2 syllables: gate, ways. Stress on gate.
GAY-twayz
/ˈɡeɪˌtweɪz/
gateways is pronounced GAY-twayz (/ˈɡeɪˌtweɪz/). It has two syllables (gate-ways), with the stress on "gate". Gateways refers to plural forms of a passage or opening that leads to a place, or figuratively, channels or means of access. In networking or systems contexts it denotes entry points or conduits. The term often implies multiple entrances or mediating routes rather than a single door.
Gateways refers to plural forms of a passage or opening that leads to a place, or figuratively, channels or means of access. In networking or systems contexts it denotes entry points or conduits. The term often implies multiple entrances or mediating routes rather than a single door.
"The city’s gateways to the ancient ruins were guarded by stone arches."
"The new VPN gateways provide secure access for remote workers."
"Cultural gateways open opportunities for exchange between communities."
Gateways is pronounced /ˈɡeɪtˌweɪz/ (US/UK/AU share the same core). Primary stress on GATE, secondary stress on WEY. Start with the double-material onset /ɡ/ with a hard g, then /eɪ/ as in 'gate', followed by /t/ and /weɪz/ where /weɪ/ rhymes with 'way' and the final /z/ is a voiced sibilant. Close your jaw slightly for the /eɪ/ diphthong, then release into an /t/ and a clear /w/ onset before /eɪ/ again, ending with a crisp /z/. Audio example: listen to a word like 'gate' + 'ways' spoken together: gate-ways.”
Common mistakes include reducing the second syllable to a weak sound like 'gait-ways' with misplaced stress, or slurring the /t/ making it a flap or ignored, leading to 'gay-tways'. Another frequent error is pronouncing /weɪ/ as a short 'way' and omitting the /z/ at the end. To fix: clearly articulate /t/ before /w/; keep the /eɪ/ in both syllables; end with a voiced /z/ for accuracy. Practice with deliberate, slow enunciation: /ˈɡeɪtˌweɪz/.
In most accents, gateway is /ˈɡeɪtˌɡwɛɪ/ for variants; with plural, /ˈɡeɪtˌweɪz/. US tends to keep a rapid /t/ release and a sharp /z/. UK often preserves a crisper /t/ and slightly stronger /ɡ/ onset, with less vowel reduction in the second syllable. Australian speakers typically maintain the same vowels but may experience a slight vowel shortening in connected speech, leading to a more compact /ˈɡeɪtˌweɪz/ without extra length in the second vowel. IPA references: US /ˈɡeɪtˌweɪz/, UK /ˈɡeɪtˌweɪz/, AU /ˈɡeɪtˌweɪz/.
The difficulty lies in maintaining two accurate diphthongs and the need to link them with a clear /t/ and /w/ sequence, then ending with a voiced /z/. The transition from the alveolar stop /t/ to the bilabial /w/ can be tricky, especially when spoken quickly. Also, the second syllable carries a secondary stress in careful speech, which can be easy to overlook in fluent speech. Practice by isolating /ɡeɪ/ then /tweɪ/ and finally /z/.
A unique aspect is the explicit /t/ release before /w/ in the second syllable, creating a 't-w' cluster that isn’t common in all multi-syllable words. The two successive /eɪ/ sounds require careful vowel control to avoid merging into a long /eɪ/ or a reduced vowel. Additionally, the final /z/ is voiced, which can be devoiced in rapid speech. Emphasizing the /t/ and /z/ clearly will help correctness.
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Gateways originates from the combination of gate, dating from Old English geat, and way, from Old English weg. 'Gate' derives from Proto-Germanic *gaþaną, related to doors and gates across West Germanic languages, while 'way' comes from Proto-Germanic *wegaz, meaning road or path. The compound gateway appears in Middle English as a literal doorway or gate leading to a path or road, and over time broadened to mean figurative entry points or channels. By the 19th and 20th centuries, gateway began to symbolize not just physical openings but also gateways of opportunity, information, and access in technology and culture. The plural form gateways signals multiple openings or pathways, and later uses in networking literature popularized multi-entry points or interfaces into a system or network.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "gateways" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "gateways" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "gateways"
-ays sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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