3 syllables: in, ter, view. Stress on in.
/ˈɪntɚˌvju/
Say it backInterview is a formal or informal conversation where one person asks questions to assess another’s qualifications, experience, or fit for a role or purpose. It often involves structured questions, active listening, and response strategies. In essence, an interview is a controlled exchange designed to elicit information and demonstrate suitability in professional or media contexts.
"She prepared thoroughly for the interview and highlighted her achievements."
"The job interview lasted thirty minutes and covered both technical and behavioral questions."
"In a media interview, the host asked about the guest’s recent project."
Official pronunciation is /ˈɪn.tə.vjuː/ in US/UK/AU. Primary stress falls on first syllable 'IN', with the second syllable reduced to /tə/ and the final syllable carrying a strong /vjuː/ glide. Tip: keep the /v/ clear, then smoothly glide into /juː/. Imagine saying 'in- tuh - vyoo' with a light, clipped first syllable and a rounded, elongated final.
Common errors include misplacing stress (saying in-TEH-verse instead of IN-tuh-vyoo), mispronouncing the final syllable as /voo/ or breaking the final /juː/ into /jʊ/ or /ju/ without the proper vowel length. Another frequent slip is blending the /n/ and /t/ too aggressively, causing a dt or nt cluster that sounds like 'intiversity.' To fix: keep the first syllable stressed, clearly articulate the /v/ before the /juː/ glide, and practice a light linking between /tə/ and /vjuː/.
In US English, you’ll hear /ˈɪn.təˌvjuː/ with a pronounced second syllable and a strong /v/ before /juː/. UK and AU accents tend to maintain the three-syllable rhythm but may reduce the second syllable slightly, giving /ˈɪn.tə.vjuː/ with less vowel reduction. Rhoticity differences are minimal for this word; the /r/ is not pronounced in non-rhotic varieties, but the /v/ and final /juː/ glide remain essential. Overall, the key across accents is the clear /v/ + /juː/ sequence and keeping stress on the first syllable.
The difficulty comes from the three-syllable rhythm with a mid-schwa-like /tə/ and a strong consonant cluster /vjuː/ at the end, which can blur in rapid speech. The /t/-/v/ transition requires precise tongue placement: the tongue tip touches the alveolar ridge for /t/, then quickly lowers and reaches for /v/, followed by a smooth /juː/ glide. Practicing the sequencing and keeping the final /juː/ distinct helps prevent run-together speech.
The unique aspect is the /t/ followed by /v/ in quick succession and the /juː/ glide that follows the /v/. Many speakers shorten /tə/ to a near-schwa, which can make the word sound like 'in-tuh-vyoo' instead of the crisper 'IN-tə-vjuː'. Focus on a clean alveolar stop for /t/, ensure the /v/ is voiced and clear, and land the final /juː/ with a rounded lip shape. IPA cues: /ˈɪn.tə.vjuː/.
🗣️ Voice search tip: These questions are optimized for voice search. Try asking your voice assistant any of these questions about "interview"!
The word interview comes from the Old French entrevue, meaning a meeting or meeting place, from entre (between) + voie/voir (to see). In English, entrevue evolved into interview by the 16th century, adopting the sense of a formal or structured questioning session. The term was often used in diplomatic or clerical contexts to describe a face-to-face meeting between parties. The modern sense crystallized in the 19th and 20th centuries, paralleling the rise of employment processes and media journalism, where people are examined or questioned to reveal qualifications, opinions, or facts. Ultimately, interview retains the core idea of a between-person encounter aimed at eliciting information, with the nuance shifting toward professional, evaluative, or journalistic purposes. First known uses appear in English texts during the 1500s, with evolving rendering in print as “entrevue” or “interview” as spelling standardization progressed.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "interview" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "interview" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "interview" and show contrast in usage.
📚 Vocabulary tip: Learning synonyms and antonyms helps you understand nuanced differences in meaning and improves your word choice in speaking and writing.
Words that rhyme with "interview"
-iew sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
🎵 Rhyme tip: Practicing with rhyming words helps you master similar sound patterns and improves your overall pronunciation accuracy.
