3 syllables: Im, mi, nent. Stress on Im.
IM-uh-nuhnt
/ˈɪmənənt/
Imminent is pronounced IM-uh-nuhnt (/ˈɪmənənt/). It has three syllables (Im-mi-nent), with the stress on "Im". Imminent means about to happen very soon; it is used to describe events that are impending and likely to occur shortly. The term carries a sense of immediacy and inevitability, often implying warning or urgency. It functions as an adjective and is commonly placed before nouns or in predicates to convey upcoming proximity.
adjectiveImminent means about to happen very soon; it is used to describe events that are impending and likely to occur shortly. The term carries a sense of immediacy and inevitability, often implying warning or urgency. It functions as an adjective and is commonly placed before nouns or in predicates to convey upcoming proximity.
"The storm is imminent, so take shelter now."
"Her resignation was imminent after the final meeting."
"A decision is imminent; we expect a statement within hours."
Pronounce as IM-uh-nent with primary stress on the first syllable. IPA: US/UK/AU /ˈɪmɪnənt/. Start with a short, lax I (as in kit), then an unstressed second syllable with a schwa in the middle, and end with -nənt where the 'nt' is a light release. Mouth: lips neutral, tongue high for the /ɪ/ in the first vowel, then relaxed for /m/ and the schwa. Listen for a crisp but quick 'n' before the final 'ənt'.
Common errors: 1) Stressing the second syllable (im-MI-nent) which changes meaning and naturalness; 2) Over-pronouncing the second vowel as a full /ɪ/ instead of a schwa, leading to /ˈɪmɪˌnɛnt/; 3) Pronouncing the final as /-ɛnt/ or adding an extra syllable. Correction: keep the first syllable stressed, reduce the middle vowel to a quick schwa, and end with /-nənt/. Practice with reduced vowel in the second syllable and a clean /nt/ at the end.
US, UK, and AU all share /ˈɪmɪnənt/ core. In rhotic US, the /r/ is not present, so pronunciation stays rhotic-free; UK and AU are non-rhotic as well. Vowel quality differs slightly: US tends to slightly diphthongize /ɪ/ in rapid speech, UK may reduce the middle vowel a touch more toward a near-close central, and AU can be even more relaxed, with a lighter /ɪ/ and a less pronounced /ə/. Overall, the main differences are subtle vowel quality and speed, not the essential consonant structure.
Two main challenges are the short, clipped first /ɪ/ and the middle /ɪ/ often reduced to a schwa in fluent speech, which can obscure the expected pulse of syllables. Also, the final syllable /nənt/ requires a quick, light /nt/ blend without a strong 't' release. Getting the balance between speeding through the middle and preserving the strong initial stress is key. Practice with deliberate slow enunciation, then gradual speed, keeping the schwa present.
Imminent includes a near-cluster in the second syllable where the /m/ lands between two nasal syllables and a reduced vowel. The tricky part is keeping the /m/ and /n/ cleanly separated while the middle vowel compresses toward a schwa. Visualize a sequence: IM - - i - nent, with the middle /ɪ/ quickly turning toward /ə/ and the /nt/ ending crisply released. This combination is a frequent source of non-native mispronunciation.
🗣️ Voice search tip: These questions are optimized for voice search. Try asking your voice assistant any of these questions about "Imminent"!
Imminent derives from the Latin imminere, meaning to hang over or threaten. The verb imminere is formed from in- (upon, toward) + minere (to threaten, threaten). The noun and adjective form entered Middle English via Old French imminent, keeping the core sense of something that hovers near or is impending. Early uses questioned the immediacy of events, but by the 16th century it carried a strong sense of immediate proximity and likelihood. In contemporary usage, imminent is almost always used to describe events or actions that are expected to occur very soon, often within moments or hours, carrying a sense of urgency rather than mere possibility. The pronunciation settled into /ˈɪmɪnənt/ in English, with the first syllable stressed and a reduced second syllable, reflecting its Latin roots while conforming to modern English prosody. First known use in English literature aligns with the Renaissance period, a time when increasing political and religious tensions heightened the sense of impending events. Today, imminent remains a formal yet common term in news, warnings, and professional contexts, frequently paired with verbs like be, appear, occur, or happen to emphasize near-term timing.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "Imminent" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "Imminent" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Imminent" and show contrast in usage.
📚 Vocabulary tip: Learning synonyms and antonyms helps you understand nuanced differences in meaning and improves your word choice in speaking and writing.
Words that rhyme with "Imminent"
-ent sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
🎵 Rhyme tip: Practicing with rhyming words helps you master similar sound patterns and improves your overall pronunciation accuracy.
