3 syllables: E, bo, ny. Stress on E.
EB-uh-nee
/ˈɛbəni/
Ebony is pronounced EB-uh-nee (/ˈɛbəni/). It has three syllables (E-bo-ny), with the stress on "E". Ebony is a dense, dark-black wood derived from certain species of the Diospyros tree, traditionally valued for its smooth texture and deep color. In figurative use it can describe anything jet-black or very dark in tone. The term also appears in poetry and design to evoke richness, luxury, and classic elegance.
nounEbony is a dense, dark-black wood derived from certain species of the Diospyros tree, traditionally valued for its smooth texture and deep color. In figurative use it can describe anything jet-black or very dark in tone. The term also appears in poetry and design to evoke richness, luxury, and classic elegance.
- You tend to flatten the first vowel to a long /eɪ/ or a neutral /ə/; instead use /ˈɛ/ as in 'pet' for the first syllable. - The second syllable often gets overemphasized, so you sound like /ˈɛbəniː/; keep it light and quick with /ə/ before /ni/. - Some speakers append extra length to the final /i/, turning it into /iː/; aim for a short, crisp /i/ with fast tempo. - In connected speech, linking can blur the boundary between syllables; practice isolated, then chained: /ˈɛ/ + /bə/ + /ni/ to maintain distinct syllables and rhythm.
"The mahogany cabinet was accented with panels of glossy ebony."
"Her piano has an ebony keyboard, contrasting with the ivory keys."
"They chose ebony furniture for a sophisticated, timeless look."
Ebony is pronounced EH-boh-nee, with primary stress on the first syllable. IPA: US/UK/AU /ˈɛbəni/. Begin with the open-mid front vowel /ɛ/, then a schwa-ish /ə/ in the second syllable, and end with /ni/. Ensure the second syllable is light and not strongly stressed; the final /i/ should be a clean, brief vowel. You can listen to native pronunciations on Pronounce or Forvo to calibrate the /ˈɛ/ to /ə/ reduction.
Two common errors are misplacing stress (stressing the second syllable) and pronouncing the first vowel as a pure /e/ as in ‘bait’ or an overly lax /ɪ/. Correction: keep primary stress on the first syllable /ˈɛ/ and use a short, relaxed /ə/ for the second syllable. Finish with a clear /ni/ rather than a clipped /n/ or blended with the wall; aim for /ˈɛbəni/. Practicing the sequence with minimal pairs like ‘ebony’ vs ‘eveny’ can help fix the vowel quality.
In US and UK, the first syllable is /ˈɛ/ with a clear short open vowel; US tends to a slightly tighter /ɪ/ in the second syllable compared to some UK speakers who may use a fuller /ə/ or even /ɐ/ in non-rhotic contexts. Australian speakers often reduce the second syllable further, producing a softer /əni/ or /ən-i/ with a more centralized /ə/. Overall, rhoticity affects the r-colored vowel only in connected speech; the core is /ˈɛbəni/.
The difficulty lies in the short, unstressed second syllable and the transition from /ə/ to /ni/. non-native speakers may tense the jaw or over-articulate the /ɪ/ in the final consonant cluster. Focus on a relaxed second syllable with a quick, light /ə/ leading into /ni/. Practicing with a slow tempo, then accelerating, helps stabilize the timing and prevents truncating the ending.
Ebony ends with a voiced alveolar nasal /n/ plus a high-front vowel /i/. Some learners wonder if it should be pronounced as /ˈiːbəni/ or /ˈɛbəni/. The correct form has a short /i/ at the end; keep it light and avoid elongating the final vowel. Visualize the mouth closing gently after the /n/ to avoid a trailing, exaggerated /i/.
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- US: rhotic accent generally keeps /ɹ/ neutral; still, the vowel /ˈɛ/ remains short; ensure the second syllable uses a reduced /ə/. - UK: may have a slightly more centralized or rounded /ə/; keep it neutral and unstressed. - AU: vowel quality in /ə/ is often centralized; maintain a crisp /ə/ and a short final /i/. IPA references: US /ˈɛbəni/, UK /ˈɛbəni/, AU /ˈɛbəni/; rhoticity does not alter the /ˈɛ/ but may alter the linking in rapid speech.
Ebony originates from the Latin electricus? (note: ignore). Actually, the word comes from the Greek aibōn? Historically, the English term ebony derives from Middle English ebonye, borrowed from Old French ebouni or ebone, ultimately from the Latin ? (ebonium) which traced to the Greek abiōn. The Greek form aibōn referred to the ebony wood from tropical Africa and South Asia. The root migration reflects trade routes of the Mediterranean and the Indian Ocean, where dark, dense woods were highly prized. In English by the 14th century, ebony signified the wood itself and later, by extension, substances of a very dark color. Over time, the meaning broadened in decorative and metaphorical senses, maintaining the core association with depth, luxury, and durability. The term also appears in literature and music as a color descriptor and material exemplar, reinforcing cultural associations with elegance and formality. First known use in English dates to the late medieval period, with earliest printed attestations in glossaries and travelogues describing exotic woods and furniture.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Ebony" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Ebony" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Ebony"
-ony sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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