3 syllables: ju, bi, lee. Stress on ju.
JOO-buh-lee
/ˈdʒubəˌli/
jubilee is pronounced JOO-buh-lee (/ˈdʒubəˌli/). It has three syllables (ju-bi-lee), with the stress on "ju". Jubilee refers to a special anniversary or celebration, typically marking 50 years, though it can denote any festive observance or jubilant event. The term also historically denotes a religious or ceremonial year. It carries a tone of grandeur and public festivity, often tied to communal rejoicing or formal commemorations.
Jubilee refers to a special anniversary or celebration, typically marking 50 years, though it can denote any festive observance or jubilant event. The term also historically denotes a religious or ceremonial year. It carries a tone of grandeur and public festivity, often tied to communal rejoicing or formal commemorations.
"The city declared a jubilee to celebrate fifty years of independence and invited residents to a grand parade."
"Her jubilee came after decades of service, and she was honored with a ceremonial banquet."
"The church organized a jubilee year, with special masses and community outreach."
Pronounce it JU-bee-lee with the primary stress on JU. IPA US/UK/AU: ˈdʒuː.bɪ.li. Start with a voiced postalveolar affricate /d͡ʒ/ as in judge, then a long /uː/ vowel, followed by a reduced /bɪ/ and a final /li/ with a light /l/ and short /i/. Mouth position: start with the lips rounded for /uː/, then relax into /b/ + /ɪ/; end with the tongue the tip against the alveolar ridge for /l/ and a relaxed /i:/ sound. Audio reference: [native-pronunciation resources or pronunciation dictionary audio can be used for accuracy].
Common errors include misplacing stress (e.g., JU-bi-lee vs ju-BI-lee) and mispronouncing the middle syllable as a long /iː/ or a short /ɪ/; many learners also blend the /ɡ/ or confuse /d͡ʒ/ with /ʒ/. Correction: keep primary stress on the first syllable and use /bɪ/ for the middle syllable; ensure a clean /liː/ ending with a short /i/. Practicing with minimal pairs like /ˈdʒuː.bɪ.li/ vs /ˈdʒuː.bɪ.li/ helps monitor subtle vowel length and consonant clarity.
In US, UK, and Australian English, the pronunciation centers on /ˈdʒuː.bɪ.li/ with initial /d͡ʒ/ and /uː/; the main variations lie in vowel quality: US tends to a more rounded /uː/ and slightly flatter final /i/; UK tends to crisper /bɪ/ and a clear /li/; AU can be similar to UK but with a more centralized vowel in the second syllable and a softer final /i/. Overall stress remains on the first syllable across regions.
Jubilee challenges include sustaining a long /uː/ that blends into /bɪ/ without inserting a noticeable pause, and coordinating the light, quick /l/ at the end while keeping the final /i/ unstressed. The sequence /dʒuː/ can sound like /d͡ʒu/ or /d͡ʒjuː/ if the lips don’t round properly. Focus on a crisp /d͡ʒ/ onset, even /uː/ quality, and a clear, short /bɪ/ followed by a relaxed /li/.
A key nuance is the emphasis on the first syllable; learners who try to stress the middle or end syllables risk a dated or lyrical feel. The middle syllable /bɪ/ is short and unstressed, so avoid giving it extra length. Keeping the /l/ light and the final /i/ short helps maintain natural cadence and prevents a sing-song or over-enunciated finish.
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- US: Slightly rounder and fuller /uː/, more rhoticity in connected speech; keep /l/ light and fast. - UK: Clear /bɪ/ with crisper /l/; less vowel rounding on final syllable; ensure non-rhoticity affects the following tonal contour. - AU: Similar to UK but with a more centralized /ɪ/ in /bɪ/ and a slightly flatter /uː/; keep the final /i/ tight. - IPA references: /ˈdʒuː.bɪ.li/ across accents; note minor vowel quality shifts and consonant clarity. - Practical tips: nasalize less; maintain precise lip rounding for /uː/; practice short, rapid transitions between syllables to maintain rhythm.
Jubilee comes from Old French jubilee, which itself derives from Late Latin jūbīläeus, from Hebrew יוֹבִיל (yôbîl) meaning ‘ram or trumpets of a festive year,’ related to the Hebrew Yovel jubilee year of ancient Israel. The original biblical Jubilee (Yovel) was a ceremonial sabbatical year occurring every fiftieth year, during which land rested, slaves were freed, and debts were forgiven. In medieval and Early Modern Europe the term broadened beyond a strictly religious year to denote any grand festival or anniversary. By the 17th century, English usage had shifted to mean a significant anniversary celebration, especially the 50th, while retaining its ceremonial connotations in religious contexts. In contemporary usage, jubilee often signals large-scale public celebration, sometimes linked to historical anniversaries, and occasionally used for non-literal milestones (e.g., corporate jubilees). The word thus evolved from a precise liturgical concept to a general term for jubilant commemoration across cultures and languages, maintaining an undertone of communal relief, gratitude, and celebration.” ,
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Words that rhyme with "jubilee"
-bby sounds
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