One syllable: graph.
graf
/ɡɹæf/
graph is pronounced graf (/ɡɹæf/). It has one syllable (graph), with the stress on "graph". Graph is a short, single-syllable noun or verb referring to a diagram or plotted data, typically pronounced with a hard g followed by a short a and f sound. It conveys information visually or to chart relationships, trends, or connections. In technical writing, it often introduces data representations, figures, or mathematical graphs.
Graph is a short, single-syllable noun or verb referring to a diagram or plotted data, typically pronounced with a hard g followed by a short a and f sound. It conveys information visually or to chart relationships, trends, or connections. In technical writing, it often introduces data representations, figures, or mathematical graphs.
"- The graph shows a steady increase in revenue over the quarter."
"- Please graph these data points on the chart for clarity."
"- In biology, a graph can illustrate the relationship between variables."
You pronounce it as /ɡræf/. Start with the hard voiced stop /ɡ/ in ‘go,’ then a short open front vowel /æ/ as in ‘cat,’ and finish with the voiceless labiodental fricative /f/ as in ‘fine.’ The stress is on the single syllable, so there’s no secondary stress. Tip: keep the /æ/ short and avoid turning it into /eɪ/ or a lax /ə/.
Common errors include turning the /æ/ into a more British-like /ɑː/ or elongating the vowel to /eɪ/ as in ‘grape.’ Another mistake is voicing the final /f/ too strongly, producing a /v/ or a prolonged waver. To correct: keep the vowel short and precise (/æ/), ensure the /f/ is a clean, unvoiced labiodental fricative, and stop the glide right after the /æ/ before the /f/.
In US, UK, and AU, the onset /ɡ/ and vowel /æ/ are similar, with the final /f/ consistent; differences are subtle: non-rhotic tendencies in some UK accents can influence surrounding vowel color but not the core /ɡræf/. Australian English tends to be a flatter vowel in surrounding sounds, but /æ/ remains near /æ/. Overall, the word remains rhotic and stable across these varieties, with minimal vowel shifts outside of adjacent syllables.
The challenge lies in articulating a crisp /ɡ/ onset immediately followed by the short /æ/ vowel, then a sharp unvoiced /f/ without vowel closure or voicing bleed. The tensed onset and rapid closure of the /æ/ to /f/ sequence can invite vowel length errors or slurred transitions. Focusing on a clean bugle-like /ɡ/ onset, a clipped /æ/, and a precise final /f/ helps avoid common issues such as sounding like /ɡræf/ with a soft f or blending into /ɡræp/.
The spelling 'graph' might tempt non-native speakers to overemphasize the 'ph' sound as /f/ in some languages, or insert a schwa after /æ/. The correct mapping is one consonant cluster /ɡ/ + /ræ/ + /f/. Pronounce it as a closed, single syllable: /ɡræf/. Be mindful not to insert an extra vowel or pause in the middle.
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Graph comes from the Greek word graphēn, meaning "to write" or "to draw," via the Late Latin grapha and Old French graphe, all rooted in Greek graphein. The root grap- signifies writing, describing, or drawing. In English, the term broadened from general writing to a visual representation of data, a sense that emerged in scientific and mathematical discourse. Early uses tied to the act of writing or inscribing marks, but by the 17th–18th centuries, graph began to denote plotted representations of quantities, especially in geography, astronomy, and mathematics. The word’s evolution reflects the shift from mere inscription to structured data visualization, leading to modern senses as a discrete diagram or chart. First known uses appear in scholarly and technical writings as a term for plotted representations, with the modern sense solidifying in the 19th and 20th centuries alongside statistical science and graph theory.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "graph" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "graph" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "graph" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "graph"
-alf sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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