3 syllables: Ef, fi, gy. Stress on Ef.
EF-ij-ee
/ˈɛfɪdʒi/
Effigy is pronounced EF-ij-ee (/ˈɛfɪdʒi/). It has three syllables (Ef-fi-gy), with the stress on "Ef". Effigy is a noun referring to a representation or image of a person, typically made to be destroyed or criticized. It often denotes a sculpted likeness or symbolic likeness used in protest or ritual, and can also describe a crude or symbolic imitation in broader contexts. The term emphasizes representation rather than the real person, and is commonly used in historical, political, and cultural discussions.
nounEffigy is a noun referring to a representation or image of a person, typically made to be destroyed or criticized. It often denotes a sculpted likeness or symbolic likeness used in protest or ritual, and can also describe a crude or symbolic imitation in broader contexts. The term emphasizes representation rather than the real person, and is commonly used in historical, political, and cultural discussions.
"The protesters burned an effigy of the dictator as a dramatic political statement."
"Museum displays include an effigy of a king to illustrate historical attire and likeness."
"They created an effigy from straw and cloth for the festival ritual."
Effigy is pronounced /ˈɛf.ɪ.dʒi/ in US and UK English. The primary stress is on the first syllable: EF-ih-jee. The middle vowel is short, like in 'pet,' and the final 'gy' yields the /dʒ/ sound as in 'judge'. For a quick reference, think: EF-ih-JEE. Listen examples on Pronounce or YouGlish to hear natural variation.
Common mistakes include misplacing stress (say you-**EF**-i-jee) and treating the final 'gy' as a hard 'g' or 'gee' separately, producing EF-id-gee or EF-ih-jay. Another error is a weak middle vowel, like /ɛ/ becoming /eɪ/ or /ɪi/. Focus on maintaining the short /ɛ/ in the first syllable, a crisp /dʒ/ for the 'g' sound, and a final /i/ that isn’t drawn out. Record yourself and compare to native samples.
In US/UK, the word remains /ˈɛf.ɪ.dʒi/ with primary stress on the first syllable and a clear /dʒ/ sound before the final /i/. Australian English also uses /ˈɛf.ɪ.dʒi/ but may have slightly more centralized vowel qualities in the mid vowels and a softer final /i/. Rhoticity does not alter the core syllable, but non-native ears may notice subtle vowel height differences and length due to prosodic patterns in each variety.
The difficulty comes from the combination of a stressed first syllable and the /dʒ/ consonant cluster in the second/third portion, plus a short, lax middle vowel that can drift toward /ɪ/ or /i/. Learners often misplace the /dʒ/ as /j/ or /ʒ/, or elongate the final vowel. Practice with minimal pairs like 'defy' vs 'effigy' and focus on keeping the /ɛ/ distinct, the /dʒ/ crisp, and the final /i/ clean and not reduced.
A key feature is the onset cluster /ˈɛf/. The first syllable ends with a soft 'f' followed by an 'i' leading into /dʒi/. Ensure the /f/ remains voiceless and the /i/ in the final syllable is not overtly elongated. The transfer from /ɪ/ to /ɪ/ in the second syllable should stay short, avoiding a diphthong drift. It’s also useful to monitor the transition from the vowel in /ɛ/ to the /ɪ/ in the second syllable for clarity.
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Effigy derives from Middle English effigi, from Old French effigie, from Late Latin effigia, Latinized form of Greek efigía meaning ‘image’ or ‘likeness’, from ephipsis ‘presentation, imitating’ (from ephienai ‘to image, to set forth’). The root idea centers on a outward representation rather than the person themselves. The term appears in English texts in the medieval period evolving from liturgical and heraldic contexts to describe figurative images used in political or ritual demonstrations. By the 16th century, effigy entered broader scholarly and cultural discourse, distinguishing a visual replica used to symbolize a person who is absent or targeted by critique. In modern usage, effigy most often appears in political protest, art history, and cultural studies, maintaining its core sense of a constructed likeness rather than a living individual.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Effigy" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Effigy" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Effigy"
-ffy sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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