3 syllables: fe, mi, nist. Stress on fe.
FEM-uh-nist
/ˈfɛmənɪst/
feminist is pronounced FEM-uh-nist (/ˈfɛmənɪst/). It has three syllables (fe-mi-nist), with the stress on "fe". A feminist is a person who advocates for gender equality and women's rights, often engaging in analysis, activism, or advocacy to challenge patriarchal systems. The term can describe someone who aligns with feminist theories, policies, and movements, and who supports social, political, and economic equity. It encompasses a range of perspectives and approaches to achieving equality.
A feminist is a person who advocates for gender equality and women's rights, often engaging in analysis, activism, or advocacy to challenge patriarchal systems. The term can describe someone who aligns with feminist theories, policies, and movements, and who supports social, political, and economic equity. It encompasses a range of perspectives and approaches to achieving equality.
- You may neutralize the second vowel, making it sound like /ˈfɛmɪnəst/; keep /ɪ/ distinct. - You might shorten or swallow the final /t/; practice a light, crisp release. - You may stress the second syllable by mistake; remember primary stress remains on the first syllable.
"She identifies as a feminist and campaigns for equal pay."
"The conference gathered scholars and activists to discuss feminist theory."
"Feminist critiques of media helped reshape the campaign messaging."
Pronounce it as /ˈfɛmɪnɪst/. The first syllable carries primary stress: FEM-; the middle vowel is a short /ɪ/ as in bit, and the final -ist is /ɪst/ with a light /t/ at the end. Mouth positions: start with a quick open jaw for /fɛ/; keep the lips unrounded for /e/; end with a crisp /st/ release. You can listen to native pronunciation on Pronounce or Forvo for reference.
Common errors include misplacing stress (putting emphasis on the second syllable FEM-i-nist) and blending the /n/ with the /ɪ/ to sound like /ˈfɛmɪnɪst/ without a distinct /ɪ/ in the second syllable. Some speakers also shorten the middle /ɪ/ or pronounce the final /st/ as /sd/ or /t/. To correct: maintain clear /ˈfɛm/ for the first syllable, ensure a distinct /ɪ/ as the second vowel, and end with a clean /st/ without adding extra vowel between /n/ and /ɪ/.
US and UK share /ˈfɛmɪnɪst/, but rhoticity matters: US speakers are typically rhotic, though /r/ is not present in this word. UK tends toward non-rhotic articulation; the /t/ final is released more crisply by many speakers. Australian speakers may have a broader vowel quality in the first syllable, and the /ɪ/ in the second syllable may be slightly closer to /ɪ/ or /ə/. Overall, the prime feature is the stressed first syllable with a short /e/ and a crisp /st/ ending.
The challenge lies in the sequence of short vowels and the final alveolar /st/ cluster. Keeping the /ɪ/ of the second syllable distinct while not letting the tongue relax into a schwa is tricky. Also, the short /e/ in the first syllable can be misarticulated as /ɛ/ or reduced in rapid speech. Practicing with slow tempo and deliberate mouth positions helps maintain the right tongue height for /ˈfɛmɪnɪst/.
A notable nuance is ensuring the second syllable’s /ɪ/ is not merged too quickly with /n/ or elided in casual speech. The syllable boundary is clear: FEM-i-nist, with the nucleus vowels /e/ in the first, /ɪ/ in the second, and a final /ɪst/ cluster that should not be accented as a separate word boundary. Focus on crisp /ɪ/ clearance and a final /st/ without a trailing schwa.
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- US: rhoticity not an issue here; keep /ˈfɛmɪnɪst/ with a clear first syllable. Mouth: lips spread slightly for /f/ then relaxed; jaw drop for /e/; tongue high-mid for /ɪ/; tip behind upper teeth for /n/; tip of tongue for /t/. - UK: slight non-rhoticity; final /t/ plume is crisper; /e/ may be closer to /eɪ/ in some speakers; keep /ɪ/ distinct. - AU: broader vowel quality in /e/ and /ɪ/; maintain same stress pattern; avoid slurring the /n/ with /ɪ/. IPA references above.
The word feminist derives from the French word féministe, which itself comes from femme, meaning woman, and the suffix -iste, denoting a practitioner or advocate. In English, feminism as a social and political movement emerged in the 19th and early 20th centuries in tandem with women’s suffrage and labor movements. The term feminist first appeared in the 1890s, with early usage in Europe and North America to describe proponents of women’s rights, including voting, education, and labor equity. The word’s meaning has evolved with the movement: from general advocacy for women’s rights to a more theory-driven discipline that includes strands like liberal feminism, radical feminism, socialist feminism, and intersectional feminism. The label became widely adopted in academic and activist contexts through the 20th century and into contemporary discourse, where it often signals a commitment to challenging gendered power structures and advocating for equal opportunities and treatment across all spheres of life.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "feminist" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "feminist" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "feminist"
-ist sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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