3 syllables: En, nea, gram. Stress on nea.
en-EE-uh-gram
/ɛnˈiəɡɹæm/
Enneagram is pronounced en-EE-uh-gram (/ɛnˈiəɡɹæm/). It has three syllables (En-nea-gram), with the stress on "nea". Enneagram is a nine-pointed symbolic system used for personality typing, often in psychology and spirituality. It refers to a model of nine interconnected types, each with distinct motivations, fears, and patterns. The term is linguisticly derived from Greek roots and is commonly encountered in academic, coaching, and self-improvement contexts.
nounEnneagram is a nine-pointed symbolic system used for personality typing, often in psychology and spirituality. It refers to a model of nine interconnected types, each with distinct motivations, fears, and patterns. The term is linguisticly derived from Greek roots and is commonly encountered in academic, coaching, and self-improvement contexts.
How to Pronounce Enneagram
"I’m studying the Enneagram to better understand personality dynamics."
"The workshop included a deep dive into each Enneagram type."
"She lectured on how the Enneagram informs leadership development."
You say en-NEE-a-gram with primary stress on the second syllable: [ˌɛn.iˈæɡræm] in US and UK variants, with slight vowel quality differences. Start with /ˈɛn/ (like 'end'), then a reduced /ɪ/ or short /i/ before /æ/ in the third syllable, and finish with /ɡræm/. In careful speech, the sequence is en-NEH-a-gram, but faster speech often flattens to en-NEE-uh-gram. An audible emphasis lands on the middle syllable, guiding listeners to the nine-type concept.
Common errors include misplacing stress on the first or last syllable (saying EN-ne-a-gram or en-ne-é-gram), and blending the middle vowel too much (as /eɪ/ or /iː/). Another frequent mistake is pronouncing it like 'anagram' or 'enneagram' with a silent middle segment. Correct by aiming for three distinct syllables with clear /ɛn/ /i/ (or /ɪ/) and a crisp /ɡræm/. Practice with minimal pairs and record yourself to ensure the middle stress lands on the /æ/ syllable.
In US English, you’ll hear /ˌɛn.iˈæɡræm/ with rhotic /r/ and a clear /æ/ in the third syllable. UK speakers may show a slightly tighter vowel in /ɪ/ or /eɪ/ in the second syllable and a less pronounced rhotic, with /ˈɛn.i.ə.ɡræm/ in some regional variants. Australian pronunciations tend toward a slightly flatter diphthong in the second syllable and a softer /r/ by default, but often still maintain the /æ/ in the third syllable. Overall, the rhythm remains three syllables with predominant stress on the second or third, depending on speaker and tempo.
Its difficulty comes from three features: a closed front vowel chain in the second syllable, a three-syllable word with non-intuitive stress placement for many speakers, and the similarity in sound to common words like 'anagram' or 'diagram' that can cause blending. The middle syllable often contains a reduced vowel in quick speech, which can obscure the intended /i/ vs /æ/ distinction. Focusing on a crisp /ɛn/-/i/-/æ//-ɡram and practicing slow, deliberate enunciation helps overcome these challenges.
Yes: the middle syllable typically bears strong perceptual weight, guiding listeners to expect a three-syllable structure with a clear onset to /ɡram/. Some speakers insert a light schwa or a near-syllabic vowel in the second syllable, which can blur the middle syllable’s prominence. Paying attention to the transition between /i/ or /ɪ/ and /æ/—and ensuring the third syllable starts with a crisp /ɡ/—will help you articulate a precise, recognizable form.
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Enneagram comes from the Greek words ennea (nine) and grāma (something written or drawn, from grāma, a line or figure). The term dates to late medieval and early modern religious and philosophical discourses that explored ninefold cosmic structures, but the modern psychological usage crystallized in the 20th century with George G. I. (C. G. Jung-influenced) and others who popularized typology frameworks. The form enneagram was adopted into English via Latinized transliterations in esoteric and psychological texts, where ennea- signals the numeral nine and -gram indicates a diagram or model. First known uses appear in 1920s-1930s esoteric writings and later in mid-century psychological literature; the contemporary, widely-used usage in personality theory emerged from the 1970s onward, becoming a staple in popular self-help and organizational development discourse. The word iteration aligns with other -gram constructions (diagram, monogram), but the Enneagram’s unique contribution is the symbolic ninefold structure and the corresponding nine personality types. The evolution reflects a cross-disciplinary blend of spirituality, psychology, and systems thinking, with modern usage emphasizing typology, growth paths, and self-awareness within personal and professional contexts.
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Words that rhyme with "Enneagram"
-ram sounds
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