5 syllables: I, de, ol, o, gy. Stress on ol.
eye-dee-AH-luh-jee
/ˌaɪdiˈɑlədʒi/
Ideology is pronounced eye-dee-AH-luh-jee (/ˌaɪdiˈɑlədʒi/). It has five syllables (I-de-ol-o-gy), with the stress on "ol". Ideology is a system of ideas and ideals, especially one held by a particular group or political party. It shapes beliefs, values, and goals, often guiding collective or individual action. The term emphasizes a cohesive framework of worldview rather than isolated opinions, and is commonly used in political, social, and academic discussions about doctrine and persuasion.
nounIdeology is a system of ideas and ideals, especially one held by a particular group or political party. It shapes beliefs, values, and goals, often guiding collective or individual action. The term emphasizes a cohesive framework of worldview rather than isolated opinions, and is commonly used in political, social, and academic discussions about doctrine and persuasion.
- • Common Mistake: rushing the middle syllable leading to /ˌaɪ.dɪˈɒldʒi/ or merging /l/ and /dʒ/ into a single sound. Correction: pause between /l/ and /dʒ/, keep /l/ light but perceptible, and release /dʒ/ with a short burst before the final /i/. - • Mistake: softening the final /dʒi/ to /diː/ or /dʒɪ/. Correction: keep the /dʒ/ as a brief affricate and end with a crisp /i/. - • Mistake: incorrect main stress placement on the first two syllables. Correction: ensure primary stress on the third syllable /ˈɒl.ə.dʒi/? actually on the third syllable; practice with clapping: i-dè-o-lo-gy to feel the beat.
How to Pronounce Ideology
"Her ideology about education reform influenced every policy proposal she advanced."
"The party’s ideology centered on individual freedoms and market competition."
"Academic debates often pit competing ideologies against one another."
Pronounce as /ˌaɪ.dɪˈɒl.ə.dʒi/ (US) or /ˌaɪ.dɪˈɒl.ə.dʒi/ (UK). The syllable stress falls on the third syllable: i-de-OL-o-gy. Start with a stressed “ol” as in 'ol-uh', ensure the final 'gy' sounds like 'jee' (/dʒi/). For video reference, imagine a slight pause after the second syllable before the stressed /ˈɒl/.
Common errors: misplacing stress (putting emphasis on the first or second syllable), pronouncing the middle /ɒ/ as a simple ‘a’ without quality, and softening the final /dʒi/ to /diː/ or /dʒiː/. Correction: keep the primary stress on the third syllable /ˈɒl.ə.dʒi/ and clearly voice the final /dʒi/ as /dʒi/ with the tongue contacting the alveolar ridge for /dʒ/ and the lips neutral for /i/.
US: /ˌaɪ.dɪˈɒl.ə.dʒi/ with a rhotic r and broader /ɒ/ in the stressed syllable. UK: /ˌaɪ.dɪˈɒl.ə.dʒi/ slightly shorter /ɒ/ and non-rhotic r; AU: similar to UK, with a potentially tighter vowel space and slightly broader diphthongs. Across all, keep stress on the third syllable and maintain the /dʒ/ sound before the ending /i/.
Two challenges stand out: the three-syllable rhythm with secondary stress and the /dʒ/ sound after the liquid /l/ combination. The /ɒl/ cluster in the stressed syllable requires precise lip rounding and jaw position, while the /dʒ/ must not blend with the preceding /l/; keep a distinct voicing for /dʒ/ and a clear front vowel for /i/. Practice with minimal pairs to isolate these sounds.
Ideology does not have silent letters. Each letter contributes to the pronunciation: /ˌaɪ.dɪˈɒl.ə.dʒi/ customers should articulate all phonemes, with the key difficulty being the /dʒ/ following /l/ and the vowel qualities across the five syllables. Focus on sustaining the /ɒ/ quality in the stressed syllable and finishing with /dʒi/ clearly.
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- US: rhotic accent; slightly stronger /ɒ/ and clear /ɪ/ in the second syllable; UK: non-rhotic; /ɒ/ is more rounded and the /r/ is silent; AU: similar to UK but with a more centralized vowel space and sometimes a slightly broader /ɒ/; IPA references: US /ˌaɪ.dɪˈɒl.ə.dʒi/, UK /ˌaɪ.dɪˈɒ.lə.dʒi/, AU /ˌaɪ.dɪˈɒl.ə.dʒi/. - Tips: exaggerate the second vowel slightly in practice to even out the syllables, then reduce without losing stress; keep the /dʒ/ distinct from the preceding /l/; aim for a smooth glide into /ə/ before /dʒi/.
Ideology derives from the French ideologie, formed in the 18th century from the Greek roots idea (idea, form) and logos (speech, argument, study). The word combines the concept of ideas with the study or discourse about them. It entered English in the late 18th to early 19th century, gaining prominence in philosophy and political theory as scholars discussed systems of thought that guide collective action. Early usage often related to the science or study of ideas themselves, but by the 19th and 20th centuries it solidified as the organized set of beliefs or principles underlying political groups, religious sects, and social movements. Over time, ideology has acquired the connotation of a comprehensive, sometimes dogmatic, worldview that informs policy, identity, and culture, with “ideology” increasingly bearing political charge in public discourse.
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Words that rhyme with "Ideology"
-ogy sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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