2 syllables: glam, our. Stress on glam.
GLAM-ur
/ˈɡlæmɚ/
glamour is pronounced GLAM-ur (/ˈɡlæmɚ/). It has two syllables (glam-our), with the stress on "glam". Glamour refers to an alluring attractiveness or charm that often combines elegance, mystery, and a captivating presence. It can describe a person who exudes sophistication or an alluring quality that draws attention. The term carries connotations of cultural prestige and fashionable allure, sometimes with a hint of fantasy or enchantment.
Glamour refers to an alluring attractiveness or charm that often combines elegance, mystery, and a captivating presence. It can describe a person who exudes sophistication or an alluring quality that draws attention. The term carries connotations of cultural prestige and fashionable allure, sometimes with a hint of fantasy or enchantment.
"The actress wore a dress that exuded glamour from every angle."
"The city at night shimmered with glamour and neon lights."
"She used the power of glamour to captivate the audience during her speech."
Glåm-ər (US /ˈɡlæmər/, UK /ˈɡlæmə/, AU /ˈɡlæmə/). The primary stress falls on the first syllable. Start with a short, open front vowel as in 'glad,' then a clear /m/ and a schwa-like final syllable depending on accent. You’ll want the final /ər/ to be a light, non-rhotic schwa-colored ending in US, while UK/AU may maintain a reduced but not fully vocalized ending. Practice by saying GLAM-ər, then soften the final vowel to a muted /ə/ or /ɐ/ depending on locale.
Two common errors: 1) Over-pronouncing the final -our as a full vowel; correct approach is a reduced /ər/ or /ə/. 2) Misplacing the vowel in the first syllable, treating it like 'glay' or 'glam'; the correct is a short lax /æ/ as in 'cat' not a long /eɪ/. Focus on keeping a crisp /æ/ followed by a light /m/ and a quick, soft ending /ər/ or /ə/.
US: /ˈɡlæmər/ with a rhotic ending; final /ɹ/ pronounced clearly in connected speech. UK: /ˈɡlæmə/ with non-rhoticity; /ɹ/ often dropped or weakened, final vowel more centralized. AU: /ˈɡlæmə/ similar to UK but with Australian vowel quality tending to more centralized nucleus; listeners may perceive a slightly broader, less tense /ə/ in the final syllable. Pay attention to rhoticity and how the final vowel shifts toward schwa in non-rhotic accents.
Key challenges: short front lax vowel in the first syllable vs a longer-like diphthong in some illusions; the transition from /æ/ to /m/ to a weak final /ər/ or /ə/ can feel abrupt. The final /ər/ is often reduced in non-rhotic accents, which many learners miss, leading to a clipped ending. Also, the spelling obscures the pronunciation, making it easy to mis-harmonize the syllables. Clinical practice with minimal pairs helps.
The spelling ‘-our’ in glamour may mislead learners into pronouncing the word with a long /oʊ/ or /ɔː/ in some accents. The actual pronunciation uses a short /æ/ for the first vowel and a soft, reduced final /ər/ or /ə/. The contrast between ‘glamour’ and ‘glamorous’ also influences perception—careful attention to the root /glam/ helps keep syllables distinct and natural.
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Glamour comes from Scottish Gaelic glamer meaning ‘spell, enchantment,’ later spelled glamour in English to indicate a magical or captivating appeal. The term spread in Middle English through folklore and theater, where characters were said to have ‘glamour’ that bewitched audiences or participants. Traditionally associated with illusion and spellbinding beauty, the word evolved to emphasize attraction and charm rather than magic alone. By the 19th and 20th centuries, glamour was commonly used in fashion and celebrity journalism to denote polished elegance and seductive appeal, often linked to glamorous lifestyles and high fashion. Its usage has broadened to describe anything that shines with a captivating or aspirational charm, from personalities to brands, while still retaining a sense of allure and prestige.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "glamour" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "glamour" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "glamour"
-our sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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