3 syllables: im, mi, grants. Stress on im.
/ˈɪməɡɹənts/
Say it backImmigrants are people who move from one country to another with the intention of settling there, often for work, safety, or family reasons. The term emphasizes the act of relocation across national borders and the status of entering a new country to live, typically for an extended period or permanently. It contrasts with temporary visitors or tourists and participates in ongoing discussions about integration and policy.
"The town has welcomed immigrants who arrived seeking better opportunities."
"Policies affecting immigrants can influence local labor markets and cultural diversity."
"Some immigrants face challenges with language access and housing when they settle."
Pronounce as /ˈɪm.ɪ.ɡrənts/. Start with a short 'im' as in 'rim', then a quick 'mi' (may be unreleased in casual speech), followed by a clear 'grants' with a hardened 'g' and a voiced 'r'. The primary stress is on the first syllable: IM-mi-grants. Tip: keep the final 'nts' cluster tight with a light t release before the s.
Common errors: over-clarifying the middle vowel so it sounds like 'imm-ee-grants' or misplacing the stress so it sounds like im-MI-grants. Another error is pronouncing the 't' too strongly, or turning the final 'nts' into a separate syllable. Correction: maintain /ˈɪm.ɪ.ɡrənts/ with a quick, soft 't' release into the 's' and keep the first syllable prominent.
In US, /ˈɪm.ɪ.ɡrənts/ with rhoticity meaning the 'r' is pronounced before the 'ənt(s)'; some regional accents reduce the middle vowel slightly. UK variants tend to be similar but with less vowel reduction in some dialects; AU tends to be flatter vowels with less rhotic emphasis in some speakers and a smoother transition between syllables. Overall, the 'g' and 'r' are pronounced distinctly across accents, and the final 'nts' cluster remains compact.
Two main challenges: the three-syllable rhythm with secondary vowels can lull you into reducing the middle vowel; and the 'gr' consonant cluster followed by 'nts' requires careful timing to avoid adding an extra syllable. Focus on keeping short, unstressed middle vowel and a clean /ɡr/ cluster, then a tight /nts/ without adding a vowel between n and t.
A unique feature is the three-part onset with a near-minimal release between /ɪ/ and /m/ in rapid speech. You will often hear a tiny schwa-like sound in fast talk. The accurate pattern is /ˈɪm.ɪ.ɡrənts/ with the first syllable carrying primary stress and a quick, light transition into /ɡrənts/.
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Immigrant comes from French immigrant, from Middle French immigrant, from Latin immigrare, meaning to move into or to enter (a country). Immigrare is a compound of in- (into) and migrare (to move, to depart). The first known uses in English appear in the 16th century, closely tied to patterns of exploration, colonization, and later mass migrations. Early English writers borrowed directly from French and Latin, standardizing the term to describe individuals who cross political borders for permanent or long-term residence. Over time, “immigrant” distinguished itself from “emigrant” (one who leaves) and “alien,” with legal and sociopolitical implications evolving in immigration law and public discourse. In contemporary usage, the word is frequently paired with modifiers (economic immigrant, immigrant family) to specify intent, legal status, or origin, and has both neutral and politicized connotations depending on context. The word’s semantic breadth widened as global mobility increased in the modern era, influencing debates about citizenship, integration, and rights of foreign-born residents.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "immigrants" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "immigrants"
-nts sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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