4 syllables: ex, u, ber, ant. Stress on ber.
ig-ZOO-bur-uhnt
/ɪɡˈzuːbɚənt/
exuberant is pronounced ig-ZOO-bur-uhnt (/ɪɡˈzuːbɚənt/). It has four syllables (ex-u-ber-ant), with the stress on "ber". Exuberant describes lively energy, enthusiasm, or vitality expressed outwardly. It denotes a high-spirited, exuberant display of joy or excitement, often with expressive movement. The term conveys spirited, unrestrained vigor in behavior or appearance, sometimes bordering on overabundance in emotion or display.
Exuberant describes lively energy, enthusiasm, or vitality expressed outwardly. It denotes a high-spirited, exuberant display of joy or excitement, often with expressive movement. The term conveys spirited, unrestrained vigor in behavior or appearance, sometimes bordering on overabundance in emotion or display.
- You might default to ex-ER-buh-nt or ex-oo-BER-uhnt; correct by locking the stress on the second syllable and using a clear long /uː/ in the second syllable. - Final -ant often mispronounced as /ænt/; practice ending with a light /ənt/ to avoid a heavy vowel before the nasal. - The /zuː/ cluster can become /zu/ or /zuː/ inconsistently; practice with a held long /uː/ and then quick, faint schwa. - Use minimal pairs to test: exuberant vs exuberance, exuberant vs exuberity. - Record and compare to native speech; adjust tempo to match natural rhythm.
"Her exuberant laughter filled the room after she won the prize."
"The team celebrated with exuberant cheers and confetti."
"Children as young as three can be exuberant, full of boundless curiosity."
Pronounce as /ɪɡˈzuː.bə.rənt/ (US) or /ˌɛkˈsjuː.bə.rənt/ (UK) with primary stress on the second syllable: exc-zu-BER-ant. The first syllable reduces to a quick 'ig' or 'ex' leading into a long stressed 'zuː' or 'zu'. Follow with a schwa-rhotic '-ə-rənt'. Keep the final 'ant' light and unstressed.
Common errors include stressing the wrong syllable (ex-ü-ber-ant), pronouncing the second vowel as a short /ɪ/ instead of a long /uː/, and flattening the final -ant to /ænt/. Correct by: (1) emphasizing the second syllable with /ˈzuː/; (2) using a tense /uː/ rather than /ʊ/ or /ɪ/; (3) finishing with a clear /ənt/, not /ænt/ or /ɒnt/.
US: /ɪɡˈzuː.bə.rənt/ with rhotic /r/. UK: /ˌɛkˈsjuː.bə.rənt/ or /ˌeksjuˈbərənt/ with non-rhotic r-like presence depending on region; AU: /ˌeksjuˈbərənt/ with strong schwa and non-rhotic tendencies but rolled internal linking can occur. All share primary stress on the second syllable; US keeps full rhotic r in the final syllable, UK/AU varieties influence rhoticity and vowel length slightly.
Two main challenges: a) the /zuː/ cluster that doesn’t appear in many common words; the long /uː/ requires a rounded, tense vowel without lip spreading; b) the final /rənt/ sequence where the schwa-vowel link and the rhotic or non-rhotic final r influence can be subtle. The combination of primary stress on the penultimate syllable and a trailing unstressed -ant demands precise jaw relaxation and mouth shaping for a smooth transition.
Indeed: the presence of a long /uː/ in the second syllable combined with a post-tonic /bə/ reducing stress, and a final /rənt/ cluster that often reduces to a light schwa before ending consonant. The accentual beat creates a strong mid-word peak on the second syllable, followed by a quick, light suffix. IPA markers help you rehearse precise timing and place of articulation.
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US: emphasize rhotic rhoticity and maintain a clear /ˈzuː/ vowel; UK: less rhotic influence on final syllable, keep /rənt/ light; AU: similar to US with often slightly more vowel reduction in fast speech. IPA anchors: US /ɪɡˈzuː.bə.rənt/, UK /ˌeks.juˈbɜː.rənt/ (depending on speaker), AU /ˌeks.juˈbəɹænt/? (vowel quality varies). Focus on keeping your second syllable long and rounded, and the final 'ant' soft.
Exuberant comes from the Latin exuberare, meaning to overflow or abound, from e- (out) + būr (overflow) with the sense of swelling beyond the usual bounds. In Medieval Latin, exuberare described rivers overflowing their banks. The form entered English via French exuberant or directly from Latin into English by the early modern period. The sense broadened from literal overflow to figurative overflow of feelings, vitality, and growth. By the 18th and 19th centuries, exuberant commonly described people or expressions full of high spirits and energy. Over time, the word acquired a slightly exuberant, even exuberance connotation in taste and style (as in exuberant decoration), reinforcing the sense of radiant abundance. First known uses appear in 16th–17th century dictionaries with related forms (exuberate) and later noun derivatives (exuberance) solidifying the term’s emotional charge.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "exuberant" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "exuberant" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "exuberant"
-ous sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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