2 syllables: glo, ry. Stress on glo.
GLAW-ree
/ˈɡlɔɹi/
glory is pronounced GLAW-ree (/ˈɡlɔɹi/). It has two syllables (glo-ry), with the stress on "glo". Glory denotes high renown or magnificence, often connected with achievements, splendor, or divine praise. It can refer to the public admiration won by notable deeds or to a radiance and beauty that seems transcendent. In speech, it carries a bright, tense vowel onset and a lightly stressed final syllable, giving a lofty, expansive sound.
Glory denotes high renown or magnificence, often connected with achievements, splendor, or divine praise. It can refer to the public admiration won by notable deeds or to a radiance and beauty that seems transcendent. In speech, it carries a bright, tense vowel onset and a lightly stressed final syllable, giving a lofty, expansive sound.
"The victory brought her family immense glory."
"Ancient temples glowed with the glory of their marble columns."
"In their speeches, the mayor spoke of civic glory and shared ambition."
Glory is pronounced with two syllables: /ˈɡlɔːr.i/ in US and UK common pronunciation. The primary stress falls on the first syllable: GLOR-. Start with a hard /ɡ/ followed by a dark /l/ with the tongue contacting the alveolar ridge. The vowel in the first syllable is an open-mid back /ɔː/ (long “aw” sound). The second syllable is a reduced /i/ or /i/ as in “ee.” Ensure the final /-y/ is a light, quick vowel. Audio reference: you can compare with “glory” on pronunciation resources or Cambridge/Forvo.”,
Common errors include flattening the first vowel to a short /ɒ/ or /ɑ/ and truncating the second syllable, as in /ˈɡlɒr/ or /ˈɡlɔː/. The correct form keeps the first syllable with /ɔː/ and the second syllable as a light /i/ or /iː/. Another mistake is releasing the final /j/ as a consonant instead of a short, softened vowel; keep a quick glide into the final brief /i/. Practice by isolating the two vowels and ensuring proper mouth positions: rounded lips for /ɔː/ and a relaxed jaw for /i/.”,
In US English, /ˈɡlɔːr.i/ with a rhotic /r/ pronounced before the vowel; the vowel /ɔː/ is broad, and the final /i/ is light. UK English often retains a clear, long /ɔː/ with non-rhoticity in certain accents, so the /r/ may be less pronounced or silent in some dialects; the syllables remain two but with a crisper, slightly shorter final /i/. Australian English typically has a broad /ɔː/ and a clear /i/; the /r/ is usually non-rhotic, so the final /r/ is not pronounced unless followed by a vowel. Overall, the rhyme and rhythm align closely, but rhoticity and vowel length differ.”,
The difficulty lies in balancing the two-syllable rhythm while preserving the long, rounded /ɔː/ in the first syllable and a quick, unstressed /i/ in the second. Some speakers add extra vowel length or reduce the first vowel too much, turning /ɔː/ into /ɒ/ or /ɑ/. The r-controlled effect in rhotic accents changes the perceived vowel quality before the /r/. Additionally, the transition between the heavy first syllable and light second syllable can lead to a clipped or mis-timed -ry ending. Focus on the soft, quick /i/ glide after the /ɡlɔːr/.”,
Glory uniquely requires holding a rounded, back vowel /ɔː/ before an /r/ in many accents, then quickly moving to a short /i/. The syllable boundary between /ˈɡlɔːr/ and /i/ makes the word two distinct vocal gestures; learners often coalesce it into a single vowel or merge it with a vowel like /ɪ/ in ‘glory’ as in some dialects. The rhotics feature in US English makes the /r/ more audible, while in non-rhotic accents it is softer or absent before a following vowel. Practicing the exact two-syllable rhythm ensures clarity across contexts.
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Glory comes from the Latin gloria, meaning praise or renown. This Latin term likely derives from the verb glorificare, meaning to praise or extol. Early Latin usage carried religious and ceremonial overtones, referring to the splendor of divine beings and the praise due to them. Through Old French, glory became gloria in medieval texts, retaining both the sense of honor and public esteem, as well as the aura of radiant brightness. By the Middle Ages, the term extended to describe heroic achievement and the splendor surrounding majesty or nobility. In modern English, glory often conveys public recognition, extraordinary beauty, or the awe-inspiring magnificence of something grand, while still maintaining ties to praise and reverence. The word’s semantic field broadened to include secular admiration and the abstract notion of radiance, producing phrases like “glory days” and “glory be.” First known use in English appears in medieval manuscripts, with clear ties to religious liturgy and chivalric chivalry traditions, reflecting both awe and honor as central to the concept of glory.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "glory" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "glory"
-ory sounds
-ic) sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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