4 syllables: Ex, per, i, ment. Stress on per.
ik-SPER-uh-muhnt
/ɪkˈspɛɹəmənt/
Experiment is pronounced ik-SPER-uh-muhnt (/ɪkˈspɛɹəmənt/). It has four syllables (Ex-per-i-ment), with the stress on "per". Experiment (noun) refers to a planned procedure to test a hypothesis or observe a phenomenon under controlled conditions. It can also mean an action undertaken to explore or discover something new. In practice, it implies systematic inquiry, careful observation, and measurement to validate ideas or to explore outcomes beyond ordinary experience.
nounExperiment (noun) refers to a planned procedure to test a hypothesis or observe a phenomenon under controlled conditions. It can also mean an action undertaken to explore or discover something new. In practice, it implies systematic inquiry, careful observation, and measurement to validate ideas or to explore outcomes beyond ordinary experience.
"The scientist conducted a controlled experiment to verify the results."
"We ran a kitchen experiment to see if a shorter bake time changes the texture."
"Marketing researchers performed an A/B test as a field experiment."
US/UK pronunciations share /ɪkˈspɛr.ɪ.mənt/ for the noun. The primary stress falls on the second syllable: eks-PEAR-ih-ment. Start with a short 'ih' in the first syllable, a stressed 'PEAR' with the lips mid-open, then a light 'ih' and ending with 'mənt'. For clear articulation, emphasize the /ˈspɛr/ cluster, keeping the /r/ lightly pronounced (non-rhotic accents may reduce /r/). See audio references on Pronounce and major dictionaries.
Common errors include misplacing the stress (declaring EXP-er-i-ment instead of eks-PEER-ih-ment), mispronouncing the vowel in the second syllable as /ɛ/ instead of /ɛ/ in many dialects, and omitting the final syllable /mənt/. To correct: keep strong stress on the second syllable, ensure the /spɛr/ sequence is crisp with a short but rounded /ɛ/ and produce a clear /mənt/ with a light, non-syllabic ending if comfortable.
US tends toward /ɪkˈspɛr.ɪ.mənt/ with rhotic /r/. UK often has /ɪkˈsper.ɪ.mənt/ with non-rhotic /r/ and a slightly shorter final vowel. Australian typically blends with /ɪkˈspɛr.ɪ.mənt/ and may have a more centralized or reduced vowel in the first syllable, with a crisp /t/ ending. In all, the second syllable bears primary stress; rhoticity and vowel quality vary subtly across regions.
The difficulty centers on the multisyllabic rhythm and the stressed, mid-front vowel in the second syllable combined with the /sp/ cluster and the final /mənt/. Native speakers may neutralize vowels or alter the /ɪ/ vs /ɛ/ distinction. Additionally, the sequence /spɛr.ɪ/ can challenge non-native speakers due to rapid vowel transitions and the final nasal /nt/ cluster after a schwa-like ending.
A unique aspect is the shift of stress to the second syllable in the commonly used form as a noun, compared with possible verb forms where stress might shift in compound or educational expressions (e.g., 'to exPERiment' vs 'an exPERiment' in some speech contexts). Focus on maintaining crisp /spɛr/ and avoiding devoicing of the final /nt/. IPA reference: /ɪkˈspɛr.ɪ.mənt/.
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The word experiment originates from the Latin experiri, meaning 'to try' or 'to test'. The noun form entered English through Old French esperimer or esperiment, with the sense of trial or test. By the 15th century, experiment conveyed a methodical trial to discover truth, positioning it within scientific inquiry. The term evolved alongside emerging scientific rigor in the 17th century, aligning with controlled observations and repeatable procedures. The core idea shifted from a general attempt to a disciplined, hypothesis-driven process. In modern usage, 'experiment' spans scientific, educational, and everyday contexts, often implying formal design, control of variables, and measurable outcomes. The word crystallizes around the concept of deliberate testing to confirm or refute ideas, not merely casual exploration. First known uses appear in Latin texts and early English scientific writings, where it was associated with practical challenge, testing, and experimentation as a method for knowledge-building.
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Words that rhyme with "Experiment"
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