3 syllables: Ep, er, gne. Stress on Ep.
EP-urn
/ˈɛpɚn/
Epergne is pronounced EP-urn (/ˈɛpɚn/). It has three syllables (Ep-er-gne), with the stress on "Ep". An epergne is an ornate multi-tiered centerpiece, typically used for serving fruit or desserts at table. Traditionally made of silver or porcelain, it features a central stand with several dishes or baskets arranged in tiers. The term denotes both the decorative item and the manner of display in elegant dining settings.
nounAn epergne is an ornate multi-tiered centerpiece, typically used for serving fruit or desserts at table. Traditionally made of silver or porcelain, it features a central stand with several dishes or baskets arranged in tiers. The term denotes both the decorative item and the manner of display in elegant dining settings.
- Mistaking the final 'gne' for a hard 'gn' like in 'gnome'; correct by ending with a soft nasal /n/ without a strong consonant release. - Placing primary stress on the second syllable instead of the first; fix by practicing the word in isolation with a clear initial shock-stress, then in phrases. - Over-articulating the middle vowel, giving an explicit /eɪ/ or /ɛ/ in /ˈɛpərn/; aim for a relaxed, mid-central vowel /ə/ or /ər/ in the unstressed second syllable. - Not reducing the second syllable; maintain a light /ər/ or /ə/ rather than a full syllable. Practice with slowed speech to feel the cadence. - Final flapping or alveolar release in some dialects; resist by keeping the final /n/ crisp and unflapped in careful speech.
How to Pronounce Epergne
"The antique shop displayed a delicate silver Epergne with three hanging falcons' nests of dishes."
"At the gala, the head waiter placed a crystal Epergne filled with berries at the center of each table."
"She inherited a nineteenth-century Epergne, its intricate latticework gleaming under the ballroom lights."
Pronounce as eh-PERNY. IPA: US/UK: /ˈɛpərn/ or /ˈeɪpərn/ depending on variation. The key is stress on the first syllable, with a schwa-like second syllable and a final nasal-palatal blend /rn/. Visualize saying 'ep' as in 'pet' and finish with a soft 'ern' as in 'barren' without a strong 'g' or 'k' sound.
Common errors include stressing the wrong syllable (often shifting to second syllable), pronouncing the final 'gne' as a hard 'gn' like 'gnome' instead of the soft 'ny' sound, and giving the middle vowel a clear 'er' instead of a reduced schwa. Correction: place primary stress on the first syllable, soften the second syllable with /ər/ or /ə/, and render the final 'gne' as /n/ with a light /j/ onset: /ˈɛpərn/ or /ˈeɪpərn/ depending on locale.
In US English you’ll often hear /ˈɛpərn/ with a clearer first vowel and schwa in the second, while UK speakers may use /ˈɛpən/ or /ˈeɪpən/ with less vowel length. Australian speakers commonly adopt /ˈeɪpən/ or /ˈɛpən/ with a non-rhotic vowel quality and a softer final nasal. The main differences lie in the vowel quality of the first syllable and the presence of rhoticity in US vs non-rhotic UK/AU forms.
The challenge lies in the unusual final cluster 'gne', which often lacks a familiar English equivalent, as well as the rarity of the word causing unfamiliar stress patterns. Also, the middle vowel can drift toward an unstressed schwa, which can feel tricky when trying to maintain a crisp first syllable. Practice focusing on the /p/ followed by a light /ər/ and a soft /n/ finish to stabilize the rhythm.
A distinctive aspect is the soft, nearly inaudible 'r' in the second syllable for non-rhotic speakers, combined with the light nasal ending. You’ll want to avoid a hard 'g' or 'j' sound; instead, aim for a delicate nasal /n/ with a subtle palatal onset /j/ if you hear it in prompts, producing /ˈɛpərn/ or /ˈeɪpən/ depending on your accent.
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- US: emphasis on the first syllable, /ˈɛpərn/; rhotic /r/ is pronounced clearly. - UK: may render as /ˈepən/ or /ˈeɪpən/ with a non-rhotic approach and a lighter /ə/ in the second syllable. - AU: often /ˈeɪpən/ or /ˈɛpən/, non-rhotic; vowel may shift toward a closer mid vowel, depending on region. In all accents, keep the final /n/ unobstructed. - IPA anchors: /ˈɛpərn/ (US), /ˈepən/ (UK), /ˈeɪpən/ (AU variant).
Epergne derives from the French word 'épergne', which itself likely originates from the Provençal or French-speaking regions of Europe in the 17th-18th centuries, where elaborate dining services were fashionable. The word appears in English culinary and decorative inventories during the late 18th century, often referring to a lacy, multi-tiered centerpiece holding fruits, desserts, and sweets. Its form evolved from earlier bread-frames and basket-like stands used in French households, blending into English silverwork vocabulary as manufacturers adopted the term to describe a standardized style of centerpiece. The spelling with 'eau' and 'gn' reflects French phonotactics, though pronunciations in English developed variable stress patterns across regions. The earliest documented usage in English literature occurs in catalogs and estate inventories from the 1770s onward, with installations in high-society homes. By the 19th century, epêre objects were produced in silver and anodized metals, increasingly popular as status symbols in Victorian dining rooms. The term remains a general label for the type of decorative, multi-tiered centerpiece and is sometimes used more broadly to describe similar objects in period décor collections. Overall, 'epergne' captures a snapshot of European haute cuisine and decorative arts influencing English domestic luxury through the centuries.
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Words that rhyme with "Epergne"
-arn sounds
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