3 syllables: guar, an, tees. Stress on tees.
ger-uhn-TEEZ
/ˌɡɛɹəˈntiz/
guarantees is pronounced ger-uhn-TEEZ (/ˌɡɛɹəˈntiz/). It has three syllables (guar-an-tees), with the stress on "tees". Guarantees is the plural noun or verb form of guarantee, meaning firm assurances that something will occur or be done, or the acts of providing such assurances. In usage, it often conveys a formal promise or warranty, with nuanced emphasis on certainty. As a verb, it’s third-person singular present tense: he guarantees; as a noun, plural: guarantees.
Guarantees is the plural noun or verb form of guarantee, meaning firm assurances that something will occur or be done, or the acts of providing such assurances. In usage, it often conveys a formal promise or warranty, with nuanced emphasis on certainty. As a verb, it’s third-person singular present tense: he guarantees; as a noun, plural: guarantees.
"The new product comes with three guarantees and a full warranty."
"The contract guarantees that delivery will be made by Friday."
"Sellers should guarantee the authenticity of their goods to build trust."
Pronounce as /ɡær.ənˈtiːz/ (US/UK more commonly /ˌɡær.ənˈtiːz/ in some non-stress patterns). The primary stress falls on the second syllable: gar-an-TEES. The ending is the /tiːz/ as in 'tease' with a Z voicing. Tip: start with gar (low-front) + uh (schwa) + TEES (tensed, tʃ? no, just TEES). In connected speech, the middle syllable reduces to a schwa in casual speech: /ˈɡær.ənˌtiːz/ or /ɡəˈrɒn.tiz/ in some dialects. For precise practice, use a slow, deliberate pronunciation: GAR-ən-TEES.
Common errors: misplacing stress (saying gar-an-TEES with weak mid syllable) and mispronouncing the ending as /-tiːz/ instead of the crisp /-tiz/ due to linking. Another error is a clipped middle vowel making it /ˈɡær.ənˌtiːz/ with overly syllabic middle. Corrections: practice the -tiːz ending with the voice clearly on the z, keep the middle schwa short and unstressed, and ensure the primary stress sits on the final TEES. Use slow repetitions: GAR-uh-TEES; then speed up while maintaining the final z sound.
In US, you’ll often hear /ɡær.ənˈtiːz/ with a rhotic r and a clear schwa in the middle. In many UK varieties, it can be /ˈɡær.ənˌtiːz/ with slightly less stress on the final syllable and a more centralized vowel in the middle; some speakers reduce the middle vowel to /ə/ and keep the final /tiːz/. Australian English tends toward /ˈɡaː rə nˌtiːz/ or /ˈɡæɹ.ən.ˌtiːz/ with a flatter vowel in the first syllable and similar final -teez; rhoticity is non-rhotic in most Australian speech, affecting linking.
The difficulty lies in the multisyllabic structure with a stressed final syllable and the 'g' to 't' transition: /ɡ/ to /t/ with an intervocalic schwa. The middle syllable often reduces to a weak /ə/ in rapid speech, which can mask the word’s root meaning. Also, the /ɪ/ or /iː/ in the final syllable requires length and breath support to avoid a rushed or clipped ending. Practicing the sequence GAR-ən-TEES helps solidify the rhythm and keeps the final /z/ clear.
Is there a risk of mispronouncing the middle /ən/ as a full /ən/? Some learners insert an extra syllable, saying gar-uh-AN-teeze instead of gar-ən-TEES. The corrective tip is to reduce the middle to a quick schwa /ə/ and maintain the final title as TEES with strong syllable weight on the last syllable. Focus on timing: GAR (beat one) - ən (beat two quickly) - TEES (beat three, elongated). This preserves the word’s natural rhythm in fluent speech.
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Guarantee derives from Old French garant (protector, defender, one who guarantees), from garantie meaning protection or warrant, and ultimately from Germanic roots related to protection and safety. The English noun guarantee appeared in the 14th century, evolving from medieval legal language to a more general sense of a promise of performance. The verb form guarantee emerged later, using the noun as its base to describe the action of providing such a promise. The semantic arc tracks a shift from formal, contractual protection to everyday assurances in consumer and personal contexts. The word integrates Latin and French influence in the legal domain, reflecting a historical emphasis on reliability, fidelity, and accountability. First known uses surface in charter and contract documents where guarantees functioned as binding commitments by guarantors to ensure compliance by principals. Over centuries, guarantees broadened to non-legal settings, becoming common in consumer warranties, service level agreements, and general assurances across business, technology, and everyday transactions.
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Words that rhyme with "guarantees"
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