3 syllables: Ig, ne, ous. Stress on Ig.
IG-nee-uhs
/ˈɪɡniəs/
Igneous is pronounced IG-nee-uhs (/ˈɪɡniəs/). It has three syllables (Ig-ne-ous), with the stress on "Ig". Igneous is a geological term describing rocks formed through cooling and solidification of molten material. Although the word is a noun in some contexts, it is often used as an adjective (igneous rocks) in geology. The pronunciation emphasizes the first syllable, with a clear /ɪ/ and a final /əs/ or /iːəs/ sound depending on stress and formality, typically used in scientific discussion.
nounIgneous is a geological term describing rocks formed through cooling and solidification of molten material. Although the word is a noun in some contexts, it is often used as an adjective (igneous rocks) in geology. The pronunciation emphasizes the first syllable, with a clear /ɪ/ and a final /əs/ or /iːəs/ sound depending on stress and formality, typically used in scientific discussion.
"The igneous rocks in this region include granite, diorite, and rhyolite."
"A geologist classified the specimen as igneous based on its mineralogy and texture."
"Igneous processes involve both intrusive and extrusive cooling of magma or lava."
Say IG-nee-uhs with the stress on the first syllable: /ˈɪdʒ.ni.əs/ in US/UK/AU. The first syllable starts with a short i as in 'sit,' followed by a soft j-like consonant blend /dʒ/ (the 'g' is soft here). The middle syllable is a short /ni/ and the final is a light /əs/ or /əs/ without a heavy emphasis. Think: IG-nee-us, keeping a smooth transition between sounds. IPA references: US /ˈɪdʒ.ni.əs/, UK /ˈɪdʒ.ni.əs/, AU /ˈɪdʒ.ni.əs/.
Common errors: (1) stressing the second syllable (i-NEE-dios) rather than the first; (2) pronouncing the middle /ni/ as a hard /ni/ with a strong 'ee' sound; (3) flattening the final /əs/ into a full /əs/ as in 'us' rather than a light schwa. Correction tips: emphasize the first syllable with /ˈɪdʒ/; keep the second syllable short /ni/ without a prolonged vowel; end with a soft /əs/ or /əs/ about 60–70% of the duration of the first vowel. Listen for the /dʒ/ blend and avoid turning it into /d/ + /ʒ/.
US, UK, and AU share the /ˈɪdʒ.ni.əs/ core but vowel qualities differ slightly. US often features a darker, broader /ɪ/ and a crisper /dʒ/; UK tends to a slightly shorter first vowel and crisper final /ə/ or /əs/; AU mirrors US vowel qualities but may reduce the final vowel slightly in casual speech. Rhoticity is minimal variation for this word, as /ɹ/ is not present. Overall, the primary stress and syllable count remain the same across regions.
The main challenge is the /dʒ/ sound at the start of the second syllable, which can blur with /d/ or /j/ if spoken quickly. Also, maintaining a light final /əs/ rather than a full /əs/ or /əs/ with extra vowel length can be tricky in connected speech. Your jaw position for /dʒ/ should be quick but precise, and the final shoulder of the word should remain unstressed, with a relaxed, non-syllabic ending. IPA cues help anchor the exact mouth shapes.
A useful detail is keeping the /ɪ/ in the first syllable short and crisp, avoiding a long /iː/ or /ə/ vowel. The onset /ɪdʒ/ is a tightly bound cluster; practice with minimal pairs like igneous vs. eager to feel the embedding of /dʒ/. Also maintain a clean /n/ between /ni/ and the final /əs/, ensuring no assimilation to the following vowel.
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Igneous derives from the Latin igneus meaning 'fiery' or 'of fire,' from ignis 'fire.' The term entered scientific usage in the 18th–19th centuries with the rise of geology as a formal discipline. Initially, 'igneous' described rocks formed by fire, distinguishing them from sedimentary and metamorphic types. The root ign-, related to fire across Romance languages (Italian fuoco, French feu) shows the continuity of the concept of molten material cooling into solid rock. Over time, the word broadened to cover all rocks formed by cooling of magma (intrusive) or lava (extrusive), while keeping its fiery etymology as a mnemonic anchor for the molten origin of these rocks. First known uses appear in scholarly texts of natural philosophy and early geological surveys, where the classification helped scientists map crustal formation processes and volcanic activity. The semantic arc from fiery origin to a fixed mineralogical category reflects geology’s move from descriptive to systematic taxonomy. Today, igneous remains a cornerstone term in petrology, used in both academic discourse and applied geology.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Igneous" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Igneous" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Igneous"
-ous sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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