3 syllables: Gro, cer, y. Stress on Gro.
GROH-sur-ee
/ˈɡɹoʊsɚi/
Grocery is pronounced GROH-sur-ee (/ˈɡɹoʊsɚi/). It has three syllables (Gro-cer-y), with the stress on "Gro". Grocery is a noun referring to a store or section of a store where food and household supplies are sold. It can also denote the items purchased there. The term emphasizes everyday, routinely bought consumables and typically appears in contexts about shopping, errands, or food preparation.
nounGrocery is a noun referring to a store or section of a store where food and household supplies are sold. It can also denote the items purchased there. The term emphasizes everyday, routinely bought consumables and typically appears in contexts about shopping, errands, or food preparation.
How to Pronounce Grocery
"I need to run to the grocery after work to grab milk and bread."
"The weekly grocery trip usually takes longer than I expect."
"She forgot to buy coffee at the grocery, so she stopped by the deli next door."
Grocery is pronounced with three syllables: /ˈɡroʊ.sə.ri/. The primary stress is on the first syllable: GRO- suh-ree. Start with the /ɡ/ stop, then /roʊ/ as in 'go' with a long o. The middle /sə/ uses a short schwa, and the final /ri/ rhymes with 'tree' without the initial consonant blend. Tip: keep the middle vowel relaxed, and avoid tensing the jaw on /ri/.
Two common errors are compressing it to two syllables (GRO-ree) and misplacing the stress (you might say /ˈɡroʊɡ.ɹi/). Correct by ensuring the middle /sə/ is clearly a weak syllable and the final /ri/ has a distinct /ɹ/ plus /i/. Practice saying GRO-sə-ree slowly, then accelerate while maintaining the vowel quality of /roʊ/.
In US English, /ˈɡroʊ.sə.ɹi/ with rhotic /ɹ/ and a clear /roʊ/. UK English often renders as /ˈɡrəʊ.sə.ri/ with a more non-rhotic /r/ and a longer /əʊ/; the final /i/ tends to be a clearer /iː/ in some regions. Australian English follows US-influenced rhotics but may feature a slightly more centralized /ə/ in the second syllable and a shortened final /i/. Overall, US emphasizes the first syllable most, UK emphasizes the second vowel slightly more, and AU sits between with a subtle vowel shift.
The difficulty lies in the multi-syllabic rhythm and the weak middle syllable. The /roʊ/ onset followed by a reduced /sə/ can cause syllable-timing confusion, especially for learners used to two-syllable words. Additionally, the final /ri/ can be misarticulated as /riː/ or /ri/ without the proper /ɹ/ onset. Focus on the three distinct syllables, keep the middle vowel relaxed (schwa), and ensure clear /ɹ/ and /i/.
A distinctive feature is the schwa in the middle syllable /sə/. Many speakers reduce vowels in fast speech, which can blur /sə/ into /sɚ/ or drop it. Maintaining a crisp /sə/ helps preserve the word’s rhythm and makes the 'groh' onset clearly heard. Also, ensure the /ɹ/ in the final syllable is a true approximant rather than a flap or trill. In IPA: /ˈɡroʊ.sə.ɹi/.
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Grocery originates from the Old French word grossier, meaning wholesaler or retailer, linked to gros (large) and ultimately from Latin grossus. In Middle English, grocer referred to a wholesaler who sold in large quantities, with the sense evolving to a retailer selling food and provisions in smaller quantities. The term gained standard spellings and pronunciations over centuries, around the 14th to 16th centuries, aligning with the rise of organized markets and the modern concept of a grocery store. The pronunciation shift toward the two-syllable form with the stress on the first syllable reflects the historical branching from 'grocer' (the vendor) to 'grocery' (the place or the goods). First known uses appear in medieval English texts describing merchants dealing in goods, with the present sense solidifying by the 18th century as retail stores specialized in edible provisions became commonplace in English-speaking regions.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "Grocery" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "Grocery" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Grocery" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Grocery"
-ory sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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