2 syllables: kel, vin. Stress on kel.
KEL-vuhn
/ˈkɛlvən/
kelvin is pronounced KEL-vuhn (/ˈkɛlvən/). It has two syllables (kel-vin), with the stress on "kel". Kelvin is a unit of thermodynamic temperature and a surname or given name, pronounced with emphasis on the first syllable. In physics context it denotes the absolute temperature scale, while in names it identifies a person or place. The pronunciation favors clear, single-tap articulation of the two syllables, avoiding secondary stress. It is commonly used in technical writing and in addressing scientists or engineers.
Kelvin is a unit of thermodynamic temperature and a surname or given name, pronounced with emphasis on the first syllable. In physics context it denotes the absolute temperature scale, while in names it identifies a person or place. The pronunciation favors clear, single-tap articulation of the two syllables, avoiding secondary stress. It is commonly used in technical writing and in addressing scientists or engineers.
- You often shorten or flatten the first vowel, turning /ˈkɛlvɪn/ into /ˈkælvən/ or /ˈkɛlvən/. To fix: keep the /ɛ/ crisp and avoid reducing /ɪ/ to a schwa in rapid speech. - Some speakers glide to /eɪ/ in the first syllable or add an extra vowel between /l/ and /v/: resist this; keep it tight /lv/ cluster. - Mispronunciation of the final /n/ as an /ŋ/ in connected speech; ensure tip of tongue taps the alveolar ridge to produce a light /n/ not a velar nasal. - In rapid scientific talk, you might compress to /ˈkɛlvɪ/ or drop the second syllable; practice two-syllable pacing to preserve clarity. - When translating from languages with different r-sounds or vowels, you may default to an English- or non-native vowel system; rehearse with minimal pairs focusing on /ɛ/ and /ɪ/ to stabilize the vowels.
"The kelvin scale starts at absolute zero."
"She bought a thermometer calibrated in kelvin for precision measurements."
"In many labs, temperatures are reported in kelvin rather than Celsius."
Pronounce it as KEL-vin, with primary stress on the first syllable. IPA: US/UK/AU: /ˈkɛlvɪn/. Start with a clear 'k' sound, then the short e as in 'bed', followed by a light 'l', a short 'i' as in 'sit', and finish with a soft 'n'. Think of the two syllables cleanly: KEL- (strong) + vin (weaker), and avoid any extra vowel at the end.
Common errors include misplacing the stress (saying 'kel-vin' with weak first syllable), elongating the vowel (pronouncing 'kel-veen'), or adding an extra vowel at the end (kel-veen). Correct those by keeping the /ɛ/ short, ensure the /l/ is light, and end with a crisp /n/. Practice with minimal pairs like 'kelp' vs 'kelvin' to feel the distinct vowel and consonant sequence.
In US/UK/AU, the primary stress remains on the first syllable: /ˈkɛlvɪn/. The vowel in /ɛ/ is slightly open in American English and can be marginally closer to /e/ in some UK pronunciations. Rhoticity does not affect kelvin’s initial consonants, but您 may hear subtle differences in the following vowel: AU tends to maintain a slightly tighter lip rounding on /ɪ/ than some US accents, and the /n/ can be lightly syllabic in rapid speech.
The challenge lies in maintaining a crisp two-syllable rhythm with stable /ɛ/ and /ɪ/ vowels and a light final /n/. Many speakers assimilate the /l/ too strongly or insert an extra vowel, turning it into /ˈkɛlɪ-vən/ or /ˈkeɪl-vɪn/. Also, some languages lack the native 'kel' onset, leading to initial vowel-starting approximations. Focus on a short, clear /ɛ/ and a clean /lv/ cluster without suction after the /l/.
Kelvin has no silent letters and a straightforward stress pattern: primary stress on the first syllable, /ˈkɛlvɪn/. Some learners may falsely add an extra syllable or reduce the second vowel to a schwa; resist that by delivering a crisp /ɪ/ in the second syllable and ending with an explicit /n/. Visualize it as two crisp beats: KEL- VIN.
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- US: keep /ɛ/ as a lax open front vowel, ensure /lv/ is clean and the /ɪ/ is short and clipped. Do not round lips for /ɪ/. - UK: maintain non-rhoticity; the /ɹ/ is not involved; focus on a crisp /l/ and a shorter /ɪ/; the /v/ remains voiced with steady airflow. - AU: similar to US, but some speakers may reduce the /ɪ/ slightly and have a lighter /n/ at the end; practice with a slightly tighter jaw to avoid vowel lengthening. - Common vowel shifts: avoid Americanizing /ɛ/ to /e/; keep it as a mid-low front vowel; keep lip position relaxed, not rounded. Use IPA anchors /ˈkɛlvɪn/ across accents to maintain consistency.
Kelvin derives from the Scottish physicist William Thomson, who was later titled Lord Kelvin, who introduced the absolute temperature scale in the 19th century. The term Kelvin was adopted to honor his work in thermodynamics and statistical mechanics. Its etymology traces to Thomson’s surname, which itself has roots in the Scottish Gaelic name Tomàs, adapted into English. The concept of Kelvin as a unit emerged in scientific discourse of the 1840s–1860s, with symbol K established by the International System of Units (SI). First widely used in scientific literature as a measure of absolute temperature, Kelvin has since become standard in physics, chemistry, and engineering contexts. In common usage, Kelvin also appears as a surname and is used as a given name or to denote places or institutions named in honor of Lord Kelvin.
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Help others use "kelvin" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "kelvin" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "kelvin" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "kelvin"
-ven sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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