2 syllables: Je, june. Stress on june.
jej-OON
/ˌdʒɛˈdʒun/
Jejune is pronounced jej-OON (/ˌdʒɛˈdʒun/). It has two syllables (Je-june), with the stress on "june". Jejune is an adjective describing ideas, writing, or tastes that are trivial, dull, or simplistic; it can imply immature or uninspired quality. In formal usage, it often critiques content that lacks depth, coherence, or originality. The term can also carry a slightly archaic or ironic tone when applied to serious topics.
adjectiveJejune is an adjective describing ideas, writing, or tastes that are trivial, dull, or simplistic; it can imply immature or uninspired quality. In formal usage, it often critiques content that lacks depth, coherence, or originality. The term can also carry a slightly archaic or ironic tone when applied to serious topics.
"Her jejune remarks failed to address the complex financial implications of the proposal."
"The editor dismissed the manuscript as jejune, lacking nuance and originality."
"His jejune worldview revealed itself in oversimplified solutions to intricate problems."
Pronounce it as juh-JOON, with the primary stress on the second syllable. In IPA: US/UK/AU: /dʒəˈdʒuːn/ or /dʒɪˈdʒuːn/. Start with a soft dʒ (the J sound), then a schwa or short i in the first syllable, followed by a long uː in the stressed second syllable. The mouth opens slightly for the first syllable, then closes more for the long /uː/ vowel. Think ‘jeh-JOON’ with emphasis on JOON. Audio resources: hear the /dʒ/ sound at Forvo or YouGlish for natural usage.
Two common errors: 1) Ending with a light, short /n/ instead of a clean, nasal /n/ after a long /uː/. 2) Misplacing the stress as on the first syllable (dʒə-JOON vs djə-joon). Correction: keep the heel of the tongue high for /dʒ/, use a clear /ə/ or /ɪ/ in the first syllable, and hold the /uː/ long and tense through the second syllable. Practice with minimal pairs to fix stress and vowel length.
In US/UK/AU, the core is /ˈdʒuːn/ with a preceding schwa or short i in the first syllable. Rhotic differences don’t alter /dʒ/ or /uː/. UK often uses /dʒuːn/ with a slightly clipped first syllable and non-rhotic articulation; US commonly has a more pronounced schwa before the stressed /uː/ and a stronger alveolar release. Australian tends toward a centralized or rounded /uː/ with similar stress, but vowel quality can be broader. Overall, the vowel /uː/ quality and the first syllable’s vowel may vary subtly across regions.
The difficulty lies in the two adjacent syllables with a long /uː/ and the initial cluster /dʒ/ followed by a subtle unstressed vowel in the first syllable. The main challenge is ensuring the vowel in the first syllable is reduced or shortened without muting the /dʒ/ onset and delivering a clean, long /uː/ in the second syllable. Also, the spelling can cue an incorrect /iː/ or /juː/; rely on the /dʒ/ onset and /uː/ nucleus.
No, Jejune is pronounced with three sounds: /dʒ/ for the initial consonant cluster, a reduced first vowel in the first syllable (ə or ɪ), and the long /uː/ in the second syllable, followed by /n/. There is no silent letter. Make sure you articulate the /dʒ/ clearly and sustain the /uː/ to avoid a clipped ending.
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Jejune comes from Latin jejunus, meaning 'empty, dry, fasting' and by extension ‘immature’ or ‘hollow.’ The Latin root jejunus appears in early Latin medical and moral texts to describe a lack of nourishment, both physically and intellectually. In English, jejune emerged in the 17th century via Medieval Latin jejunus and Old French jejun, carrying over the sense of emptiness or barren content. By the 18th century, the word shifted to describe ideas and writings that are not just lacking in depth but also notable for being tedious or childish. Over time, jejune gained a slightly ironic or pejorative connotation in literary criticism and academic discourse, especially when applied to debates or arguments that appear simplistic. While still used in formal or satirical contexts, its tone can be antiquated or literary, and contemporary usage often emphasizes the lack of intellectual substance as a critique rather than a mere lack of excitement.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Jejune" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Jejune" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Jejune"
-oon sounds
-une sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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