2 syllables: ge, ary. Stress on ge.
GIR-ee
/ˈɡɪɹi/
geary is pronounced GIR-ee (/ˈɡɪɹi/). It has two syllables (ge-ary), with the stress on "ge". Geary is a proper noun used as a surname and given name in English-speaking regions. It can refer to a family name, a place-derived identifier, or a personal name with historical usage. The term carries no inherent meaning beyond its identity, and its pronunciation may vary slightly by region depending on name origin and user familiarity.
Geary is a proper noun used as a surname and given name in English-speaking regions. It can refer to a family name, a place-derived identifier, or a personal name with historical usage. The term carries no inherent meaning beyond its identity, and its pronunciation may vary slightly by region depending on name origin and user familiarity.
"Geary was the keynote speaker at the conference."
"She traced her Geary lineage back to the early settlers of the town."
"The Geary family donated a new library to the city."
Geary is pronounced with two syllables: /ˈdʒɪ.əri/ in US/UK, with the primary stress on the first syllable (GEH-ree). The initial sound is the voiced postalveolar affricate /dʒ/ as in “journal,” followed by a short /ɪ/ as in “kit,” then a relaxed /ə/ or /ɪ/ vowel in the second syllable, ending with /ri/ approximating “ree.” For clarity, say “GEH-uh-ree,” keeping the first syllable strong. Audio references: you can compare to similar names like Gary and Gerry, noting the extra vowel in the second syllable.
Common errors include reducing it to a single syllable (GEAR-ee) or misplacing the stress as on the second syllable. Another frequent slip is saying /ˈɡaɪ.ri/ or mispronouncing the /dʒ/ as /g/ or /dʒ/ followed by a long /i:/ instead of a short /ɪ/ and schwa. To correct: emphasize the first syllable with /dʒ/ at the onset, use a short, clipped /ɪ/ and a schwa or short /ɚ/ in the second syllable, then finish with /ri/. Practice with the rhythm GE-ree.
In US and UK, the pronunciation centers on /ˈdʒɪ.əri/ with a clearly pronounced first syllable and a light, schwa-like second vowel. In Australian English, you may hear a slightly longer /ɪ/ or a more centralized vowel in the second syllable, giving a more even two-vowel flow: /ˈdʒiə.ɹi/ or /ˈdʒə.ɹi/ depending on speaker. Rhotic cues remain subtle; the ending /i/ tends toward a near-close front vowel. The core is still GE-ree, with small vocalic shifts rather than a wholesale change in consonants.
The challenge lies in the initial /dʒ/ cluster, which mixes a postalveolar fricative and plosive, then transitioning quickly to a short, unstressed second syllable with a reduced vowel. For some, maintaining two distinct syllables without a rapid glide requires careful timing and tongue positioning. Additionally, subtle vowel shifts in different accents can blur the second syllable. Focus on separating GE from ary, with a crisp /dʒ/ onset and a short /ɪ/ plus a clear /ri/ ending.
Geary generally bears primary stress on the first syllable: GE-ary, with a quick, light second syllable. There is no suffix or tonal marker typically altering stress in standard use; however, in rapid speech or in compound names, emphasis can shift slightly when part of a longer name sequence (e.g., Geary family of Geary Street). The pronunciation remains two-syllable with dʒ onset and r-colored final vowel, so maintain the first syllable prominence.
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Geary derives from Gaelic and Norman influences common in British and Irish surname traditions. The given name or surname Geary is often linked to the Irish name Ó Gearáin or the Norman French Geaire, with regional spellings adapting over centuries. In early records, variants such as Gearie, Gearie, or Geary appear in medieval parish registers and land deeds, reflecting anglicization of Gaelic terms. The name commonly circulated in Ireland, Scotland, and England, sometimes tied to occupational or topographical identifiers (such as a person living near a sharp point or an arched feature). As English usage spread, geary solidified as both a surname and given name, maintaining regional pronunciation cues. The first known uses are found in medieval documents, with the spelling stabilizing to Geary in modern times, though pronunciations may differ by locale, particularly between rhotic and non-rhotic accents. The evolution tracks the broader trend of name standardization in the 18th–19th centuries, with genealogical records showing clusters in urban centers and emigration to North America where the name persisted in family lineages and place-names."
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "geary" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "geary" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "geary"
-rry sounds
-iry sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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