3 syllables: kil, o, grams. Stress on kil.
/ˈkɪləˌɡɹæmz/
Say it backKilograms is the plural form of the unit kilogram, a metric unit of mass equal to one thousand grams. It is widely used in science, industry, and everyday measurement. The word combines the symbol kg with the plural suffix -s, and its pronunciation centers on the stress pattern and syllable compression typical of metric terms.
"The package weighs two kilograms."
"In science labs, you’ll usually measure mass in kilograms."
"She lifted the box with about five kilograms of cargo."
Pronounce as /ˈkɪl.əˌɡræmz/ (US/UK) with primary stress on the first syllable kilo- and secondary stress on -grams. Start with a clear /k/ release, then a short /ɪ/ as in kit, followed by /l/ with a light tongue touch. The second syllable /ə/ is a schwa, then /ɡræmz/ with a hard g as in go and final /z/ voiced. Listen for the slight reduction in the middle syllable and the final z sound.
Common errors: misplacing stress (emphasizing kilo- or -grams inconsistently), mispronouncing the /ɡ/ as /k/ or /d͡ʒ/, and pronouncing the final /z/ as /s/ in casual speech. Correction: keep kilo- with primary stress on the first syllable and ensure a voiced /ɡ/ before /ræmz/. End with a clear voiced /z/ or /z/ after /m/. Practice saying /ˈkɪl.əˌɡræmz/ slowly, then blend to natural speed.
In US English, /ˈkɪl.əˌɡræmz/ with a rhotic /r/ in earth, clearer articulation of /ɡr/. UK English keeps /ˈkɪl.əˌɡræmz/ but with non-rhoticity, so the /r/ is less pronounced unless followed by a vowel. Australian English similar to UK but may have slightly broader vowels in kilo- and a slightly less enunciated /z/ at the end. All share final /z/; the main differences are rhoticity and vowel quality in the first two syllables.
Two main challenges: the tri-syllabic rhythm with a stressed first syllable and a secondary stress on the third, and the consonant cluster /ɡræm/ that requires a precise /g/ release into /r/. The transition from a close front vowel /ɪ/ to the schwa /ə/ in the second syllable often causes reduction errors. Concentrate on keeping the /ɡ/ fully voiced and the /z/ at the end distinct rather than devoiced.
The word combines a metric term (kilo-) with a units-name element (grams). The unique concern is maintaining two-stress structure without over-articulating kilo-, which can bleed into the second syllable. People also tend to merge syllables, producing /ˈkɪl.ɡɹæmz/ or /ˈkɪl.əˌɡræmz/ depending on pace. Focus on clear onset for /k/ and clean separation before /ræmz/ while keeping voicing consistent on /z/ at the end.
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Kilogram originates from the French kilogramme, formed in the 19th century during the development of the metric system. The prefix kilo- derives from Greek χίλιοι (khilioi) meaning 'thousand'. The root gram comes from French gramme, ultimately from Greek γράμμα (gramma) meaning 'thing written' or 'measure'. The term was adopted with the metric system in the late 18th to early 19th centuries; the kilogram was defined as the mass of the International Prototype Kilogram (IPK) created in 1889 and maintained as the standard until recent redefinitions. First widely used in scientific literature during the 20th century as a standard unit of mass, kilogram has become ubiquitous in trade, education, and daily life, embodying a precise, universally comparable measure of mass across borders.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "kilograms" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "kilograms" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "kilograms"
-me) sounds
-ams sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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