3 syllables: he, ma, tite. Stress on he.
HEM-uh-teyet
/ˈhɛməˌtaɪt/
hematite is pronounced HEM-uh-teyet (/ˈhɛməˌtaɪt/). It has three syllables (he-ma-tite), with the stress on "he". Hematite is a mineral consisting mainly of iron oxide (Fe2O3) with a characteristic metallic to dull gray luster. In geology and mineralogy, it’s a common iron ore and a key pigment. The word’s pronunciation emphasizes the second syllable, aligning with its Greek-derived roots, and is typically used in scientific and educational contexts.
Hematite is a mineral consisting mainly of iron oxide (Fe2O3) with a characteristic metallic to dull gray luster. In geology and mineralogy, it’s a common iron ore and a key pigment. The word’s pronunciation emphasizes the second syllable, aligning with its Greek-derived roots, and is typically used in scientific and educational contexts.
- You often catch yourself truncating the second syllable; ensure you articulate the /mə/ and the /taɪt/ clearly for two-syllable rhythm. - You may glide the /taɪt/ into a simpler /taɪ/ or /tiː/—practice with minimal pairs to lock the final -t. - You might substitute /ɛ/ with /e/ in the first vowel; keep the lax /ɛ/ to mirror the usual IPA guidance. - Try to avoid overextending the first syllable; aim for crisp /h/ + /ɛ/ + /m/ + /ə/ alignment.
"The sample was labeled hematite and exhibited a steel-gray sheen."
"Geologists studied hematite deposits to estimate ancient iron production."
"The reddish-brown powder from hematite is used as a pigment in paints."
Pronounce hematite as HEH-muh-tyt, with primary stress on the first syllable. IPA: US /ˈhɛməˌtaɪt/, UK /ˈhɛmɪˌtaɪt/, AU /ˈheːməˌtaɪt/. Start with a crisp /h/ followed by a short /ɛ/ (as in 'bet'), then /m/; the second syllable has a schwa-ish /ə/ before a long /aɪ/ diphthong in /taɪt/. The final /t/ is released, not silent. Listen for the transition: HEH-mə-tyte.
Common errors: (1) Dropping the second syllable or misplacing stress (e.g., he-MA-tite). (2) Skipping the /ə/ in the second syllable, making it /ˈhɛmɪˌtaɪt/ without the mid vowel. (3) Mispronouncing /taɪ/ as /tiː/ or /taɪ/ as /tə/. Correct by emphasizing /ə/ before /taɪt| and ensuring the final /t/ is a clean stop. Practicing with slow syllable separation helps you lock the rhythm.
In US English, /ˈhɛmˌaɪtaɪt/ or /ˈhɛməˌtaɪt/ with clear /ɛ/ and /aɪ/. UK English often uses /ˈhɛmɪˌtaɪt/ with a shorter second vowel and less rhotics influence; Australian tends to merge vowels slightly toward /eɪ/ in some speakers but generally keeps /ˈheɪmtəˌtaɪt/ minimally different. The key is stable first-syllable stress and the final /aɪt/ as a diphthong followed by /t/.
The difficulty centers on the sequence /ˈhɛməˌtaɪt/ with a mid neutral vowel in the second syllable and a trailing /t/ that can soften or be unreleased in rapid speech. Speakers often misplace stress, reduce the /ə/ too much, or mispronounce /taɪ/ as /tiː/ or /tɪ/. Practice that smooths the schwa-influenced transition and reinforces the /taɪt/ ending helps you nail it.
A distinctive feature is the medial /m/ followed by a mid-central vowel before a strong /aɪ/ diphthong; the sequence /mə/ or /mɪ/ can be glossed over in fast speech, so you need to maintain the /ə/ (or /ɪ/) to preserve syllable integrity. Also, the final /t/ should be a crisp stop, not an aspirated or elongated sound in careful speech.
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US: /ˈhɛmɪˌtaɪt/ with a clear schwa in the second syllable; UK: /ˈhɛmɪˌtaɪt/ with slightly shorter second vowel; AU: /ˈheːməˌtaɪt/ with a longer first vowel and less rhotic influence. Focus on maintaining the /ə/ before /taɪt/ and a clearly released final /t/. Vowel durations differ: American tends toward a slightly longer /ɪ/ in unstressed positions, British compresses the second syllable a tad, Australian can show a more open first vowel.
Hematite derives from the Greek haimat- ‘blood’ and itis ‘mineral’ or ‘mineral rock,’ reflecting the reddish staining some samples leave on the hands. The term evokes the mineral’s blood-like oxidized color, a trait that helped ancient peoples recognize it. Early Greek and Latin texts described the mineral under terms like haimatites and haematites, which Latinized into hematites. In classical science, hematite was referenced for its metallic luster and reddish powder, later identifying its chemical composition as iron(III) oxide (Fe2O3). The word entered English through scientific lexicons in the 16th–17th centuries, aligning with the period’s rapid expansion in mineralogy. Over time, hematite retained its primary meaning as a mineral ore and pigment, while the spelling haematite persists in British usage, with hematite as the more common American form. The term has also given rise to adoptions in jewelry and geology, maintaining its core identity as a reddish, iron-oxide mineral. First known use is documented in early modern texts describing mineral substances with characteristic red staining and metallic luster, preceding systematic chemical analysis of iron oxides.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "hematite" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "hematite"
-ite sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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