4 syllables: in, ter, ci, ty. Stress on in.
IN-tur-sit-ee
/ˈɪntɚˌsɪti/
intercity is pronounced IN-tur-sit-ee (/ˈɪntɚˌsɪti/). It has four syllables (in-ter-ci-ty), with the stress on "in". Intercity refers to travel, communication, or activities that occur between cities, rather than within a single urban area. The term is commonly used in transportation, planning, and service contexts to describe routes, connections, or markets that link multiple cities. It implies longer distances and broader geographic scope than intracity work or travel.
Intercity refers to travel, communication, or activities that occur between cities, rather than within a single urban area. The term is commonly used in transportation, planning, and service contexts to describe routes, connections, or markets that link multiple cities. It implies longer distances and broader geographic scope than intracity work or travel.
- You often drop the secondary vowel quality in the first syllable, saying in-TUR-si-tee. Focus on a light, unstressed 'in' and a clear 'tər' before the stressed 'sit' to avoid blending. - You might soften or omit the final 'ee' sound, resulting in 'inter-sit'. Make the ending a gentle, audible 'ee' to signal the final syllable. - You may over-emphasize the middle syllable, producing in-TER-si-tee. Aim for a crisp 'sit' with a short, neutral preceding syllable. To fix: practice slow, then increase speed, isolate 'in-tər-SIT-ee' and record for feedback. - Practice with minimal pairs like 'in-ter-city' vs 'intercity' variations to sharpen the exact vowel qualities and consonant timings.
"The intercity rail network expanded after the government funded new high-speed routes."
"Many intercity buses stop at major hubs, offering transfers to regional routes."
"The company launched an intercity freight service to reduce congestion around metropolitan centers."
Pronounce as in-tər-SIT-ee, with secondary stress on the 'in' prefix and primary stress on the third syllable 'SIT'. IPA: US ˌɪn.tɚˈsɪt.i; UK ˌɪn.təˈsɪt.i; AU ˌɪn.təˈsɪt.i. Start with a light schwa or mid-central vowel on the first syllable, then a clear 'sit' segment, then a final 'ee' as in city. Tip: keep the 't' crisp and avoid flapping in careful speech.
Common mistakes: (1) misplacing stress, saying in-TUR-si-tee instead of IN-ter-SIT-ee; (2) reducing the middle syllable to a schwa or singing it too soft; (3) turning the final 'city' into just 'see-tee' or stuttering the 't' sound. Corrections: emphasize the second syllable with a clear 'sit' (ˈsɪt) and ensure the final 'ee' is light but audible. Practice with slow syllables: in-tər-SIT-ee, then speeding up.
US tends to use a rhotacized schwa in the first syllable (ˌɪn.tɚˈsɪt.i) and a crisp final '-ee' (i). UK may reduce the second vowel slightly more (ˌɪn.təˈsɪt.i) with a non-rhotic 'r' absence. AU often mirrors UK, with a slightly flatter intonation and similar rhoticity considerations, but can feature a more clipped 't' and slightly longer final 'ee'. In all, the primary stress sits on the third syllable, but vowel quality shifts subtly by region. IPA references help lock in accuracy.
The difficulty comes from the sequence of consonants and the three-syllable rhythm: a quick, unstressed first syllable, a stressed mid syllable with a clear 'sit' and a light, trailing 'ee'. Non-native speakers often mispronounce the middle syllable, blend the 't' with adjacent sounds, or mishandle the final vowel by turning it into a syllabic consonant. Focus on maintaining distinct syllables and a crisp 't'.
A unique aspect is maintaining a balanced vowel quality in the first syllable and avoiding vowel reduction that makes the word sound like 'innie-city.' The 'sit' syllable must remain clearly stressed, with the final 'ee' light but present, not silent. Keeping the syllable boundaries clear helps the word stay intelligible in fast speech, especially in announcements or timetables.
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- US: rhotacized or near-rhotic schwa in the first syllable (ˌɪn.tɚˈsɪt.i). Keep the /r/ light if pronounced in some speakers; otherwise, the vowel is the focus. - UK: non-rhotic; avoid an audible /r/ in the first syllable; maintain /ɪ/ and /ə/ quality and clear /sɪ/ in the stressed syllable. - AU: similar to UK, often with flatter intonation; keep the /t/ crisp and the final /i/ as a short /i/ or /iː/ depending on speaker. Emphasize the mid syllable /sɪ/ with exact vowel height. Use IPA references: US ˌɪn.tɚˈsɪt.i, UK ˌɪn.təˈsɪt.i, AU ˌɪn.təˈsɪt.i.
Intercity combines the prefix inter- (Latin in-between, among) with city, first attested in English in the 19th century as a general term for relationships or systems operating between cities. The inter- element dates to Latin inter- and was assimilated into English across centuries to form words indicating between- or among- relationships (international, intercontinental, interstate). City derives from Old French cite, from Latin civitas, meaning a legally organized urban center with governance and walls, evolving to describe a large, permanent settlement. In the 20th century, rapid urbanization and expanded transportation networks fostered specialized terms like intercity to designate services, routes, or freight that span more than one urban area. The word’s earliest print appearances appear in government reports and railway timetables of the late 1800s and early 1900s, with increasing usage as rail and air networks matured to connect multiple cities. Over time, “intercity” has grown to be a standard descriptor in transportation, logistics, commerce, and regional planning, signaling cross-city scope rather than in-city activity.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "intercity" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "intercity" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "intercity"
-ity sounds
-tty sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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