3 syllables: ki, lo, gram. Stress on ki.
KIL-uh-gram
/ˈkɪləˌɡɹæm/
kilogram is pronounced KIL-uh-gram (/ˈkɪləˌɡɹæm/). It has three syllables (ki-lo-gram), with the stress on "ki". Kilogram is the base unit of mass in the International System of Units, defined by fixing the Planck constant. It is commonly used to measure weight in science, commerce, and everyday life, though the term is also used in compound phrases like “kilogram of rice.” The word itself denotes a mass quantity, with stress typically on the second syllable. It has specialized phonetic properties that can challenge non-native speakers, especially in rapid speech.
Kilogram is the base unit of mass in the International System of Units, defined by fixing the Planck constant. It is commonly used to measure weight in science, commerce, and everyday life, though the term is also used in compound phrases like “kilogram of rice.” The word itself denotes a mass quantity, with stress typically on the second syllable. It has specialized phonetic properties that can challenge non-native speakers, especially in rapid speech.
- You often stress the wrong syllable. Fix: keep primary stress on the first syllable: KIL-o-gram, with a quick, light middle. - The middle vowel can collapse. Do not rush the /ə/; keep it as a short, soft vowel before the /ɡ/. - Final cluster /ɡræm/ can become /ɡræm/ with a rushed /æ/ or weak /m/. Aim for a crisp /ræm/ with an audible final /m/.
"The kilogram is the standard unit used for laboratory mass measurements."
"She ordered a kilogram of apples to bake a pie."
"In science class, we weighed the sample to 3.5 kilograms."
Pronounce as /ˈkɪl.əˌɡræm/ in US and UK English, with primary stress on the first syllable and secondary on the third? Wait: correct pattern is two-stress: /ˈkɪl.əˌɡræm/ where the first syllable carries primary stress and the third syllable has secondary? In standard English, kilogram is three syllables with primary stress on the first: /ˈkɪl.ə.ɡræm/. The middle /ə/ is a schwa, light and quick. Try to keep the /g/ in the onset of the final syllable strong but not explosive, and finish with a crisp /m/. Audio reference: listen to native pronunciations on Pronounce or Forvo, focusing on the first syllable vowel and the clear /ɡræm/ ending.
Common errors: misplacing stress (giving equal weight to all syllables), turning /ɡræm/ into /ɡɹæm/ with an extra consonant blend, or slurring the middle /ə/ into the adjacent vowels. Correct by maintaining a light, quick middle syllable with a clear, hard /ɡ/ and a clean final /ræm/. Practice with minimal pairs like kilo- vs kilo- to isolate stresses. Record yourself and compare to a model pronunciation.
In US/UK, kilogram is /ˈkɪl.əˌɡræm/ or /ˈkɪl.ə.ɡræm/; Australian typically mirrors UK/US with the same three-syllable pattern, but vowels can be shorter and rhoticity less pronounced in some speakers. The /ɡræm/ ending remains straightforward in all. The main differences lie in the vowel reduction of the middle syllable and the length of the /ɪ/ in first syllable, as well as the speed at which the middle syllable is spoken.
Because it combines a closed onset in /kɪl/ with a reduced middle syllable /ə/ and a strong, consonant-heavy final /ɡræm/. The sequence requires precise timing: a quick schwa, then a crisp /ɡ/ onset followed by /ræm/. The word also contains closely connected sounds where the tongue must shift from the alveolar /l/ to the velar /ɡ/ without creating a lull in the rhythm. IPA cues help you lock the transitions.
The unique aspect is the three-syllable rhythm that blends a light middle vowel with a solid onset of the final syllable. The challenge lies in maintaining crisp termination of /ɡræm/ after a light /ə/; many speakers drop the middle vowel or shorten it too much in fast speech, which can muddy the final /ræm/. Focus on a stable /ə/ before the /ɡ/.
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- US: rhoticity is minor here; you’ll hear a clear /ɪ/ in the first syllable; keep /ɡræm/ as a hard cluster. - UK: slightly shorter vowels; it may sound clipped; keep the /ə/ short but full. - AU: similar to UK/US; watch vowel quality and vowel length; maintain three distinct syllables. IPA anchors: /ˈkɪl.ə.ɡræm/.
Kilogram comes from the French kilogramme, ultimately derived from the Greek kleidos meaning ‘scale, balance’ and gramma meaning ‘scale, weight, letter.’ The modern unit name was standardized in the metric system during the late 18th to early 19th century as the system sought universal physical constants and reproducible standards. The term kilogramme appeared in French in the 1790s as part of the metric reforms; it was adopted by science communities across Europe in the 19th century and globally with the establishment of the International System of Units (SI). Its symbol, kg, is derived directly from kilogramme. The kilogram’s definition was originally tied to a platinum-iridium artifact held by the International Bureau of Weights and Measures; in 2019, the definition shifted to a fixed numerical value of the Planck constant, ensuring long-term stability and universality. First known use in English literature traces to the early 19th century in scientific texts about SI units and metric systems.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "kilogram" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "kilogram" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "kilogram" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "kilogram"
-ram 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.
