2 syllables: in, tact. Stress on tact.
in-TAKT
/ˌɪˈntækt/
intact is pronounced in-TAKT (/ˌɪˈntækt/). It has two syllables (in-tact), with the stress on "tact". Intact means remaining in one piece or undamaged. It describes something whole or unbroken, not torn or impaired, often after an event or examination. In use, it implies preservation of form or function rather than alteration or degradation, and it can contrast with terms like damaged or ruined.
Intact means remaining in one piece or undamaged. It describes something whole or unbroken, not torn or impaired, often after an event or examination. In use, it implies preservation of form or function rather than alteration or degradation, and it can contrast with terms like damaged or ruined.
"The vase fell off the shelf but remained intact, with only a small chip on the rim."
"Despite the flood, many documents stayed intact, legible and properly bound."
"The security system ensured the room was left intact after the inspection."
/ɪnˈtækt/ in US/UK/AU. Primary stress on the second syllable: in-TAC-t. Start with a light /ɪ/ as in kit, then the stressed /æ/ as in cat, followed by a crisp /t/ at the end. You’ll want the tongue to front and raise for /æ/, with a quick, unreleased final /t/ if connected speech is full. Audio reference: standard dictionaries provide USA/UK pronunciation audio you can compare to the IPA.
Common errors include pronouncing with the second syllable as /ækt/ or delaying the /t/ release, turning it into /ɪnˈtækt/ with a too-strong /k/ or a glottal stop before the final /t/. Another frequent slip is misplacing the stress, saying in-TAC-t or in-tanct; keep the stress on the second syllable and a clean final /t/. Practice with minimal pairs to stabilize the rhythm and ensure the /t/ is audible.
In US/UK/AU, /ɪnˈtækt/ is consistent with the stressed second syllable. US pronounces /æ/ as a near-front low vowel; UK and AU often have similar but slightly tense and rounded lip positions and may have marginal, real-time vowel shifts that can affect quality but not the core phonemes. None of these varieties add intrusive sounds; the /ˈt/ remains a light, crisp release. Listening to native speech across sources helps reveal minor vowel length differences.
The difficulty lies in the quick shift from /ɪ/ to the stressed /æ/ and then a clean, unreleased final /t/. The vowel contrast requires precise tongue height and frontness: /ɪ/ is lax and high, /æ/ is low and front, and the final /t/ requires a quick touch to avoid a syllabic or silent stop. Getting the timing right—short onset, sharp middle, crisp end—helps reduce slurring or blending the sounds together.
Yes, the integrity of the final /t/ matters: it should be a clear, released stop in careful speech, not a voiceless stop merged with the following word. In connected speech, you may hear a light unreleased final /t/ or d-influence in rapid speech, but for precise pronunciation, you maintain a crisp /t/. This keeps the word from blending into in-TAH-kt variants that confuse listeners.
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Intact comes from Latin intactus, formed from in- (not) + tactus (touched) from tangere (to touch). The term originally meant not touched or uninjured in Latin, and entered English via French in the 17th century with the sense of being untouched, unaltered, or whole. Over time, intact broadened to describe objects, states, or conditions that remain whole or undisturbed despite external forces, preserving original structure or function. The root tact- relates to touch, touching, and manipulation; this lineage helps explain its common usage in technical, legal, and everyday language where preserving state is emphasized. First known uses appear in scientific and legal discourse of the early modern period, later expanding to general usage as a precise descriptor for integrity and preservation across contexts such as materials, documents, and bodily integrity.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "intact" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "intact" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "intact"
-act sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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