2 syllables: gra, dy. Stress on gra.
GRAY-dee
/ˈɡɹeɪdi/
grady is pronounced GRAY-dee (/ˈɡɹeɪdi/). It has two syllables (gra-dy), with the stress on "gra". Grady is a proper noun (often a surname or given name) used to identify a person or place. In broader usage it may refer to individuals named Grady, or as an attributive in titles. The term itself has no intrinsic lexical meaning beyond its identitary function.
Grady is a proper noun (often a surname or given name) used to identify a person or place. In broader usage it may refer to individuals named Grady, or as an attributive in titles. The term itself has no intrinsic lexical meaning beyond its identitary function.
- You might pronounce Grady as one syllable: focus on keeping two distinct syllables with clear /ɡreɪ/ + /di/. - A common error is softening /d/ to a quick /ɾ/; instead, articulate a crisp alveolar stop /d/ followed by the /i/ vowel. - Some speakers merge the first syllable into the second, saying /ˈɡreɪdi/ without stress; always stress the first syllable. - Do not replace /ɡ/ with /ʒ/ or /z/ due to familiarity with other words; keep a strong /ɡ/ release. - Ensure the final /i/ is not reduced to a schwa; maintain a tense, clear /iː/ or /i/ sound.
"Grady invited us to his barbecue next Saturday."
"The Grady family owns the corner shop on Main Street."
"We watched a documentary about Grady, the renowned 19th-century journalist."
Grady is pronounced with two syllables: /ˈɡreɪ.di/. The first syllable has a stressed long ‘a’ as in 'grace', the second is a short 'ee' vowel. Start with a clear /ɡ/ build, then a long /reɪ/ sequence, ending with /di/. IPA: US/UK/AU: /ˈɡreɪ.di/. Practice saying: 'GRAH-dee' with even stress and a crisp d.
Common errors include reducing the second syllable to a schwa (/'grədi/), softening the /d/ to a tapped or flapped sound, or truncating to a single syllable (greadi). To correct: ensure primary stress on the first syllable /ˈɡreɪ/ and pronounce the second syllable as /di/ with a full alveolar stop. Keep the /ɡ/ release strong, avoid substituting /v/ or /w/ for /d/, and avoid rushing the /i/ vowel.
Across US/UK/AU, the core is /ˈɡreɪ.di/. In rhotic US, the /ɹ/ onset is pronounced; UK and AU share rhotic tendencies in most dialects but may feature subtle vowel quality shifts: US often has a clearer fronted /eɪ/; UK may have a slightly tighter /eɪ/ diphthong; AU can exhibit a broader, more centralized /eɪ/ and quicker vowel transitions. Overall, stress remains on the first syllable; the final /i/ is a tense, crisp /i/ in all three variants.
The difficulty is twofold: first, the initial cluster /ɡr/ requires a quick release from the back of the mouth into a smooth /reɪ/ vowel; second, maintaining crisp final /di/ without devoicing or slurring the /i/. People often slide into /ɡreɪd/ or merge the second syllable with the first. Focus on a clear /ɡ/ release, stable /reɪ/ glide, and a final crisp /di/ with steady tongue position.
In some contexts, especially rapid speech or certain regional accents, you may hear a reduced or clipped final /i/ as /ɪ/ or even a light /iː/. To maintain clarity, keep the final /i/ lengthened and release the tongue from the alveolar ridge cleanly: /ˈɡreɪ.di/ with full vowel height and articulation.
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- US: Rhotic, clearer /ɹ/ onset; keep first syllable with a full /eɪ/ diphthong and a crisp /d/. - UK: Slightly tighter front vowels, /ɡreɪ.di/ with less vowel length and a more clipped /i/. - AU: Slightly broader diphthong in /eɪ/ and a more relaxed /i/; keep the ending steady and not elongated. - Use IPA: /ˈɡreɪ.di/ across accents; ensure the final vowel maintains height and avoid centralization.
Grady is a proper name of Irish and Scottish origin, often considered a derivative of the given name Gregory or an Anglicized version linked to the surname Ó Gráda, later Grady. The root elements commonly cited include Gaelic o’ Gráda, historically associated with “noble” or “illustrious.” Over time, Grady became widely used in English-speaking regions as a patronymic surname and later as a given name or nickname. In the United States, it was popularized through immigration, military, and media usage, with early mentions appearing in 18th- and 19th-century records. The pronunciation shifts through the centuries reflect general English adaptation of Gaelic phonology, including the softening of certain consonants and vowel changes in anglicization processes. By the 20th century, Grady had become a recognizable surname borne by notable individuals, and more recently by fictional characters and academic institutions, preserving the name’s cultural resonance as a personal identifier rather than a common noun.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "grady" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "grady"
-ady sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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