3 syllables: Ex, hib, it. Stress on hib.
ig-ZIB-it
/ɪˈɡzɪbɪt/
Exhibit is pronounced ig-ZIB-it (/ɪˈɡzɪbɪt/). It has three syllables (Ex-hib-it), with the stress on "hib". Exhibit is a verb meaning to display or present something publicly, or to provide evidence in support of a claim. In everyday use it often refers to showing objects in a gallery or presenting findings in a report or trial. The term spans both tangible presentation and demonstration, carrying a formal, sometimes ceremonial, connotation.
verbExhibit is a verb meaning to display or present something publicly, or to provide evidence in support of a claim. In everyday use it often refers to showing objects in a gallery or presenting findings in a report or trial. The term spans both tangible presentation and demonstration, carrying a formal, sometimes ceremonial, connotation.
"The museum will exhibit ancient artifacts from the new collection."
"She chose to exhibit her data clearly to support the hypothesis."
"The courtroom turned to the defense as the key piece of evidence was exhibited."
Pronounce exhibit as /ɪɡˈzɪbɪt/ in US and UK, with primary stress on the second syllable. Start with a short, lax /ɪ/ in the first syllable, then a voiced /gz/ blend as in 'egz-'. The second syllable carries the main stress: /ˈzɪ/ where /ɪ/ is a lax vowel, followed by /bɪt/. Keep the final /t/ crisp. Audio reference tip: listen for the clear /gz/ cluster and the staccato final /t/ in careful, formal speech.
Common errors include misplacing the stress (saying ex-HIB-it), or softening the /z/ into an /s/ in the /gz/ cluster. Another frequent issue is reducing the final /t/ to a quick, almost silent consonant. Correction: ensure the primary stress is on the second syllable /ɡˈzɪ/, pronounce /gz/ clearly as a single consonant blend, emphasize the /t/ at the end, and avoid vowel reduction in the middle syllable.
In US and UK, exhibit uses /ɪɡˈzɪbɪt/ with the standard /ɡz/ cluster. US rhotics influence the surrounding vowels slightly, but rhoticity doesn’t change the core syllables. Australian English remains similar but may exhibit a marginally longer vowel in the middle /ɪ/ and a crisper final /t/. Across accents, the two main variations are the exact vowel qualities in /ɪ/ and the timing of the stressed /ˈzɪ/ syllable.
The difficulty centers on the /gz/ consonant cluster right after the initial /ɪ/ and the secondary syllable stress. The /ɡ/ links to /z/ creating a voiced cluster that can be mispronounced as /z/ or /ɡ/ alone. Additionally, the shift from the unstressed first syllable to the stressed /ˈzɪ/ requires precise timing and muscle coordination. Practicing the /ɡz/ blend and maintaining crisp final /t/ helps.IPA cues: /ɪɡˈzɪbɪt/.
One unique aspect is that the /gz/ sequence begins with a hard /g/ release followed immediately by /z/, which can feel awkward in rapid speech. Focus on a single, fluid /ɡz/ release rather than trying to separate the sounds. You’ll hear a tight transition from the first schwa-like vowel to the /ɡ/ release and then the z-voicing into /bɪt/. This helps avoid an overemphasized /z/ or /s/ in the middle.
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Exhibit derives from the Latin exhibere, meaning to show forth, bring before, or display. The prefix ex- means out of, emphasizing outward display, while -hibere relates to holding or possessing, from the Latin habere. The term entered English via Middle French and Latin influences, with early uses in legal, theatrical, and educational contexts, where to exhibit signified presenting something for public inspection or scrutiny. Over time, the word broadened from strictly legal or public display to include general acts of showing evidence or presenting information in various professional settings. By the 17th and 18th centuries, exhibit became a standard verb in museums, courts, and science, evolving to a more everyday sense of demonstrating or presenting data, objects, or ideas. The noun exhibit (a thing presented) developed in tandem, often used in galleries and exhibitions. Today, exhibit retains formal tone in professional discourse, while also appearing in casual contexts to describe displays, evidence, or demonstrations in everyday life.
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Words that rhyme with "Exhibit"
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