2 syllables: flag, ship. Stress on flag.
FLAG-ship
/ˈflæˌɡʃɪp/
flagship is pronounced FLAG-ship (/ˈflæˌɡʃɪp/). It has two syllables (flag-ship), with the stress on "flag". Flagship (noun). The most important or leading product, ship, or location in a company's lineup, often serving as a model or symbol of the brand. It typically embodies the highest quality or newest features and is central to branding and strategy.
Flagship (noun). The most important or leading product, ship, or location in a company's lineup, often serving as a model or symbol of the brand. It typically embodies the highest quality or newest features and is central to branding and strategy.
"The company unveiled its flagship smartphone with a revolutionary camera system."
"The flagship store opened on Fifth Avenue and drew crowds from across the city."
"Investors watched the flagship project closely as a predictor of overall company health."
Flagship is pronounced with two syllables: FLAG + SHIP. The primary stress is on the first syllable: /ˈflæɡˌʃɪp/. The initial /fl/ blends with a clear /æ/ vowel, then a light /ɡ/, followed by the /ʃ/ sound and final /ɪp/. Your mouth starts with a small open jaw for /æ/ and ends with a rounded lip position for /ɪ/ before the bilabial /p/. For audio reference, listen to native speakers saying /ˈflæɡˌʃɪp/ on reputable pronunciation platforms and imitate the crisp two-syllable rhythm.
Common errors: replacing /æ/ with a more open /a/ in some dialects, or slurring the /ɡ/ into /d/ or /k/. Another pitfall is misplacing the secondary stress or treating /ʃ/ as a /s/ or /tʃ/ substitute. Correction tips: maintain a crisp /æ/ in the first syllable, keep /ɡ/ as a distinct voiced stop before /ʃ/, and ensure the /ʃ/ is soft and palatal with a forward tongue blade, not a hissing /s/. Finish with a clean /p/ at the end. Practice isolated phonemes and then blend into the word with steady breath.
Across US, UK, and AU, the core pronunciation /ˈflæɡˌʃɪp/ remains similar, with differences mainly in vowel length and rhoticity. US and AU are rhotic and maintain the /æ/ and /ɪ/ as in /ˈflæɡˌʃɪp/. UK often features a slightly shorter, tenser /æ/ and can have subtler /ɪ/ quality. In all, the main variation is vowel quality and any subtle diphthongization; the/+r/ is not present in non-rhotic British variants, but /ɹ/ is not pronounced in colloquial non-rhotic speech. You’ll still hear the same two-syllable rhythm, with primary stress on the first syllable.
The challenge lies in linking the stop /g/ with the following /ʃ/ into a smooth transition, avoiding a colliding or swallowed /g/. The /æ/ is short and tense; many learners overextend it or substitute an /e/ or /a/ vowel. The /ʃ/ should be a distinct palatal fricative, not an /s/ or /tʃ/. Practicing the sequence /æɡ ʃ/ helps stabilize the transition. Also, ensure the final /p/ is unreleased or lightly released; otherwise, you risk a loose final syllable.
Flagship combines a tense short vowel, a clear /ɡ/ stop, and the /ʃ/ fricative, which together can trip learners who misplace the tongue for /æ/ or blend /ɡ/ into /ɡʃ/. It also features a noticeable stress break between syllables (primary stress on the first). This word benefits from deliberate practice on the cluster /ɡʃ/ and ensuring both consonants are audible but not exaggerated. A few steady repetitions with a tempo ramp helps embed the two-syllable rhythm.
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Flagship originates from naval terminology: the flagship was the ship from which the fleet’s flag was flown, signifying the admiral’s presence and authority. The term migrated into commerce to denote a company’s leading vessel—the most important ship in a fleet or the main product that represents the brand. The phrase first appeared in English maritime contexts, with early usage dating to the 17th–18th centuries, but it gained broader metaphorical traction in the 19th and 20th centuries as industries adopted ‘flagship’ to describe premier offerings. Over time, flagship became a fixed idiom in business journalism and corporate discourse, signaling leadership, investment priority, and aspirational quality. The word’s evolution reflects a shift from literal fleet navigation to symbolic status within branding and product strategy, where the flagship stands as a beacon intended to attract customers, set standards, and anchor marketing campaigns.
💡 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 "flagship" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "flagship" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "flagship"
-lip sounds
-rip sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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