2 syllables: glim, pses. Stress on glim.
GLIMP-siz
/ˈɡlɪmpsɪz/
glimpses is pronounced GLIMP-siz (/ˈɡlɪmpsɪz/). It has two syllables (glim-pses), with the stress on "glim". Glimpses refers to brief or partial looks or recognitions of something not fully seen or understood. The plural form often denotes multiple quick glimpses. In usage, it can describe fleeting views, faint insights, or small, partial recognitions in various contexts, from visual appearances to moments of understanding.
Glimpses refers to brief or partial looks or recognitions of something not fully seen or understood. The plural form often denotes multiple quick glimpses. In usage, it can describe fleeting views, faint insights, or small, partial recognitions in various contexts, from visual appearances to moments of understanding.
- Under-pronouncing the /m/ or exaggerating it, leading to a weak onset; fix by driving the lip closure for /m/ then a sharp move into /p/ without vowel separation. - Slurring the /mps/ cluster into /mp/ or /m/ only; train with rapid, two-part timing: /m/ release into /ps/ cleanly. - Final /z/ voicing confusion; ensure you voice /z/ clearly after a short /ɪ/; practice with endings like -s as /z/ in words like buses to feel voicing. - Often misplacing stress: keep the primary stress on GLIM-; avoid spreading stress across syllables. - Difficulty with short /ɪ/ in fast speech; practice with short vowel drills.
"In the dense forest, she caught glimpses of deer between the trees."
"The documentary offers glimpses into the artist's early life."
"Even a few glimpses of the plan helped the team adjust."
Pronounce as /ˈɡlɪmpsɪz/. The first syllable is stressed: GLIM, with a short i as in kit. The middle consonant cluster is /mps/; lips close to produce the /m/ then quickly release into /ps/. The final /ɪz/ sounds like -iz. Mouth positions: lips closed for /m/, then instant closure to form /p/ with a burst into /s/ before the voiced /ɪz/. IPA: US /ˈɡlɪmpsɪz/, UK /ˈɡlɪmpsɪz/, AU /ˈɡlɪmpsɪz/.
Two common errors: (1) Over-emphasizing or delaying the /m/ across the /mps/ cluster, giving a drawn-out /m/ or /mp/; instead keep a rapid transition from /m/ to /ps/ without a full vowel between. (2) Voicing mistake in the final /z/; many learners use /s/ or /z/ inconsistently. Aim for a short, soft /z/ after the /ɪ/. Practicing with minimal pairs like glimpses vs glimses and focusing on the /mp/ cluster helps correct. Remember to keep the primary stress on GLIM- and end with a voiced /z/.
US/UK/AU share /ˈɡlɪmpsɪz/ as the base, with small differences: US tends to a slightly sharper /ɪ/ and crisper /z/. UK often features non-rhotic tendencies in some speakers, but /ˈɡlɪmpsɪz/ remains common; rhoticity affects only following vowels, not this word. Australian English is similar to UK but with broader vowels; some speakers may have a more centralized /ɪ/ and a softer /z/. In all, the cluster /mps/ stays intact; the key is keeping a quick, uninterrupted transition from /m/ to /p/ to /s/.
The difficulty lies in the consonant cluster /mps/ after a stressed syllable and the final /z/ voiced fricative, which can be tricky for learners who typically avoid abrupt consonant sequences or who mix up voicing in final consonants. Also, the short /ɪ/ before /z/ requires precise vowel quality. Ensuring fast but clean articulation of /m-ps/ without inserting a vowel helps readers keep the word natural-sounding.
In glimpses, there is no silent letter related to the core pronunciation; the spelling reflects the /ps/ cluster after /m/. The sequence /mps/ is pronounced as m followed quickly by p and s, and the final -es is realized as /ɪz/. The 'e' in the plural ending contributes to the /ɪz/ sound when the word is pluralized, but the base cluster stays intact. In short, pronounce the /ɪz/ end and keep the /mps/ flow.
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- US: keep rhoticity and a crisp /ɪ/; mouth relatively relaxed; /ˈɡlɪmpsɪz/. - UK: maintain non-rhotic tendencies; ensure /ɪ/ is crisp, not reduced; /ˈɡlɪmpsɪz/. - AU: broader vowels; /ˈɡlɪmpsɪz/ with a slightly more centralized /ɪ/; watch vowel width and final z as /z/. In all, emphasize the /mps/ cluster and the final /ɪz/; keep the chord tight.
Glimpses comes from the verb glimpse, meaning a brief or partial look. The noun form appeared in English in the 18th century and likely derives from an older Germanic or Norse ancestor associated with catching sight or glinting. The root element is connected to the sense of a small flash or a momentary appearance, rather than a full view. The term evolved from general “look” or “view” concepts, emphasizing speed and partial perception. Early uses often described fleeting visions or partial understandings; over time, it broadened to include figurative glimpses into ideas or situations. By the 19th and 20th centuries, glimpses became common in literature and journalism to convey brief, tantalizing insights, not complete pictures. The double plural form signals repetition or multiple fleeting looks, reinforcing the sense of transience and partial knowledge.
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Words that rhyme with "glimpses"
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