4 syllables: i, so, me, tric. Stress on me.
eye-suh-MET-rik
/ˌaɪsəˈmɛtɹɪk/
isometric is pronounced eye-suh-MET-rik (/ˌaɪsəˈmɛtɹɪk/). It has four syllables (i-so-me-tric), with the stress on "me". Isometric refers to a form of exercise or measurement in which muscle length remains constant while tension changes, or to figures and mappings preserving distances. It implies equal measurement or equality of dimensions, often used in geometry and biology. The term combines iso- (equal) with metric (measure) and is commonly used in technical, scientific, and fitness contexts.
Isometric refers to a form of exercise or measurement in which muscle length remains constant while tension changes, or to figures and mappings preserving distances. It implies equal measurement or equality of dimensions, often used in geometry and biology. The term combines iso- (equal) with metric (measure) and is commonly used in technical, scientific, and fitness contexts.
- Overemphasizing the initial 'eye' (/aɪ/) and making the word sound like iii-sole-metric; instead, lead with a light /aɪ/ then a schwa before the stressed /ˈmɛ/. - Dropping the schwa in the second syllable; keep a subtle /ə/ so you don’t create a two-syllable word inadvertently. - Turning the final /ɪk/ into a full /ɪk/ or /ɪk/ with more vowel duration; keep it short and clipped to finish clearly. - Neglecting the tertiary stress rhythm; remember the pattern is unstressed - unstressed - stressed - unstressed.
"- In anatomy, isometric contractions keep muscle length unchanged while tension rises."
"- The gym routine includes isometric holds, like planks, to build core strength."
"- The engineer performed an isometric scale drawing where all dimensions remained proportional."
You pronounce it as /ˌaɪ.səˈmɛ.trɪk/. The primary stress is on the third syllable “methyl”-like stress, forming i- SO-me-try? Actually: is-i-MET-ric with secondary stress on the first syllable. Break it into three syllables: i-so-MET-ric. Start with “ai” as in eye, then “suh” with a schwa, then “MET” in uppercase with a crisp t, and finish with “rik.” IPA: US /ˌaɪ.səˈmɛ.trɪk/; UK /ˌaɪ.səˈmɛ.trɪk/; AU /ˌaɪ.səˈmɛ.trɪk/.
Common errors include stressing the first or second syllable instead of the third (i-so-MET-ric rather than is-o-MET-ric), and treating the middle vowel as a full ‘ee’ rather than a schwa. Another mistake is softening the final -ic to -ick in American speech. Correct these by emphasizing the third syllable with a clear, crisp /ˈmɛ/ and keeping the final /-rɪk/ light and quick.
In US and UK, the primary stress remains on the third syllable: is-o-MET-ric, with the middle vowel as a schwa /ə/. US tends to be slightly more rhotic and crisp on the r, while UK can be marginally non-rhotic in non-rhotic readings but still says /ˈmɛ.trɪk/. Australian often mirrors US in vowel quality, but may show a more centralized /ə/ and a slightly flatter intonation. Overall, the rhythm stays similar: two unstressed syllables before the stressed /ˈmɛ/.
The difficulty lies in the multi-syllabic rhythm and the mixed vowel sounds: the middle vowel is a schwa, which can be underpronounced, and the final -tric is a lighter, clipped /trɪk/. The cluster /səˈmɛ/ requires careful tongue placement to avoid turning it into /siˈmɛ/. Additionally, the initial 'eye' vowel /aɪ/ can blend with the following /ə/ if you speak quickly. Focus on crisp /ˈmɛ/ and a short /ɪk/ ending for clarity.
There are no silent letters in isometric, but the first syllable has a weak, unstressed vowel that can be reduced to a schwa. The second syllable houses the primary stressed vowel /ˈmɛ/ and the last syllable ends with /trɪk/, where the /t/ and /r/ are distinct but the /ɪ/ can be shortened in rapid speech. Ensure you clearly articulate /ˈmɛ/ and keep /trɪk/ light and quick.
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- US: Maintain rhotic-leaning r if you’re using an American accent; the final /rɪk/ is light but present in careful enunciation. - UK: Slightly less rhotic, with a crisp /trɪk/ ending; keep the /ə/ in the second syllable softer but audible. - AU: Similar to US with subtle vowel raising in /ɪ/ of the final syllable; keep rhythm steady and avoid flattening the /ɛ/ to /e/. - Reference IPA in all practice and ensure you’re not conflating with similar terms like isotropic or isometric contraction in different fields.
Isometric comes from the Greek iso- meaning equal or same (as in isochronous, isotropy) and -metric from metric, derived from the Greek -metron meaning a measure or measure. The term entered English technical usage in the 19th century, originally in geometry and physics to describe size-preserving transformations and measurements. In art and architecture, the concept of isometry related to drawings where distances are true to scale. In medicine and physiology, isometric contractions describe muscle tension without joint movement, contrasting with isotonic contractions where length changes. The word’s first known uses appear in mathematical texts describing transformations that preserve distances, and later in biomechanics and fitness literature as exercises emphasize static holds. The evolution reflects a shift from purely geometric meaning to applications in physical training, computer graphics, and engineering, where preserving spatial relationships is crucial. The core idea—equality of measurement—remains central through its history across disciplines.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "isometric" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "isometric" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "isometric" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "isometric"
-tic 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.
{"sections":[{"title":"## Sound-by-Sound Breakdown","content":["- /aɪ/ as in eye; glide to /sə/ with a neutral schwa; /ˈmɛ/ is stressed with an open-mid front vowel; /trɪk/ ends with a quick /ɪ/ then /k/.","- Tongue: first vowel high-mid to low; second syllable uses a relaxed tongue neutral; third syllable uses front-high position for /ɛ/.","- Lip/Jaw: slight lip rounding for /aɪ/; jaw lowers for /mɛ/; /t/ is alveolar stop with a light release; /ɹ/ approximant in some accents is light or omitted; final /k/ is a voiceless velar stop." ]},{"title":"## Accent Variations","content":["US: rhotic; may have crisper /ɹ/; stress remains on MET; schwa pronounced clearly.","UK: similar stress; slightly less rhotic; /ə/ softer; final /ɪk/ quick.","AU: US-like rhythm; /ɪ/ in final syllable can be shorter; vowels a bit more centralized." ]},{"title":"## Practice Sequence","content":["- Minimal pairs: isometric vs isotropic; isometric vs isotonic (context ensures distinction).","- Syllable drills: practice i-so-MET-rɪk with even tempo; focus on 3 jog steps per second.","- Context sentences: ‘The isometric transformation preserves distances.’ and ‘Isometric contractions hold a position without changing length.’"]},{"title":"## Mastery Checklist","content":["- Articulatory positions: crisp /ˈmɛ/; keep /t/ and /r/ light and separate.","- Acoustic rhyming: ensure rhymes with isometric in recordings; check that final syllable is not elongated.","- Stress/rhythm: maintain primary stress on the third syllable with stable tempo across contexts."]}]}
