2 syllables: Em, blem. Stress on Em.
EM-bluhm
/ˈɛmbləm/
Emblem is pronounced EM-bluhm (/ˈɛmbləm/). It has two syllables (Em-blem), with the stress on "Em". Emblem is a symbol or object that represents a particular idea, organization, or quality. It is used to convey meaning beyond its literal form. As a term, it often appears in contexts of insignia, heraldry, or branding, functioning as a recognizable sign that stands for a larger concept.
nounEmblem is a symbol or object that represents a particular idea, organization, or quality. It is used to convey meaning beyond its literal form. As a term, it often appears in contexts of insignia, heraldry, or branding, functioning as a recognizable sign that stands for a larger concept.
"The charity’s emblem features a dove with an olive branch."
"She wore the school’s emblem on her blazer."
"The flag’s emblem was redesigned to reflect modern values."
Pronounce it EM-blem with two syllables. IPA US/UK/AU: /ˈɛm.bləm/. The primary stress is on the first syllable. The second syllable uses a reduced vowel, like a schwa or a weakened /ə/ in rapid speech. The final consonant is a soft 'm' with a bilabial closure. Tip: keep the tongue low in the first vowel and finish with a quick, relaxed /bləm/ cluster.
Common errors: 1) Pronouncing a full vowel in the second syllable (e.g., /ˈɛm.ˈɛbləm/). Correction: reduce the second syllable to /bləm/ with a relaxed, unstressed vowel. 2) Overemphasizing the /bl/ cluster or turning it into /blem/ or /blɛm/. Correction: keep /bl/ as a brief consonant blend, then a light /əm/. 3) Placing stress on the second syllable by saying /ˌɛmˈblɛm/. Correction: keep primary stress on the first syllable, not the second.
Across US/UK/AU, /ˈɛm.bləm/ is broadly similar. US and UK share the strong first-syllable /ˈɛm/ with a reduced second syllable /bləm/. The main difference lies in vocalic quality: US tends toward a tighter /ə/ in the second syllable, UK can show a slightly more centralized /ə/ or /ɐ/ depending on speaker, and AU can be even more clipped, with less diphthongal movement in the first vowel. The rhoticity affects only related words; emblem remains non-rhotic in some UK varieties when connected speech.
The challenge centers on the unstressed second syllable and the /bl/ cluster. The second syllable requires a reduced vowel, which many learners over-enunciate. Maintaining two- syllable balance quickly in fast speech is tough; you must keep the /b/ and /l/ linked smoothly into /bləm/. Also, vowel shortening and consonant blending demand careful articulation to avoid turning it into /ˈɛmˌblɛm/ or /ˈɛmblɛm/. Practice helps stabilize rhythm and reduces final lability.
Yes: the second syllable is weak and often realized as a near-schwa /lə/ or /ləm/ with a very quick, almost silent vowel. Pay attention to the mouth shape: start with a relaxed jaw for /ɛm/, then swiftly transition to the bilabial /bl/ with a short, soft /əm/ ending. Avoid landing on a crisp /ɛ/ in the second syllable; aim for a light, fleeting /əm/ that keeps the word flowing.
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Emblem comes from the Middle English embleme, which itself derives from Old French emblème, from Latin emblema, and ultimately from Greek emblēma 'a thing placed or shown in a public view, an inlaid piece', from exemplum 'example, pattern'. The term originally referred to a supposed top piece or inlaid mark used in art or jewelry. Over time, emblem broadened to denote any symbolic sign representing a quality, group, or idea rather than a literal depiction. The shift from material mark to symbolic representation reflects medieval and Renaissance practices where heraldic devices, church insignia, and royal seals carried emblematic meanings beyond their physical form. In modern English, emblem retains its semi-formal, symbolic connotation and is frequently used in academic, political, and branding contexts. First known uses appear in Latinized medieval texts and glossaries, with English attestations rising in the 14th–15th centuries as Latin-derived vocabulary entered English through scholarly and ecclesiastical channels. The word’s endurance is tied to its clear, compact sense of representation and signification within culture and institutions.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Emblem" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Emblem" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Emblem"
-hem sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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