3 syllables: Ep, si, lon. Stress on Ep.
EP-suh-lahn
/ˈɛpsəˌlɑn/
Epsilon is pronounced EP-suh-lahn (/ˈɛpsəˌlɑn/). It has three syllables (Ep-si-lon), with the stress on "Ep". Epsilon is a noun used in mathematics and science to denote the first letter of the Greek alphabet or to express a small positive quantity in limits and analysis. In context, it often implies an arbitrarily small amount, used to describe precision or tolerance. The term is also used in various disciplines as a symbol for a variable, parameter, or constant within formulas and proofs.
nounEpsilon is a noun used in mathematics and science to denote the first letter of the Greek alphabet or to express a small positive quantity in limits and analysis. In context, it often implies an arbitrarily small amount, used to describe precision or tolerance. The term is also used in various disciplines as a symbol for a variable, parameter, or constant within formulas and proofs.
How to Pronounce Epsilon
"In calculus, you can make the error term as small as you like by choosing a sufficiently small epsilon."
"The experiment’s tolerance was set to a few epsilon units to account for measurement uncertainty."
"In the Greek alphabet, Epsilon comes after Delta and before Zeta."
Pronounce as /ˈɛp.sɪ.lɒn/ in US/UK/AU English. Stress is on the first syllable: EP-si-lon. The second syllable uses a short /ɪ/ sound, and the final syllable has a broad /ɒ/ like ‘lot’ in American English, but in many accents the final vowel sounds closer to /ɒ/ as in ‘hot.’ Keep the final consonant nasal /n/ clearly released. For reference, imagine saying ‘ep-sih-lon’ with a crisp first syllable.
Two common errors: misplacing stress or shortening the final vowel. First, speakers may say ‘e-PEE-si-lon’ by shifting stress to the second syllable; keep the primary stress on the first syllable. Second, many shorten the final /ɒn/ to a schwa-like /ən/ or drop the /l/: say /ˈɛp.sɪˌlɒn/ with an audible /l/ before the nasal. Also avoid turning the middle /ɪ/ into a longer vowel; keep it short and crisp as in ‘ep-sih-lon.’ Practicing with a mirror and slow tempo helps fix these.
In US/UK/AU, the initial /ˈɛ/ vowel is similar, but rhotic or non-rhotic tendencies affect the final syllable. US and AU accents typically retain /ɒ/ or /ɒː/ depending on speaker, with a clear /n/; UK RP may feature a slightly tighter /ɒ/ vowel and faster vowel reduction in connected speech. Rhotic accents may show subtle linking before vowels, while non-rhotic varieties may have a slightly rounded, less pronounced final /n/. Overall, the core segments /ˈɛp/ and /sɪ/ remain stable, with final vowel quality varying by region.
The difficulty lies in the sequence of short vowels and the final /lɒn/ cluster. The /ɪ/ in the second syllable is brief, and the /ɒ/ in many accents is a back open vowel that can shift toward /ɔ/ or /ɐ/ in connected speech. The transition from /s/ to /ɪ/ can feel abrupt, and the final /on/ or /ən/ needs controlled nasalization. Misplacing the primary stress and softening the /l/ can mute the syllable rhythm. Practicing precise tongue position and slow enunciation helps stabilize the word.
A distinctive feature is maintaining a clean, light /s/ followed by a quick /ɪ/ before the /l/—avoid letting the /s/ blend into a heavy /p/ or /l/ in the same transition. Ensure the /p/ has a small burst without releasing the air too forcefully, then promptly glide into /sɪ/ with a crisp /ɪ/. Finally, enunciate the final /lɒn/ with controlled alveolar contact and a clear nasal /n/. This keeps the word precise in longer mathematical phrases.
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Epsilon comes from the Greek letter Εpsilon, the fifth letter of the Greek alphabet, derived from Phoenician ayin, symbolizing an eye or spring. The term entered mathematical usage through Greek-letter nomenclature to denote small quantities or tolerances, particularly in the context of limits and analysis. In the 19th and 20th centuries, epsilon became a standard symbol in rigorous mathematical definitions—such as “for all epsilon > 0, there exists” in limits and proofs—facilitating precise statements about arbitrarily small margins. Its pronunciation and transliteration into English align with the ancient name, preserving its role as a compact variable in equations across disciplines and fields of study.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Epsilon" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "Epsilon"
-ton sounds
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