2 syllables: Ef, faced. Stress on faced.
if-AYST
/ɪˈfeɪst/
Effaced is pronounced if-AYST (/ɪˈfeɪst/). It has two syllables (Ef-faced), with the stress on "faced". Effaced is a verb meaning to erase or obliterate something, making it disappear or less noticeable. It often refers to removing marks, memory, or distinctions, either literally (as in erasing writing) or figuratively (as in making a presence or difference fade). The action is deliberate and resulting in diminished visibility or prominence.
verbEffaced is a verb meaning to erase or obliterate something, making it disappear or less noticeable. It often refers to removing marks, memory, or distinctions, either literally (as in erasing writing) or figuratively (as in making a presence or difference fade). The action is deliberate and resulting in diminished visibility or prominence.
- You might default to saying /ˈiːfæst/ or /ɪˈfæst/ instead of the correct /ɪˈfeɪst/. The diphthong /eɪ/ in the second syllable is essential; flattening it into /e/ or /æ/ weakens the meaning and sound. - The final /st/ cluster should be crisp and not whispered. Don’t insert an extra vowel or stop before /st/. - Don’t over-pronounce the first syllable; keep it brief and light so the second syllable carries the main energy. - In connected speech, avoid reducing the second syllable too much in rapid speech; keep the /eɪ/ audible to preserve precision.
"The graffiti was effaced from the wall after a swift cleaning."
"Over the years, the old borders were effaced, leaving no trace of the original map."
"Her memories of the accident were almost effaced by time and distance."
Effaced is pronounced with two syllables: i-FAYST. The primary stress falls on the second syllable. The vowel in the second syllable is the diphthong /eɪ/ as in 'face', followed by the final /st/ cluster. In IPA: US /ɪˈfeɪst/, UK /ɪˈfeɪst/, AU /ɪˈfeɪst/. For a quick tip, keep the first syllable reduced to a quick /ɪ/ and push the /eɪ/ vowel into the stressed second syllable before the /st/.
Common mistakes include pronounced as /ˈiːfæst/ (stress on first syllable and a longer /iː/ vowel) or saying /ɪˈfæs/ with a short /æ/ before the /st/. The correct diphthong in the second syllable is /eɪ/ as in ‘face,’ and the final /st/ should be crisp, not a tacked-on /t/ or /s/. To correct, ensure the second syllable carries the emphasis and the /eɪ/ is a clear, gliding vowel, ending with /st/ in one smooth release.
In US/UK/AU, the main vowel sound remains the same /ɪˈfeɪst/, with rhoticity not affecting the word since there is no /r/ after the vowel. The rhotic US might slightly modify the /ɪ/ to a lax /ɪ/ while keeping /eɪ/ intact; UK English tends to be non-rhotic but this word doesn’t end with a post-vocalic /r/ so the difference is subtle. Australian English follows a similar pattern to UK, with a crisp /eɪ/ and clear /st/ ending. The critical element is the second-syllable /eɪ/ and the final /st/ in all three accents.
The difficulty lies in the blend of the voiceless fricative /f/ followed by a strong /eɪ/ diphthong and the abrupt /st/ cluster. The sequence i- + f + ayd require precise timing to avoid an extra vowel or slipping into /ɪfæst/ or /ɪfɪst/. Practicing the transition from the /f/ into the /eɪ/ diphthong and then crisp /st/ helps maintain the two-syllable rhythm without misplacing stress.
A unique feature is the non-emphatic onset of the first syllable with a short /ɪ/ sound, contrasting with the charged diphthong in the second syllable. This creates a neat i-FAYST pattern where the lexical focus lands on the second syllable, helping you convey the meaning of deliberate removal with clear enunciation of the final /st/.
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- US: Keep the /ɪ/ in the first syllable light, the /eɪ/ in the second clear and taught, with a slightly tensed jaw to accommodate the diphthong. - UK: Non-rhotic tendency doesn’t apply here, but maintain similar diphthong quality; aim for a slightly more clipped delivery with crisp /st/. - AU: Similar to UK, but you may hear a slightly broader vowel in /eɪ/ and a softer /st/ at the end; keep it clean and confident. IPA references: US /ɪˈfeɪst/, UK /ɪˈfeɪst/, AU /ɪˈfeɪst/.
Effaced originates from the French effacer (to erase, erase) from Old French esfacer, and ultimately from Latin excāscere (to rub out, efface) formed with ex- (out) + farcere (to stuff, cram), by extension meaning to rub out or wipe away. The English adoption began in the 16th century, aligning with the sense of erasing marks or distinctions. Initially, the term carried more of a physical sense of rubbing away inscriptions, but over time it broadened to include abstract erasures, such as memories, rights, or differences. The form efface is the base, with -ed marking past participle/preterite usage; effaced is the simple past and past participle. The word mirrors a recurring theme in English where Latin-based roots enter through French, then settle into common legal, historical, and literary contexts, emphasizing removal, suppression, or obliteration of visual or symbolic presence.
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Words that rhyme with "Effaced"
-ced sounds
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