2 syllables: in, bred. Stress on in.
IN-bred
/ˈɪnˌbɹɛd/
inbred is pronounced IN-bred (/ˈɪnˌbɹɛd/). It has two syllables (in-bred), with the stress on "in". Inbred is an adjective or noun referring to closely related individuals, especially by mating within a limited gene pool. It implies a hereditary origin from relatives or ancestors, often carrying connotations of reduced genetic variability. In everyday use, it can describe populations or traits produced by such mating, sometimes carrying negative or critical overtones about health or behavior.
Inbred is an adjective or noun referring to closely related individuals, especially by mating within a limited gene pool. It implies a hereditary origin from relatives or ancestors, often carrying connotations of reduced genetic variability. In everyday use, it can describe populations or traits produced by such mating, sometimes carrying negative or critical overtones about health or behavior.
"The isolated farm community was criticized for its inbred population and limited genetic diversity."
"Certain dog breeds show distinct, inbred traits that have been perpetuated by selective breeding."
"The term inbred is sensitive and sometimes considered pejorative when describing people."
Say in-bred with two syllables: /ɪnˈbrɛd/ in US/UK. The primary stress is on the second syllable. Start with a short, lax
Common errors include stressing the first syllable (ɪnˈbrɛd vs ˈɪnbrɛd) and slurring the /br/ cluster, producing a blurred /br/. Ensure the /b/ and /r/ are crisp and the /ɛ/ is a clear, mid-open vowel. Use a light, quick transition between /n/ and /br/ to avoid a nasalized blend.
In US and UK, the word maintains /ɪnˈbrɛd/. Australian can show a slightly broader vowel in /ɛ/ and a more pronounced /d/. Rhotic influence is minimal here, but the /r/ is less strongly pronounced in non-rhotic variants; however, /br/ remains a tight consonant cluster in all.
The main challenge is the /br/ cluster immediately after a nasal /n/. It requires precise tongue action to avoid adding an extra vowel or biasing toward /b/ or /r/ independently. Maintaining a crisp /ɪ/ before /n/ and a steady /ɛ/ in the stressed syllable helps clarity.
The word centers on the stress on the second syllable and features a sharply enunciated /br/ cluster after /n/. It’s a good test for connecting nasal to plosive-consonant transitions and keeping a clean vowel before a consonant cluster.
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The term inbred originates from the combination of in- (inside, within) and breed (to reproduce or raise offspring). Its earliest uses appear in the early modern period, aligning with evolving discussions of heredity and bloodlines. In the 16th and 17th centuries, inbred commonly described animals or plants bred within a closed lineage, emphasizing purity of traits. By the 19th and 20th centuries, its meaning broadened to human contexts, often carrying negative social or medical implications. The word captures the concept of reproduction within a restricted gene pool, highlighting concerns about genetic diversity and inherited conditions. The usage has fluctuated with changing attitudes toward genetics, anthropology, and ethics, and in modern discourse it frequently appears in scientific, veterinary, and sociocultural discussions, sometimes provoking sensitivity when applied to people or communities. First known printed uses surface in agrarian and natural science texts, where breeders noted genealogies and pedigrees, and progressively transferred to medical and sociological writing as heredity ideas became widely studied and debated.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "inbred" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "inbred" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "inbred"
-ead sounds
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