2 syllables: gly, col. Stress on gly.
GLEYE-kawl
/ˈɡlaɪˌkɔl/
glycol is pronounced GLEYE-kawl (/ˈɡlaɪˌkɔl/). It has two syllables (gly-col), with the stress on "gly". Glycol refers to a type of diol—an organic compound containing two hydroxyl groups—commonly used as a precursor or solvent in chemistry. In everyday technical contexts, it designates ethylene glycol or propylene glycol, among others. The term emphasizes the presence of two alcohol (–OH) groups and a carbon skeleton that typically supports various functional roles in industrial processes.
Glycol refers to a type of diol—an organic compound containing two hydroxyl groups—commonly used as a precursor or solvent in chemistry. In everyday technical contexts, it designates ethylene glycol or propylene glycol, among others. The term emphasizes the presence of two alcohol (–OH) groups and a carbon skeleton that typically supports various functional roles in industrial processes.
- Common phonetic challenges: mispronouncing the /ɡl/ cluster, not releasing the /l/ clearly, or reducing /ɒ/ to schwa in casual speech. - 2-3 practical corrections: - Practice the /ɡl/ cluster in isolation: build a firm onset, release, then glide into /ɒl/. - Use minimal pairs: glycol vs glial, glycaol vs glycol to isolate diphthong vs vowel. - Record yourself saying GLY-gol slowly, then gradually increase speed to maintain clear /ɡ/ and /l/ with a crisp /ɒ/ vowel.
"The glycol solution was heated to initiate the polymerization reaction."
"Ethylene glycol is a common antifreeze component in automotive cooling systems."
"Propylene glycol is valued for its lower toxicity in pharmaceutical and cosmetic applications."
Pronounce as GLY-kol, with two syllables. IPA US/UK/AU: /ˈɡlaɪ.kɒl/. Start with a long
Common mistakes: flattening the vowel to a short /ɪ/ as in 'glil'; misplacing stress or pronouncing it as 'glyphol.' Correct approach is a clear diphthong in the first syllable /ɡlaɪ/ followed by a dark L and /kɒl/. Ensure the /ɡ/ is voiced, not a soft /k/ onset. Maintain two-syllable rhythm: GLY-gol, with slight secondary stress on the first syllable in longer phrases.
In US, 'glycol' typically /ˈɡlaɪ.kɒl/ with rhoticity affecting surrounding vowels minimally; UK and AU share /ˈɡlaɪ.kɒl/ but Australian vowels may be slightly broader in quality. The main differences lie in the vowel quality of the second syllable; Americans may have a slightly more open /ɒ/ or a more rounded /ɔ/ depending on speaker and region. Overall, glycol remains two syllables with primary stress on the first.
The difficulty comes from the quick transition between /ɡ/ and the diphthong /aɪ/ in the first syllable and the dark L in the second syllable, which can blur in fast speech. The two-consonant onset cluster /ɡl/ followed by a rounded back vowel /ɒ/ can be challenging for non-native speakers, and the word's short, closed final syllable /kɒl/ can reduce precision. Focus on separate mouth positions, then blend for speed.
A unique aspect is the tight liaison between the alveolar plosive /ɡ/ and the following liquid /l/ in fluent speech, which can lead to a laryngeal stop release blended with an /l/. Emphasize the hard onset /ɡl/ and maintain a light, controlled tongue tip for the /l/ without nasalization. Keeping the /ɒ/ clear avoids neutralization into /ə/ in casual speech.
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- US: /ˈɡlaɪ.kɒl/ with rhoticity minimal effect; ensure /ɒ/ is open back rounded; - UK: /ˈɡlaɪ.kɒl/ with slightly more backness and a crisper /ɒ/; - AU: /ˈɡlaɪ.kɒl/ often with a broader vowel and slightly drawn-out final consonant. Emphasize non-rhotic tendencies (though glycols aren’t typically r-colored). Vowel quality can shift toward /ɔː/ in some Australian speech. IPA: /ˈɡlaɪ.kɒl/ across variants; keep /ɡ/ strong, /l/ clear, final /ɒl/.”,
Glycol comes from the combining form glyco- from the Greek glykyros meaning sweet, related to glucose and glycoside, with the -ol suffix from alcohols. The term diol indicates two hydroxyl groups. The earliest known use of glycols in chemistry traces to early 19th-century organic chemistry, as scientists investigated polyhydric alcohols and their derivatives for solvent, antifreeze, and polymerization roles. Ethylene glycol was first synthesized in the mid-1800s by reacting ethylene oxide with water, revealing a diol structure essential for many industrial applications. Over time, glycols branching into propylene glycol and other diols broadened the vocabulary of solvents, antifreeze formulations, plastics, and cosmetics. The historical development reflects the shift from simple diols to refined, functionalized molecules used for safety, performance, and environmental considerations in modern chemistry.
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Help others use "glycol" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "glycol" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "glycol" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "glycol"
- ol sounds
-ct) sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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