4 syllables: in, ter, wo, ven. Stress on wo.
in-tur-WOH-vuhn
/ˌɪntɚˈwoʊvən/
interwoven is pronounced in-tur-WOH-vuhn (/ˌɪntɚˈwoʊvən/). It has four syllables (in-ter-wo-ven), with the stress on "wo". Interwoven describes things that are woven together so closely or intricately that they are united or interconnected. It emphasizes a complex, interlaced structure or relationship, where different elements are entwined to form a single, cohesive whole. The term often conveys depth of connection, diffusion of influence, or a tapestry-like arrangement.
Interwoven describes things that are woven together so closely or intricately that they are united or interconnected. It emphasizes a complex, interlaced structure or relationship, where different elements are entwined to form a single, cohesive whole. The term often conveys depth of connection, diffusion of influence, or a tapestry-like arrangement.
"The communities’ histories are interwoven, creating a rich cultural tapestry."
"Her life experiences are interwoven with her advocacy work, enriching her perspectives."
"The plot interweaves multiple timelines, complicating but deepening the story."
Break it as in-ter-WO-ven. IPA: US /ˌɪn.təˈwoʊ.vən/, UK /ˌɪn.təˈwəʊ.vən/, AU /ˌɪn.təˈwəʊ.vən/. The primary stress lands on the second syllable of the root vowel cluster: in-ter-WO-ven. Start with a light unstressed 'in' (/ˌɪn/), a schwa-ish /tə/ in 'ter', then the stressed /woʊ/ (US) or /wəʊ/ (UK/AU) in the third syllable, followed by a relaxed /vən/ ending. Ensure the /wo-/ or /wəʊ/ is clear, not merged with the preceding syllable, and finish with a soft, unstressed /ən/.
Common errors include collapsing the third syllable (/woʊ/ or /wəʊ/) into a quick /wo/ or misplacing stress on the first or second syllable. You might also pronounce it as 'inter-woven' with equal stress, or as 'inter-woven' with a dull /ʌ/ instead of the correct /woʊ/ or /wəʊ/ vowel for the stressed syllable. Correction: maintain the secondary stress pattern and clearly articulate the stressed /woʊ/ (US) or /wəʊ/ (UK/AU) nucleus, and keep the final /ən/ short and unstressed.
In US English the stressed vowel in the third syllable is /woʊ/, giving in-tə-WO-ven with a clear long O. In UK and AU, the stressed vowel tends to be /wəʊ/ with a reduced second vowel before the stressed syllable, making in-tə-WO-ven sound slightly more centralized and the 'o' diphthong gliding to /əʊ/. Overall rhythm remains: unstressed syllables, then stressed /woʊ/ or /wəʊ/, then final /ən/.
The difficulty comes from the multi-syllabic stress pattern and the mid-word diphthong transition from /tə/ to /woʊ/ or /wəʊ/ plus the fast sequence of consonants in the middle of the word. The /n/ after /v/ in unstressed finale also challenges non-native timing. Practice targeting the peak of the stressed syllable and the glide from /wo/ to /ven/ to avoid breaking the word into awkward two chunks.
A unique feature is the consecutive 'wo' cluster with a primary stress on the third syllable. People often search about how the /wo/ sound is formed in the context of an unstressed preceding /tə/ and a following /ven/. Focusing on the glide from /w/ to /oʊ/ (US) or /wəʊ/ (UK/AU) helps anchor the word’s core – the long vowel in the stressed nucleus.
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Interwoven stems from the prefix inter- (meaning between, mutually) combined with the verb weave (to form fabric by interlacing threads). The phrase traces to Middle English, where weave itself comes from Old English wefan, related to weaving, binding, and construction of fabric. The prefix inter- began to accumulate figurative senses around interconnection and mutual influence. The earliest uses in English reflect the idea of fabrics or structures being woven together; metaphorical uses to describe relationships or histories being interlaced appear in the late 16th to 18th centuries. By the 19th century, interwoven had solidified as a single adjective describing complex, intertwined relationships or narratives. The term often appears in literary or descriptive prose to convey complexity and unity across elements that are not simply adjacent but deeply fused. The evolution mirrors broader shifts in English toward metaphorical, tapestry-like descriptions of connections, where separate strands contribute to a shared pattern. The phrase is now common in both literary and academic registers, frequently employed to convey the idea of mutual dependence, integrated systems, or cultures whose boundaries blend into one another. In modern usage, interwoven frequently appears in discussions of history, identity, and argumentation, signaling that various components contribute to a collective structure more than to a simple sum of parts.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "interwoven" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "interwoven"
-ven sounds
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