One syllable: haste.
hayst
/heɪst/
haste is pronounced hayst (/heɪst/). It has one syllable (haste), with the stress on "haste". Haste refers to a tendency to move, act, or decide too quickly, often sacrificing careful consideration or accuracy. It can describe both a rapid tempo in action and the efficiency drive behind urgent tasks. In usage, it commonly conveys a sense of rushing that can lead to mistakes or overlooked details.
Haste refers to a tendency to move, act, or decide too quickly, often sacrificing careful consideration or accuracy. It can describe both a rapid tempo in action and the efficiency drive behind urgent tasks. In usage, it commonly conveys a sense of rushing that can lead to mistakes or overlooked details.
- Misplacing the long /eɪ/ as a short /e/ or /ɛ/; ensure a proper diphthong glide from /eɪ/ to the following /s/ and /t/. - Slurring the /st/ into a blown /st/ or failing to release the /t/ crisply; practice a brisk release. - Adding an extra vowel sound (e.g., ‘ha-iste’) or pronouncing as ‘hass-t’ with an aspirated /t/; keep it tight and single-syllable. - Neglecting mouth position in rapid speech; keep tongue toward the roof for /eɪ/ and avoid overly open lips. - In connected speech, sometimes the /t/ becomes a tap; aim for a clear stop in careful speech and use a soft voice onset for natural rhythm.
"The project failed because the team acted in haste and skipped essential reviews."
"She regretted her haste in signing the contract without reading the terms carefully."
"In his haste to leave, he forgot his umbrella on the bench."
pronounce it as /heɪst/. It’s a single syllable with a long A vowel, starting with an open-mid position and gliding into a tight /eɪ/; end with the /st/ consonant cluster. Keep the tongue high for the /eɪ/ and finish with a crisp /t/ without releasing extra air. Think of matching the vowel sound in ‘cake’ and then add the final /st/ cluster smoothly.
Common mistakes include pronouncing it as ‘hast’ with an abrupt stop or misplacing the vowel as a short /æ/; another error is adding a schwa before the final /t/ (has-t). To correct: maintain the long /eɪ/ diphthong, end with a clean /st/ cluster, and avoid extra vowel sounds. Ensure the tongue stays high for the /eɪ/ and the /t/ is released crisply.
In US/UK/AU, /heɪst/ remains consistent; differences lie in surrounding vowel quality and rhoticity if the word sits in connected speech. The main vowel is a tense, fronted /eɪ/; Americans may have slightly more centralized vowel in rapid speech, while Australians might have a more centralized vowel before /st/ in some dialects. The /t/ remains unreleased in careful speech; in rapid speech it may be assimilated to a light /d/ or flapped in connected contexts, though less common in careful enunciation.
Because of the short, sharp final /st/ cluster and the strong diphthong /eɪ/. The transition from the vowel to the /s/ and then /t/ requires precise tongue position and burst control; many learners tend to reduce or misarticulate the /t/ or slide the vowel into a different vowel sound. Keep the jaw relatively closed during the /eɪ/ and finish with a crisp stop.
A unique aspect is the tight, tongue-tip contact for the /t/ after the /s/; many learners blend /st/ into a single sound or release the /t/ too soon. Focus on a firm alveolar contact for the /t/ and a quick, light release; the /s/ should be audible but not hissy. Practicing with minimal pairs like ‘hated’ vs ‘haste’ helps cement the proper sequence.
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- US: clear, rhoticity not relevant here; emphasize the /eɪ/ with a forward jaw and tense tongue; maintain a compact mouth shape for /st/. - UK: similar /eɪ/ but with slightly more relaxed lip rounding; /t/ crisp and precise, avoiding flapped variants in careful speech. - AU: tends to have a centralized or slightly higher vowel area; keep the /eɪ/ distinct, avoid over rounding; practice with native Australian samples to capture subtle vowel length and placement. - IPA references: US /heɪst/, UK /heɪst/, AU /heɪst/; pay attention to non-rhotic tendencies in surrounding speech. - General: keep the sound compact, avoid introducing extra vowels; ensure a sharp, silent pause after /t/ in careful pronunciation.
The noun haste comes from the Old French word hasti, hast, or hastier, derived from the Germanic root *hast- meaning ‘haste, speed.’ The core concept surfaced in Middle English as hasten or hasten-like forms to denote rapid movement or quick action. Across centuries, the sense broadened from physical speed to the swift execution of tasks or decisions. In historical texts, haste was often paired with prudence or caution, reflecting the tension between speed and care. The spelling stabilized in Early Modern English, with the verb form hasten deriving from the same lineage. The modern noun ‘haste’ retains a slightly formal or literary nuance in some contexts, though it remains common in everyday speech. First known uses appear in Late Old English transcriptions, with more explicit magnetic usage appearing in Middle English literature as a descriptor of rapid actions. The word’s semantic field also intersects contexts like urgency, dispatch, and promptness, while its antonyms emphasize deliberate pacing and careful consideration. In contemporary usage, haste frequently collocates with verbs such as “act,” “be,” or “get,” and with adjectives like “in,” “the,” or “to be.” In short, haste traces a path from ancient Germanic roots to a robust modern expression of rapid action, tempered by cultural awareness of the costs of rushing.”,
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "haste" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "haste" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "haste"
-ste sounds
-ase sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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