2 syllables: gy, psy. Stress on gy.
JIP-see
/ˈdʒɪpsi/
gypsy is pronounced JIP-see (/ˈdʒɪpsi/). It has two syllables (gy-psy), with the stress on "gy". Gypsy refers to a traditionally itinerant ethnic group originating from South Asia, now primarily associated with Roma communities in Europe. The term has historical usage as a descriptor for nomadic lifestyles and certain cultural practices, but it can be pejorative or outdated in some contexts. In modern usage, prefer Roma or Roma people when identifying ethnicity, reserving “gypsy” for historical, literary, or self-identifying contexts where appropriate.
Gypsy refers to a traditionally itinerant ethnic group originating from South Asia, now primarily associated with Roma communities in Europe. The term has historical usage as a descriptor for nomadic lifestyles and certain cultural practices, but it can be pejorative or outdated in some contexts. In modern usage, prefer Roma or Roma people when identifying ethnicity, reserving “gypsy” for historical, literary, or self-identifying contexts where appropriate.
- You may substitute the initial /g/ with /dʒ/ inconsistently; decide your target accent and stick to it. If you choose US /ˈɡɪpsi/, practice the hard g followed by a short i and a crisp p-s release. - Overlong vowel in the first syllable; keep /ɪ/ short and bright. - Final /si/ can become /siː/ or /sɪ/; aim for a quick, light ending.
"The narrator described the camp as home to a traveling gypsy family with vibrant music."
"In some novels, the word gypsy is used to evoke a sense of mystery or foreignness."
"The festival featured gypsy jazz, flamenco-inspired rhythms, and folk storytelling."
In US English, it’s /ˈɡɪpsi/ with a hard g as in gate, short i as in bit, and a final -psy pronounced as -psi, rhyming with “wispie.” In UK/AU, many speakers use /ˈdʒɪpsi/ with a voiced postalveolar affricate starting sound like “j” in joy. Stress falls on the first syllable. Listen to native speech to confirm the /ɡ/ vs /dʒ/ onset in your region.
Common errors: mispronouncing the initial consonant as a hard /g/ followed by an /i/ that’s too long, or softening the second syllable too much, producing /ˈɡɪpi/? instead of /ˈɡɪpsi/. Another error is using a long “ee” in the final syllable; keep the short “i” as in it. Correct by practicing the exact sequence /ˈɡɪp.si/ and ensuring the /p/ is released with a light, aspirated stop before the /s/.
US often uses /ˈɡɪpsi/ with a voiced/voiceless transition on /g/ and a short /i/. UK/AU commonly use /ˈdʒɪpsi/ with a /dʒ/ onset and similarly short /i/. Rhoticity does not affect the word itself, but surrounding vowels may color. In non-rhotic accents, the r isn't pronounced, but this word lacks final r. Focus on whether your region uses /g/ vs /dʒ/ at the onset and maintain the short i vowel in all.
The challenge is the onset contrast: in some regions, the word begins with a /dʒ/ sound that blends into the /ɪ/ syllable; in others, a hard /g/ split can feel abrupt. The second syllable /si/ ends with a sibilant cluster that can blur if you don’t release the /p/ before /s/. Additionally, the short i requires precise tongue height to avoid producing a schwa. Practice the discrete /ɡ/ or /dʒ/ onset plus /ɪ/ and /ps/ sequence clearly.
No—the syllable boundary is after the /p/ so you have two syllables: /ˈɡɪp/ plus /si/. The /p/ should be released before the /s/ for a clean /ps/ cluster, with a quick transition into the final /i/ or /i/ vowel. Do not turn the second syllable into a separate vowel-heavy ending; keep it light and short, ensuring the /si/ remains unstressed.
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- US: maintain non-rhotic tendencies, but this word is not rhotic in itself; focus on the tensed /ɪ/ and the crisp /p/ release. - UK: /dʒ/ onset may require more lip rounding and air, so practice with /tʃ/ or /dʒ/ minimal pairs to stabilize. - AU: often closer to UK but with a more aspirated plosive; ensure a clear /p/ release followed by /s/.
The term gypsy derives from the mistaken medieval assumption that the travelers originated in Egypt. It entered English in the 16th century through French gypsie from Middle English gypsi(e) or Gypsie, borrowed from Old French gypci, and ultimately from Late Latin Aigyptius meaning “Egyptian.” The ethnonym Rom is used by the people themselves (Romani) and by neighbors as Rom, Romany, or Gypsy in various languages. Historically, the label conflated foreignness with nomadism, and early modern writers linked “gypsies” with itinerant trades, music, and fortune-telling. Over centuries the word accrued stereotypes of fortune-telling, trickery, or mysterious wanderers, shaping both cultural fascination and prejudice. In recent decades, scholarship and advocacy favor Roma over the umbrella term “gypsy,” and contemporary usage favors Roma as a self-designation or Roma as an umbrella term for diverse groups. First known use in English appears around the 16th century, with later literary works embedding the term in both romanticized and pejorative contexts. The word’s meaning evolved from a generic “stranger” to a specific ethnic-social group associated with transience, music, and craft within European societies, gradually shifting toward more nuanced, rights-based discussions of Roma identity and rights.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "gypsy" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "gypsy" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "gypsy"
-psy sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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