2 syllables: Jo, ey. Stress on Jo.
JOH-ee
/ˈdʒoʊi/
Joey is pronounced JOH-ee (/ˈdʒoʊi/). It has two syllables (Jo-ey), with the stress on "Jo". Joey is a proper noun referring to a male kangaroo or a familiar name/diminutive for Joseph. In conversational English, it also denotes a young marsupial observed in Australia. The term is commonly used as a nickname or term of endearment, and can appear in casual dialogue or media titles.
nounJoey is a proper noun referring to a male kangaroo or a familiar name/diminutive for Joseph. In conversational English, it also denotes a young marsupial observed in Australia. The term is commonly used as a nickname or term of endearment, and can appear in casual dialogue or media titles.
"I bought a plush Joey at the zoo gift shop."
"Joey grew up in the outback and learned to box naturally."
"He introduced himself as Joey, and everyone laughed at the nickname."
Joey is pronounced as two syllables: /ˈdʒoʊ.i/ in US English and /ˈdʒəʊ.i/ in UK English; Australian often resembles /ˈdʒɔɪ.i/ depending on the speaker. The primary stress is on the first syllable, with the first vowel forming a long vowel sound, followed by a clear 'ee' offglide in the second syllable. Mouth position: start with the voiced palato-alveolar affricate /dʒ/ as in 'judge', then glide to a long /oʊ/ or /əʊ/ before the final /i/. Audio reference: imagine saying 'joe' quickly, then add a light 'ee'.
Common errors include pronouncing as a single syllable, saying /ˈdʒɔɪ/ (like 'joy') without the second syllable, or using a reduced vowel in the first syllable. Correct by producing /ˈdʒoʊ.i/ (US) or /ˈdʒəʊ.i/ (UK) with a fuller /oʊ/ or /əʊ/ then a distinct /i/ at the end. Keep the /dʒ/ onset and ensure a clean light gliding into the second vowel, rather than merging into a diphthong that collapses the /i/.
US English favors a strong /ˈdʒoʊ.i/ with a clear /oʊ/ diphthong and a slightly stronger initial vowel; UK often uses /ˈdʒəʊ.i/ with a more centralized first vowel and a tighter /əʊ/ glide; Australian typically aligns with US but can show a more centralized or condensed first syllable depending on speaker, sometimes approaching /ˈdʒɔɪ.i/. The presence of rhotic vs non-rhotic influence is minimal here, as the word doesn’t include rhotic consonants. IPA guidance helps maintain cross-dialect consistency.
The difficulty centers on two points: achieving the two-syllable rhythm quickly and keeping the /i/ at the end distinct from the preceding /i/ or glide. The initial /dʒ/ must be crisp, and the /oʊ/ or /əʊ/ should start with a wide jaw opening but close toward the /i/. Many speakers merge the vowels or reduce the final /i/ in casual speech; practice separating the vowels with a slight pause and then blending. IPA tips help solidify the two-phoneme sequence.
The standard pattern is primary stress on the first syllable: /ˈdʒoʊ.i/ (US) or /ˈdʒəʊ.i/ (UK). Pitch typically remains flat to slightly rising into the second syllable in neutral statements, with a light downward end in questions. The two-syllable structure makes the vowel transitions noticeable, so practice emphasizing the first syllable without over-extending it, then a brisk but crisp second syllable. The unique aspect is the intact second syllable /i/ instead of a reduced vowel.
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Joey originates from the AustralianEnglish usage to describe a young kangaroo. The term as a diminutive for Joseph emerged in broader English-speaking contexts in the 20th century, leveraging the familiar -ey suffix common in nicknames (Jo, Joe, Joey). In Australian English, joey is first and foremost a marsupial juvenile term used in wildlife and education contexts. The name Joseph itself traces back to Hebrew Yosef, meaning “God will increase,” with the -ey suffix frequently used in English as a casual nickname marker. The spread of the name Joey into popular culture—via fictional characters, actors, and entertainers—consolidated its use as a friendly, informal proper noun. First known uses as a marsupial term appear in early descriptions of kangaroo offspring, with the term becoming widely recognized in late 19th to early 20th century Australian texts and later global media references. The flexibility of Joey in modern English spans usage as a given name and as a common noun for a young kangaroo, maintaining an approachable, upbeat connotation across varieties of English.
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Help others use "Joey" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "Joey" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Joey" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Joey"
-oey sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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