2 syllables: fil, ter. Stress on fil.
/ˈfɪltɚ/
Say it backA device or process that removes unwanted material or contaminants from a liquid, gas, or signal; to pass a substance through a porous medium or mechanism to refine it. In computing, it can denote selecting or sorting data by certain criteria. The term encompasses physical filtration and abstract filtering in information processing.
"The kitchen sink clogged, so I replaced the clogged filter."
"A coffee filter ensures the brew is clear of grounds."
"The spam filter blocks unwanted emails."
You say it as two syllables: /ˈfɪl·tər/ in US and /ˈfɪl.tə/ in UK and AU. Start with the short i as in ‘sit’ for /ɪ/, then a clear /l/ with the tongue at the alveolar ridge, and end with a weak, schwa-like /ə/ (or a rhotacized ending in US /-ɚ/). Stress falls on the first syllable. Practice by saying FILL- and then soft-ER, making the second syllable lighter.
Common errors: (1) Misplacing the /l/ and rushing the second syllable, turning /ˈfɪl.tər/ into /ˈfɪl.tɜr/. (2) Reducing the second vowel too much, producing a non-syllabic ending. (3) Substituting /ɜː/ or /ɚ/ in the second syllable; keep a short /ə/ or rhotacized /-ər/ depending on accent. Correction: hold a light /t/ between syllables and ensure a clean /t/; keep the /ə/ unstressed. Practice the two-note rhythm FɪL - tər, with a crisp /t/.
US typically /ˈfɪl.tɚ/ with rhotacized final /ɚ/; the /ɚ/ is a soft, curled tongue vowel. UK/AU often /ˈfɪl.tə/ with a non-rhotics or-Schwa-ending; the final is a light /ə/ or /ə/ depending on speaker. The main difference is rhoticity: US pronunciations retain the /ɚ/; UK/AU may reduce to /ə/ or de-emphasize the rhoticity. Also, the first vowel remains /ɪ/ as in 'sit' for both varieties.
The challenge lies in coordinating the alveolar nasal/lateral /l/ with the following aspirated /t/ and the quick glide into a weak, unstressed vowel. The sequence /l. t/ demands precise timing to avoid a blended or intrusive /l/ into the /t/. Subtle vowel reduction in the second syllable can also blur the word’s rhythm. Paying attention to the two-stressed-syllable structure and ending with a light schwa helps you land the pronunciation crisply.
Typically no. In most English varieties, filter is a strong-weak pattern with primary stress on the first syllable: FIL-ter. A rare exception might occur in careful reading or emphasis, where you could slightly stress the second syllable to contrast with another word in a sentence, but this is uncommon. For normal speech, keep the primary stress on the first syllable and the second syllable reduced.
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Filter derives from the Latin filtrum meaning a felt or rag used to strain liquids, from filum meaning thread or filament, and is related to the verb to filter, which appears in English in the 15th century. The word passed from Middle French filtre and Old North French filtre into English, often in contexts of sieving and straining. Its early meaning centered on a woven or felted material for straining; over time, the sense broadened to refer to the device or mechanism that performs the action of straining, as well as the act of filtering as a process. In modern usage, filter spans physical devices (air, water, oil, coffee) and abstract data filtering in computing, reflecting the concept of selective passage through a barrier. First known uses appear in engineering and textile contexts, with the sense evolution paralleling developments in filtration technology and information processing in the 19th and 20th centuries.
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Help others use "filter" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "filter" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "filter" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "filter"
-ter sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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