4 syllables: I, mi, pra, mine. Stress on pra.
im-ip-RAM-een
/ɪmɪˈpɹæmiːn/
Imipramine is pronounced im-ip-RAM-een (/ɪmɪˈpɹæmiːn/). It has four syllables (I-mi-pra-mine), with the stress on "pra". Imipramine is a tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) used to treat depressive and anxiety disorders. It is typically prescribed when other treatments haven’t been effective. The term refers to the chemical class and the brand/generic medication rather than a common noun. Its pronunciation matters for clear clinical communication and accurate pharmacological documentation.
nounImipramine is a tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) used to treat depressive and anxiety disorders. It is typically prescribed when other treatments haven’t been effective. The term refers to the chemical class and the brand/generic medication rather than a common noun. Its pronunciation matters for clear clinical communication and accurate pharmacological documentation.
How to Pronounce Imipramine
"The patient was started on imipramine after partial response to SSRI therapy."
"Imipramine can have anticholinergic side effects that require monitoring."
"The clinician noted imipramine levels during dose titration."
Imipramine is pronounced ih-MIP-ruh-meen, with primary stress on the second syllable. IPA: ɪˈmɪprəˌmiːn. Start with a short i as in it, move to MIP with strong emphasis, then a schwa+r sound, and finish with MEEN. In careful medical speech, ensure the -rine ending doesn’t blur with -teen.
Common errors: flattening the second syllable and overpronouncing the -pram- as a single unit. Correct by releasing a crisp -prə- (schwa) between -m- and -i- and ensuring the final -meen is elongated and clear. Another mistake is misplacing stress on the first syllable; keep primary stress on the second syllable ɪˈmɪprəˌmiːn.
In US/UK, the second syllable carries primary stress: ɪˈmɪ-prə-ˌmiːn. UK and US are similar, but some UK speakers may be slightly more tapped on the -m- and pronounce the -ri- as a reduced -rə-. Australian English tends toward a longer final vowel and a stronger trailing -meen, with slightly less rhoticity. Overall the rhythm remains close: two unstressed, then stressed, then final long -een.
The difficulty comes from the multi-syllabic structure and the three distinct vowel sounds: the initial short i, the mid schwa in -prə-, and the long -miːn at the end. The cluster -mpr- can be hard if you’re not fluent with consecutive consonant blends. Focus on separating syllables: i-mi-prə-meen, with clear pause between -prə- and -meen.
A unique nuance is maintaining the long final -een while not muting the middle schwa. Some speakers shorten the final -meen too much or misplace the stress on the 'mi-' segment; aim for ɪˈmɪ-prə-ˌmiːn with a perceptible pause after the schwa and a crisp, elongated final vowel.
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Imipramine derives from its chemical structure, combining the imidazoline-like tricyclic framework with a tertiary amine side chain. The name reflects its composition: the imide- or imino-like core and the pramine suffix common to several antidepressants of the era (e.g., amitriptyline, imipramide). First synthesized in the 1950s by chemists seeking effective TCAs, imipramine entered medical use in the 1950s–1960s as one of the earlier second-generation TCAs. The term was widely adopted in pharmacology to designate this specific tricyclic compound with a dibenzazepine-like nucleus, and its brand names (e.g., Tofranil) popularized its usage in clinical practice. Historically, the name has crystallized into a standard pharmacological label, distinct from the broader class name and from related agents, with its pronunciation standardized across medical literature and drug labeling.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Imipramine" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "Imipramine"
-ime sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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