2 syllables: Grind, stones. Stress on Grind.
GREYEND-stohnz
/ˈɡɹaɪndstoʊnz/
Grindstones is pronounced GREYEND-stohnz (/ˈɡɹaɪndstoʊnz/). It has two syllables (Grind-stones), with the stress on "Grind". Grindstones are circular or trough-shaped hard stones used for sharpening blades by grinding them against their rough surface. They can be standalone wheels or embedded in machinery; historically, they powered whetstones for edge tools. In modern usage, the term often evokes traditional workshops and the craft of sharpening blades to a keen edge.
nounGrindstones are circular or trough-shaped hard stones used for sharpening blades by grinding them against their rough surface. They can be standalone wheels or embedded in machinery; historically, they powered whetstones for edge tools. In modern usage, the term often evokes traditional workshops and the craft of sharpening blades to a keen edge.
How to Pronounce Grindstones
"The blacksmith set up two grindstones to restore the razor’s edge before the tournament."
"Old mills sometimes had grindstones turned by a rotating shaft powered by a water wheel."
"She collected antique grindstones as part of her metalworking museum exhibits."
Grindstones is pronounced /ˈɡraɪndˌstoʊnz/ in US and /ˈɡraɪndˌstəʊnz/ in UK. The primary stress is on the first syllable 'GRYND', with a secondary stress on the 'stone' part in natural cadence. Start with the /ɡr/ cluster, then /aɪ/ as in 'fly', followed by /nd/ and a light /s/ before the /toʊnz/ or /stəʊnz/ ending. Listen for a clear separation between the two morphemes grind- and -stones, with the final /nz/ cluster crisp but not elongated.
Common mistakes include reducing the /aɪ/ to a lax /ɪ/ as in 'grind-stones' with a weak diphthong, and misplacing stress by saying 'GRIND-stones' with two equal beats instead of a stronger first syllable, or blending /st/ into /s/ making 'grindstone- z' sound awkward. Correct by maintaining a clear /aɪ/ in the first syllable, separating the morphemes with a brief consonant break, and pronouncing the final /nz/ crisply. Practice with a slow pace, then accelerate while keeping the first syllable prominent.
In US English, /ˈɡraɪndˌstoʊnz/ features a rhotic, with the final 'o' as /oʊ/ and a clear /nz/ ending. UK English uses /ˈɡraɪndˌstəʊnz/ with a less pronounced rhotics and a lighter second syllable; the 'stone' part sounds closer to /stəʊnz/. Australian English typically mirrors UK with a non-rhotic tendency and a long /oʊ/ or /əʊ/ in the second syllable, depending on speaker, so you may hear /ˈɡɹaɪndˌstəʊnz/.
The difficulty centers on the two-morpheme word boundary and the final consonant cluster /nz/. The /aɪ/ diphthong in 'grind' must stay distinct from the /oʊ/ or /əʊ/ in 'stones', and you should avoid smoothing the boundary so the plural ending /z/ or /nz/ sounds merge with the preceding /n/. Also, some speakers blend the /nd/ with the following /st/ in rapid speech, which can blur syllable boundaries.
Think of it as two clear chunks: /ˈɡraɪnd/ and /stoʊnz/ (US) or /stəʊnz/ (UK/AU). Emphasize the /aɪ/ in the first chunk, then add a short, almost clipped /n/ to separate the two morphemes before the /st/ cluster begins. Visualize a light pause between 'grind' and 'stones'—not a full pause, but enough to maintain the two sounds distinct. Recording yourself helps confirm your internal rhythm and stress.
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Grindstone derives from the combination of grind, meaning to rub or rub down, from Old English grindan, and stone, from Old English stan. The term first appeared in Middle English as grindstoon or grindstane, referring to a stone for grinding or sharpening. These stones were essential in pre-industrial tool maintenance, often fashioned from durable metamorphic rocks or quartz-rich materials. In the Industrial Revolution, grindstones became larger, sometimes powered by wheels or water, enabling continuous grinding in mills and workshops. The word grindstone has retained its literal meaning while also taking on figurative senses in some idioms (e.g., grinding away at tasks) that reflect sustained, repetitive effort. First known written usage traces to early Middle English texts, with the concept documented in artisan manuals of sharpening and metalwork. Over time, the plural grindstones refers specifically to more than one such tool, commonly used in both artisanal and manufacturing contexts. The term’s evolution mirrors changes in sharpening technology, from simple handheld stones to mechanized grinding systems, while preserving the core image of a hard stone surface used to create a keen edge on metal implements.
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Words that rhyme with "Grindstones"
-nes sounds
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