4 syllables: in, flam, ma, ble. Stress on flam.
in-FLAM-uh-buhl
/ɪnˈflæməbəl/
inflammable is pronounced in-FLAM-uh-buhl (/ɪnˈflæməbəl/). It has four syllables (in-flam-ma-ble), with the stress on "flam". Inflammable means easily set on fire; capable of catching fire quickly. The term can be misleading because it resembles 'flammable' but both derive from the same root, and in modern usage both indicate combustibility. In everyday contexts, it’s used as a formal safety term or technical descriptor for materials, though some prefer using non-misleading synonyms to avoid confusion.
Inflammable means easily set on fire; capable of catching fire quickly. The term can be misleading because it resembles 'flammable' but both derive from the same root, and in modern usage both indicate combustibility. In everyday contexts, it’s used as a formal safety term or technical descriptor for materials, though some prefer using non-misleading synonyms to avoid confusion.
- Common mistakes: • Stress misplacement: placing primary stress on IN or MABLE instead of FLAM; fix by practicing in-FLAM-uh-bəl with one-syllable focus on FLAM. • Final cluster reduction: dropping the /əl/ to /l/ or /ə/; practice with a slower, full ending /əbəl/ and then speed up. • Vowel quality: using /eɪ/ or /e/ in /æ/; keep /æ/ as in laptop; practice with minimal pairs to hear difference. - Corrections: hyper-articulating the /fl/ cluster, ensuring a crisp /æ/ in /flæm/, and finishing with a clear /əbəl/; use a slow-taster drill before speed, and record yourself.
"The solvent is highly inflammable, so keep it away from sparks."
"Gasoline is an inflammable liquid that should be stored in approved containers."
"The label clearly states inflammable materials and requires no open flames near the storage area."
Pronounce as in-FLAM-muh-buhl with primary stress on the second syllable. IPA: US/UK/AU ɪnˈflæməbəl. Start with a short, unstressed i sound, then the clear /flæ/ as in ‘flap,’ followed by /mə/ (schwa) and ending with /bəl/ where the b is light and the final syllable reduces to a schwa-less -əl. Think of it as IN + FLAM + a + bLE, with emphasis on FLAM.
Two frequent errors: (1) stressing the first syllable instead of the second (in-FLAM-mable) and (2) mispronouncing the final -ble as /bl/ instead of /bəl/. Correction: keep the secondary stress on FLAM and end with a light /bəl/; ensure the -able is heard as /əbəl/ rather than /əbəl/ shortened too much. Practice saying in-FLAM-uh-buhl with a quick, relaxed mouth closure on the final /əl/.
Across US/UK/AU, the core vowels stay similar: /ɪn/ onset, /ˈflæm/ stressed; but rhoticity affects the following vowels only if an American speaker integrates rhotic post-vocalic vowels in careful forms. US vowels tend to be slightly tenser; UK and AU often have a more compact, reduced final /əl/. The primary variation is in vowel quality, not the syllable stress; keep /æ/ in /flæm/ consistent in all regions.
Key challenges are the cluster /fl-/ after a short initial /ɪn/, the /æ/ vowel in /flæm/, and the final /əbəl/ sequence which can merge into /əbl/ for some speakers. The word blends a stressful middle syllable with a light, schwa-like ending. Aim for a crisp, clear /æ/ then a controlled, quick /mə/ and a soft, clear /bəl/ to avoid a muffled final.
A unique feature is the non-intuitive presence of a strong second syllable stress despite the appearance of a prefix-in pattern. The 'in-' is not negation here; the stress falls on FLAM. Also, the ending -able renders as /əbəl/ rather than /əbl/ in a casual fast speech, which is easy to swallow and mispronounce. Focus on the mid-syllable /æ/ and the final /əl/.
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- US: rhotic influence minor, keep /ɪ/ in /ɪn/ and /ə/ in /əbəl/. - UK: less rhotic influence; keep final /əl/ crisp and unstressed; - AU: tends to a flatter intonation with slightly broader vowels; keep /æ/ stable and avoid shifting to /eɪ/; rely on IPA guides and mimic native sources.
Inflammable comes from the Latin in- (in or on) and fluere (to flow) fused in the sense of catching on fire easily, historically via the French inflammer or Latin inflammare. The prefix in- here is not a negation; instead, it reinforces the sense of “set on fire.” The root flame/flamm- enters English through Old French and Middle English, with the double- consonant f-fl largely preserved in spelling while pronunciation reduced. By the 19th century, inflamma- forms appear in technical safety literature to describe materials that ignite readily. The modern safety context, including signage and regulatory guidance, solidified around the mid-20th century as industrial hazards increased. The word's spelling hints at the etymology, but pronunciation has become a common point of confusion, with some speakers inserting a stress shift or overcorrecting to sound like ‘in-flam-able’ rather than the accepted pronunciation which uniformly stresses the second syllable for many speakers. Understanding its history helps you appreciate its usage in safety labels and regulatory documents, despite the potential ambiguity with similar terms like flammable and inflammable in everyday speech.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "inflammable" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "inflammable" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "inflammable"
-ble sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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