2 syllables: gif, ted. Stress on gif.
GIF-tuhd
/ˈɡɪftəd/
gifted is pronounced GIF-tuhd (/ˈɡɪftəd/). It has two syllables (gif-ted), with the stress on "gif". gifted is an adjective meaning having exceptional natural ability or talent, or showing intelligence or aptitude beyond what is typical. It can describe people, talents, or skills that stand out, or can refer to an innate capability that is often developed with training. In some contexts it also carries connotations of eligibility for special educational programs.
gifted is an adjective meaning having exceptional natural ability or talent, or showing intelligence or aptitude beyond what is typical. It can describe people, talents, or skills that stand out, or can refer to an innate capability that is often developed with training. In some contexts it also carries connotations of eligibility for special educational programs.
- You’ll often flatten the second syllable's vowel; keep it as a short, lax /ɪ/ but reduce emphasis. - The /t/ is sometimes turned into a flap or dropped; keep a crisp alveolar stop. - End with a voiced /d/, not a quick /t/ or /tɪd/ compressed to /ɪd/; aim for /tɪd/ with voice. - If you habitually add an extra vowel in the first syllable, shorten it to /ɪ/ and avoid lengthening to /iː/. - Practice with a mirror: watch lip closure for /ɡ/ and /f/; feel the air through teeth for /f/; set up for a clean /t/ release.
"She was a gifted pianist who could improvise complex pieces at a very young age."
"The gifted program at the school is designed for students who learn at an accelerated pace."
"He’s considered a gifted storyteller, able to captivate audiences with his words."
Pronounce as two syllables: /ˈɡɪf.tɪd/ in US and UK; Australian pronunciation is similar, often /ˈdʒɪf.tɪd/ in some speakers. Start with a strong initial /ɡ/ followed by a short /ɪ/ vowel, then /f/ from the labiodental position, and finish with a light /tɪd/ with a voiceless release. The primary stress is on the first syllable: GIF-ted.
Common errors: (1) Smoothing the /t/ into a flap or silent release; keep a clear /t/ instead of a quick d-like sound. (2) Replacing /ɪ/ with a schwa in the first syllable; maintain the short /ɪ/ quality. (3) Dropping the final /d/ or not voicing it; end with a light voiced /d/. To correct: practice with minimal pairs like gift/ gifted, and use a finger snap for the /t/ release to build timing.
US/UK/AU share /ˈɡɪf.tɪd/, but rhoticity and vowel quality can shift. US speakers often use a quicker, tighter /ɪ/ and a crisp /t/; UK speakers may slightly reduce the second syllable and exhibit more syllabic clarity on /ɪ/. Australian English often has a lighter /ɡ/ onset in careful speech and may show minor diphthongization differences. Overall, the rhyme stays near /-ɪd/ ending with a clear initial /ɡ/ or /dʒ/ depending on speaker.
Because it packs a persistent cluster and short vowels: the initial /ɡ/ followed by /ɪ/ then /f/ requires precise tongue positioning; the /t/ release must be clean before the final /ɪd/ sequence, which can be rapid in fluent speech. Additionally, some speakers vocalize the /t/ or substitute a flap; maintaining a crisp /t/ and a short /ɪ/ helps clarity.
The contrast between the stressed first syllable and the unstressed second can promote subtle vowel shortening in the second vowel; focus on ensuring /ɪ/ in the first syllable remains distinct while the second /ɪ/ reduces slightly, not becoming a full vowel. The final /d/ should be voiced yet light, preventing a too-dominant ending.
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- US: Rhotic, somewhat tighter vowels; keep /ɡ/ strong; avoid post-alveolar t-glide. - UK: Slightly longer vowel in /ɪ/ before /f/; maintain non-rhoticity; /t/ clearly released. - AU: Similar to US, but with mild vowel centralization in fast speech; ensure /ˈɡɪf.tɪd/ with neutral /ɪ/; listen for a soft, quick /d/. IPA notes: /ˈɡɪf.tɪd/ (US/UK), /ˈdʒɪf.tɪd/ in some AU variants; keep rhoticity: US/RH, UK non-rhotic.
gifted derives from the sense of receiving a gift, rooted in Old English gift (from Proto-Germanic *giftiz) meaning a present or talent. The adjective development surfaces in Middle English as 'gifted' to describe someone endowed with special abilities or qualities, akin to having been given a talent. The sense of being endowed or granted a particular capability expanded over centuries to include intelligence and aptitude in specific domains. Over time, 'gifted' evolved to describe both innate potential and attained excellence, and in modern usage, it often collocates with education (gifted programs), psychological assessment (gifted children), and professional competence (gifted engineers). First known written usage appears in early modern English texts, with the pattern of attributing special endowments to individuals well established by the 17th century; by the 19th and 20th centuries, the term became common in educational psychology and talent identification contexts.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "gifted" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "gifted" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "gifted"
-ted sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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