3 syllables: En, tro, py. Stress on En.
EN-truh-pee
/ˈɛntɹəpi/
Entropy is pronounced EN-truh-pee (/ˈɛntɹəpi/). It has three syllables (En-tro-py), with the stress on "En". Entropy is a noun describing a measure of disorder or randomness in a system, often used in thermodynamics and information theory. It quantifies the number of microscopic configurations consistent with a macroscopic state, and tends to increase as systems evolve toward more probable states. In everyday use, it signals a tendency toward less order and predictability.
nounEntropy is a noun describing a measure of disorder or randomness in a system, often used in thermodynamics and information theory. It quantifies the number of microscopic configurations consistent with a macroscopic state, and tends to increase as systems evolve toward more probable states. In everyday use, it signals a tendency toward less order and predictability.
"The second law of thermodynamics states that the total entropy of an isolated system never decreases."
"In information theory, entropy measures the average amount of information produced by a stochastic source."
"Researchers studied the entropy of the network to understand its resilience and randomness."
Entropy is pronounced en-TRUH-pee in US and UK English, with the primary stress on the second syllable: /ɛnˈtrɒpi/ (UK /ˈɛn.trəʊ.pi/; US /ɛnˈtrɒ.pi/). In careful, scientific speech the first syllable can take a light secondary lift. Start with a short, relaxed en- then move to a clear TR-oh/try position for the second syllable, finishing with a crisp -py. Audio reference: you can compare pronunciations on Forvo or YouGlish by searching 'entropy'.
Common errors include stressing the first syllable (en-TRO-py instead of en-TR-O-py) and mispronouncing the middle vowel as a long ‘a’ or an /ɒ/ vs /ə/. Correct by keeping the second syllable strong: use /ˈtrɒ/ or /ˈtrəʊ/ dependent on accent, and finish with a light, unstressed -py. Practice with minimal pairs like ent-ropy vs ent-rol-gy to feel the contrast in stress and vowel quality.
US pronunciation tends to /ɛnˈtrɒpi/ with a rhotic, and a clearer /ɒ/ or /ɔ/ in the second syllable; UK tends to /ˈɛn.trəʊ.pi/ with a more mid-central vowel in the second syllable; Australian aligns closely with UK but with a slightly flatter intonation and less pronounced /r/ in non-rhotic positions. In all, the second syllable carries the primary stress and the final -py is unstressed.
Two main challenges are the consonant cluster in the middle (tr) and the final unstressed -py, which can blur in fast speech. The middle /tr/ requires precise timing between the alveolar stop and the alveolar tap, while the final /pi/ can sound like /po/ when the lips compress. Focusing on a clean /tr/ onset and a crisp, quick -py reduces slurring and preserves the two-syllable rhythm.
A useful entropy-specific note is that the second syllable /-tro/ or /-trə/ should have a strong, clear onset but quick vowel, avoiding a drawn-out 'tro' that drags the rhythm. Keep the vowel short and the 'py' final light and dental-alveolar in articulation. In word-internal syllable timing, ensure the path from /t/ to /r/ is smooth to avoid a lisp-like transition.
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Entropy comes from the Greek words en- (in) and tropos (turn, turning), combined with the later Latinized ending -py as part of the scientific term entropy. The concept was introduced in the 19th century by Rudolf Clausius in thermodynamics, delineating the measure of unavailable energy to do work. The term was later adopted into information theory by Claude Shannon, who reused the word to describe the average information content or uncertainty of a source. Over time, entropy migrated from a strictly physical quantity to a broader measure of disorder and randomness in systems, including computation, data streams, and even ecological processes. First known use in a scientific context dates from the mid-1800s within thermodynamics, with the modern information-theoretic usage crystallizing in the mid-20th century as communication theory matured, establishing entropy as a central concept in quantifying unpredictability and complexity across disciplines.
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Words that rhyme with "Entropy"
-ope sounds
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