2 syllables: Fam, ine. Stress on Fam.
FAM-uhn
/ˈfæmən/
Famine is pronounced FAM-uhn (/ˈfæmən/). It has two syllables (Fam-ine), with the stress on "Fam". Famine is a prolonged period of severe scarcity of food in a region, often resulting from crop failure, drought, or war. It is characterized by widespread hunger, malnutrition, and rising mortality. The term stresses a large-scale crisis impacting a population over time, rather than a temporary shortage.
nounFamine is a prolonged period of severe scarcity of food in a region, often resulting from crop failure, drought, or war. It is characterized by widespread hunger, malnutrition, and rising mortality. The term stresses a large-scale crisis impacting a population over time, rather than a temporary shortage.
How to Pronounce Famine
"The dried wells and failed harvests led to a devastating famine."
"Aid agencies mobilized to alleviate famine in the affected provinces."
"Historically, famines have accompanied wars and colonial policies."
US/UK pronunciation centers on the two-syllable pattern: fa-mine, with primary stress on the first syllable: /ˈfæmɪn/ (US/UK). In US English you may hear a slightly longer vowel in the first syllable; UK tends to a shorter, clipped first vowel but still stress on the first syllable: /ˈfæmɪn/. For Australian English, it’s also /ˈfæmɪn/ but with subtle vowel quality differences and non-rhoticity. Audio references: consult standard dictionaries or pronunciation platforms for speaker samples, then mirror the mouth shape for the /æ/ in the first syllable and a short /ɪ/ in the second.
Common errors include turning the first syllable into a longer, less clipped /eɪ/ or /e/ sound (faːmin) and overpronouncing the second syllable as /ˈfæmiːn/ with a lengthened final vowel. Another frequent error is inserting an extra 'e' sound, producing /ˈfɒmɪn/ or /ˈfeɪmən/. Correct by maintaining the short /æ/ in the first syllable and a quick, unstressed /ɪ/ in the second, finishing crisply with /n/.
In US English, /ˈfæmɪn/ with broad /æ/ and a distinctly short second vowel /ɪ/. UK English often shows a slightly shorter secondary vowel and crisper consonants, still /ˈfæmɪn/. Australian English closely mirrors US/UK rhythms but may feature a more centralized /ɪ/ and vowel quality variation. The rhoticity isn’t a factor in this word, but vowel quantity and reduction can diverge slightly by speaker.
The challenge lies in the short, lax two-syllable structure where the first vowel /æ/ must be precise and not drift toward /e/ or /a/. The second syllable contains a reduced /ɪ/; keeping it unstressed and quick is key to natural rhythm. Also ensure the final /n/ is light, not nasalized overly. IPA guidance and listening practice help lock in the two clear, evenly timed syllables.
Does the word ever undergo vowel lengthening in connected speech? Generally not in careful speech, but in rapid speech you may hear a slightly longer /æ/ before /m/ as the mouth holds the vowel a touch longer before the /m/ closure. Maintain the crisp /æ/ and a quick transition to /m/ to preserve the /mæ/ onset followed by /mɪn/.
🗣️ Voice search tip: These questions are optimized for voice search. Try asking your voice assistant any of these questions about "Famine"!
- US: /ˈfæ.mɪn/ with rhoticity not affecting the word; keep /æ/ bright, /ɪ/ short. - UK: /ˈfæ.mɪn/ with crisper /t/? Not applicable; maintain short /ɪ/ and quick /n/. - AU: /ˈfæ.mɪn/ with slightly centralized vowels; listen and mimic native samples for vowel coloring. Reference IPA to monitor vowel quality, duration, and stress differences.
Famine comes from the Old French famine, from Latin famina, meaning ‘hunger, scarcity,’ with roots in the Ancient Greek famēn. The word entered English by the 13th century, originally denoting a severe shortage of food due to scarcity or drought. Over time, famine broadened to describe chronic periods of extreme hunger that precipitate malnutrition and population decline. In many historical contexts, famine is linked to agricultural failure, war, or political collapse, and its meaning has remained closely tied to mass food deprivation rather than personal or minor shortages. The evolution of famine as a term reflects social, economic, and political dimensions of food security, including the capacity of institutions to prevent, respond to, or exacerbate widespread hunger. First known uses appear in medieval records describing harvest failures and their consequences on urban and rural communities. The word’s lexical journey mirrors human vulnerability to environmental shocks and systemic inequality that governs food distribution and access across societies.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "Famine" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "Famine" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Famine" and show contrast in usage.
📚 Vocabulary tip: Learning synonyms and antonyms helps you understand nuanced differences in meaning and improves your word choice in speaking and writing.
Words that rhyme with "Famine"
-ame sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
🎵 Rhyme tip: Practicing with rhyming words helps you master similar sound patterns and improves your overall pronunciation accuracy.
