too lax, and the final /ə/ is subdued. Reference IPA as given above; maintain a crisp /s/ and /m/ cluster.
Dissimilar comes from the prefix dis- (a Latin origin meaning apart, away, not) combined with the Latin adjective similis, meaning similar or like. The form dis- plus similis yields dissimilis, evolving into early English dissimilare, then dissimilar in later Middle English/early Modern English. The word carried the sense of “not similar” from its first documented uses, aligning with a broader family of negated adjectives formed with dis- and -ar/-are endings. Over time, the spelling and pronunciation consolidated into modern dissimilar, with stress pattern typically di-SIM-i-lar in US and UK usage. The term entered scholarly and formal writing when distinguishing attributes, features, or categories in comparative analysis, and remains common in academic, scientific, and critical discourse to emphasize distinctions rather than general sameness.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "dissimilar" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "dissimilar" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "dissimilar" and show contrast in usage.
📚 Vocabulary tip: Learning synonyms and antonyms helps you understand nuanced differences in meaning and improves your word choice in speaking and writing.
Words that rhyme with "dissimilar"
-lar sounds
-mer sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
🎵 Rhyme tip: Practicing with rhyming words helps you master similar sound patterns and improves your overall pronunciation accuracy.
