One syllable: Gage.
gayj
/ɡeɪdʒ/
Gage is pronounced gayj (/ɡeɪdʒ/). It has one syllable (Gage), with the stress on "Gage". Gage is a noun meaning a measure or standard used to judge something, often a challenge or standard of performance. It can also refer to a pledge or assurance, and in some contexts, a tangible instrument or device marking a level. The term implies assessment, comparison, and stakes, typically in professional or evaluative settings.
nounGage is a noun meaning a measure or standard used to judge something, often a challenge or standard of performance. It can also refer to a pledge or assurance, and in some contexts, a tangible instrument or device marking a level. The term implies assessment, comparison, and stakes, typically in professional or evaluative settings.
Correction tips: - Do a /d/ then a tight /ʒ/ release: write the tongue to finish the /d/ with the blade close to the ridge, then push air to voice /ʒ/. - Shadow words with identical endings (page, cage) to feel final /dʒ/ closure. - Record yourself and compare with a native speaker saying /ɡeɪdʒ/; adjust for a crisp end sound.
How to Pronounce Gage
"The company set a strict performance gage for quarterly results."
"They installed a new pressure gage to monitor the system."
"Her payment was kept as a security gage until the loan was repaid."
Pronounce it as /ɡeɪdʒ/, rhyming with 'page' and 'stage'. The initial sound is a voiced velar plosive /g/, followed by the diphthong /eɪ/ as in 'cake', and ending with /dʒ/ like in 'judge'. The stress is on the single syllable, and your jaw relaxes after the /eɪ/ vowel, finishing with a light /dʒ/. Audio reference: approximate: https://forvo.com/word/gage/
Common errors include pronouncing it as /ɡeɡ/ or /geɡ/ by stopping the airflow too early, and confusing it with /ɡeɪd/ (gait). Some speakers misplace the final consonant, producing /dʒ/ as a softer /ʒ/. To correct, ensure you release a clear /dʒ/ at the end, with a brief closure of the vocal cords between /eɪ/ and /dʒ/. Practice minimal pair: /ɡeɪdʒ/ vs /ɡeɡ/; notice the final affricate.
In US/UK/AU, /ɡeɪdʒ/ is broadly consistent; rhoticity does not alter the final /dʒ/. The main variation is vowel length and the onset of surrounding intonation. Australians may display a slightly more centralized vowel quality in the /eɪ/ diphthong, but it remains /eɪ/. Your mouth position should emphasize the diphthong’s start at /e/ and glide toward /ɪ/ before the /dʒ/ closure, with minimal lag in all accents.
The challenge comes from the final /dʒ/ affricate after a strong /eɪ/ diphthong; many learners merge the ending with a simple /j/ or /z/ sound. Maintaining crisp closure for /d/ followed immediately by /ʒ/ requires precise tongue blade contact and airflow. Also, avoiding a drawn-out vowel before the final consonant helps keep the word compact and native-like.
Gage ends with an affricate /dʒ/, not a simple /j/ or /z/ sound, so ensure a quick, complete release from the /d/ into /ʒ/. The preceding /eɪ/ is a diphthong that starts at a mid-front /e/ and moves to a near-high /ɪ/. The sequence is a single, tight gesture with a brief vowel peak before the final consonant.
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Gage derives from the Old French gue, gage, meaning pledge or guarantee, with further ties to the Frankish *wagjan* meaning to pledge or vow. In Middle English, the word evolved to denote a security or pledge, as in a tangible thing offered as collateral. Over time, gage broadened to mean a standard of measurement or criterion by which something is judged, aligning with its sense of a benchmark or pledge of quality. The term entered Anglo-French and later English legal and commercial vocabulary, frequently appearing in context of bonds, pledges, and guarantees, before expanding into general use as a formal measure or standard. First known uses appear in medieval records, where gage signified a pledge or a value set to secure obligations. In modern usage, gage retained its evaluative connotation, especially in technical, legal, and managerial domains, even as it occasionally appears in informal speech to suggest a rough benchmark rather than a binding measure.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "Gage" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "Gage" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Gage" 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 "Gage"
-age 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.
