4 syllables: in, ten, si, ty. Stress on ten.
in-TEN-suh-tee
/ɪˈntɛnsəti/
intensity is pronounced in-TEN-suh-tee (/ɪˈntɛnsəti/). It has four syllables (in-ten-si-ty), with the stress on "ten". Intensity refers to the quality of being strong, powerful, or highly concentrated. It denotes a high level of force, magnitude, or emotion, often visible in actions, sensations, or expressions. In various contexts, intensity can describe physical brightness, sensory experience, or dramatic emphasis, lasting for a notable duration relative to the surrounding environment.
Intensity refers to the quality of being strong, powerful, or highly concentrated. It denotes a high level of force, magnitude, or emotion, often visible in actions, sensations, or expressions. In various contexts, intensity can describe physical brightness, sensory experience, or dramatic emphasis, lasting for a notable duration relative to the surrounding environment.
- You might misplace the main stress on the first or third syllable; remember the stress is on the second syllable: in-TEN-si-ty. - The middle consonant cluster /tən/ can blur into /tɛn/ if you don’t keep the alveolar stop crisp; practice the /t/ and /n/ separately before blending. - The final syllable /ti/ can become a longer /tiː/ in slow or careful speech; keep it light and quick to reflect natural speech. - Mispronouncing the first vowel as /ɪ/ in contrast to /ɪ/ vs /i/ in certain accents; aim for a short, lax /ɪ/ followed by a clear /n/ and /t/.
"The intensity of the storm forced evacuations and left widespread damage."
"Her voice rose in intensity as she argued her point with conviction."
"The workout trainer emphasized intensity to maximize calorie burn."
Pronounce it as in- TEN-si-ty with three syllables and primary stress on the second syllable: /ɪnˈtɛn.sɪ.ti/. Start with a light initial /ɪ/ (short i), then a clear /n/ and the stressed /ˈtɛn/ with a tense short-e vowel. End with a light /si/ followed by /ti/. Mouth: keep the jaw relatively relaxed, tongue close to the alveolar ridge for /t/ and /n/, and finish with a crisp /t/ before the final /i/. For a natural cadence, avoid over-enunciating the final syllable; let it trail a touch. Listen for the rhythm: unstressed, stressed, unstressed, unstressed.
Common errors: (1) Shifting stress to the first syllable as /ˈɪn.tɛn.sɪ.ti/—you should keep the primary stress on the second syllable. (2) Merging the middle syllable into /tɛnˈsi/ or pronouncing /ti/ as /tiː/ in fast speech; keep the final as a light /ti/ or /ti/ depending on tempo. (3) Dropping or softening the /n/ or mixing up the /t/ with a /d/ in casual speech; aim for a crisp alveolar /t/. Corrective tips: rehearse the exact IPA sequence /ɪnˈtɛn.sɪ.ti/, exaggerate it slowly, then reduce to natural speed while maintaining the second-stress. Practice with minimal pairs to stabilize the beat: in- vs. int- is a good contrast in other words, just not here.
Across US, UK, and AU, the core syllable pattern remains, but vowel qualities shift. US typically features a short /ɪ/ in the first vowel and a clear /ˈtɛn/ with rhotic influence in other words; UK often shows a shorter, clipped first vowel and slightly stronger non-rhoticity, giving a crisper /ˈtɛn.sɪ.ti/; Australian tends toward a flat, slightly centralized /ɪ/ and a softer /ti/ at the end. The stress remains on the second syllable in all three, but the speed and vowel length vary with vowel quality; you’ll notice subtle lengthening before the final syllable in slower speech in all accents.
The difficulty lies in the mid-word cluster and the exact placement of primary stress on the second syllable, combined with a short, unstressed final syllable. The /t/ in the middle must be crisp, not flapped, and the sequence /-ɛn.sɪ-/ requires careful articulation to avoid merging sounds. Additionally, the contrast between /ɪ/ and /iː/ in some accents can subtly alter the final syllable. Practicing the three-syllable rhythm and maintaining a steady pace across fast speech helps stabilize the pronunciation.
One unique aspect is the need to maintain distinct, even timing across three syllables with a pronounced second-stress notch; the middle /ɛn/ must be clearly enunciated while not dragging the surrounding syllables. This often trips speakers who over-emphasize the first syllable or shorten the middle too aggressively in casual speech. Keeping a steady beat—in-tens-i-ty—helps you preserve the natural cadence and avoid a rushed final /ti/.
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- US: emphasize the /ɪ/ in the first syllable but keep the following /n/ and /t/ crisp; final /i/ is light. - UK: potential slight rounding of the /ɪ/ to a centralized vowel and a more clipped /ˈtɛn.sɪ.ti/. - AU: more centralized /ɪ/ and a softer /ti/; keep rhythm steady and avoid overlengthening the final syllable. Use IPA references: /ɪnˈtɛn.sɪ.ti/ (US/UK) versus AU /ɪnˈtɛn.sɪ.ti/. - General tip: practice with minimal pairs focusing on the middle /t/ and final /ti/ to prevent vowel length differences.
The word intensity comes from the Late Latin intensitas, from intensus (intense, stretched tight) and the verb intendere (to stretch toward). The prefix in- conveys “toward” or “in,” and the root tendere means “to stretch.” Early English usage appeared in the 15th century, originally in mathematical and physical senses describing the degree of (brightness, force, or density). Over time, intensity broadened to emotional and qualitative domains, such as the intensity of flavor, sensation, or activity. The shift from concrete measures to abstract experiential qualities occurred as scientific vocabulary permeated everyday speech in the 18th and 19th centuries, expanding “intensity” to include psychological and dramatic dimensions. First known uses appear in scientific treatises and sermons, gradually becoming common in literature and media, reflecting its versatility as a descriptor of strength, concentration, or seriousness in various phenomena and performances.
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Words that rhyme with "intensity"
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