2 syllables: frin, ges. Stress on frin.
FRIN-jiz
/ˈfɹɪndʒɪz/
fringes is pronounced FRIN-jiz (/ˈfɹɪndʒɪz/). It has two syllables (frin-ges), with the stress on "frin". Fringes refers to the outer edges or borders of something, or decorative threads hung along a hem or edge. It can also describe the outermost parts or margin of a group, region, or situation. The term often conveys a sense of boundary, fringe elements, or the decorative fringe itself, depending on context. (2-4 sentences; 50-80 words).
Fringes refers to the outer edges or borders of something, or decorative threads hung along a hem or edge. It can also describe the outermost parts or margin of a group, region, or situation. The term often conveys a sense of boundary, fringe elements, or the decorative fringe itself, depending on context. (2-4 sentences; 50-80 words)
"The curtains have pretty white fringes along the bottom hem."
"In fashion, she wore a shawl with long fringes that swayed as she moved."
"He lived on the fringes of the city, near the old industrial district."
/frɪn.d͡ʒɪz/ in US, UK, and AU IPA. The stress is on the first syllable: FRING-es. Start with /fr/ + /ɪ/ (short i as in sin), then /n/ then /d͡ʒ/ as in “judge” for the “j” sound, followed by /ɪ/ and /z/. Tip: keep the /d͡ʒ/ cluster light and the final /z/voiced.
Common errors: treating the /d͡ʒ/ as a separate rapid /j/ or /d͡ʒ/ as a simple /j/ consonant; pronouncing the final /ɪz/ as /iːz/ or /ɪs/. Correction: keep the /d͡ʒ/ as one affricate [d͡ʒ], followed quickly by the unstressed /ɪ/ and voiced /z/. Don’t reduce the first syllable; ensure /fr/ blends without a prolonged vowel, and avoid voicing errors on the final consonant.
In US, UK, and AU, the initial /fr/ cluster and the /d͡ʒ/ are consistent; differences are mainly vowel quality and rhoticity. US and AU rhotics pronounce the /r/? actually /frɪn.d͡ʒɪz/ has no /r/ in the cluster, but Americans maintain an r-colored accent after pre vocalic contexts; focus is on the /ɪ/ vowel quality. UK tends to a slightly lighter /ɪ/ and crisper /d͡ʒ/; AU may have tighter lip rounding and more centralized /ɪ/. Overall, the word is non-rhotic in UK English; the primary variance is vowel height/quality.
The main challenge is the affricate /d͡ʒ/ blending with a short /ɪ/ followed by a voiced /z/. Beginners often separate /d/ and /͡ʒ/ or mispronounce the final /z/. Also, the /ɪ/ in the second syllable is unstressed, which can lead to a reduced vowel. Practice by isolating the /n/ + /d͡ʒ/ sequence and then glide into /ɪz/. Ensure the tongue tip lightly contacts the alveolar ridge for /d͡ʒ/ and avoid excess aspiration.
This word hinges on the /d͡ʒ/ sound right after /n/. A practical tip: say ‘frin’ with a short, crisp /ɪ/ then smoothly release into /d͡ʒ/ without an audible pause, ending in a soft /z/. Visualize the mouth closing slightly after /n/ to form the affricate; keep the tongue high for /ɪ/ and relax the jaw for the /z/.
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US: rhotic, mild r-coloring can affect preceding vowels; UK: more clipped vowel in /ɪ/; AU: tends to higher tongue position and slightly more centralized /ɪ/. Vowel length not critical here; keep /ɪ/ short and crisp; maintain a flat jaw and forward tongue posture for clear /fr/ cluster. IPA references: /frɪn.d͡ʒɪz/ with consistent /ɪ/ in both syllables.
Fringes comes from the Old English frēong (edge, border) via the late Old English innanfræong?; the modern form fring(e) reflects a Germanic root related to fringian, meaning to fence or separate. In Middle English, fringe described decorative tassels added to clothing or textiles, deriving from practical fringe treatments used to finish fabric edges. Over time, the sense broadened from a textile feature to the general notion of an outer edge or margin. The plural fringes arose as a natural extension when multiple decorative edges or border areas were discussed, especially in textiles and fashion. First known uses appear in 15th-16th century English texts describing borders or tassels on garments, with later, broader usage in political and social contexts to refer to the peripheral or marginal groups associated with a movement or region. Overall, fringe retains both its literal edge meaning and its figurative sense of periphery.”,
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "fringes" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "fringes"
-ngs sounds
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