2 syllables: kind, ness. Stress on kind.
KEYEND-nuhs
/ˈkaɪndnəs/
kindness is pronounced KEYEND-nuhs (/ˈkaɪndnəs/). It has two syllables (kind-ness), with the stress on "kind". Kindness refers to the quality of being considerate, friendly, and generous toward others. It denotes acts or a disposition marked by concern for others’ well-being, often expressed through generous behavior, empathy, and supportive language. In everyday use, it can describe a person’s character or the impact of a compassionate action, often valued as a social virtue.
Kindness refers to the quality of being considerate, friendly, and generous toward others. It denotes acts or a disposition marked by concern for others’ well-being, often expressed through generous behavior, empathy, and supportive language. In everyday use, it can describe a person’s character or the impact of a compassionate action, often valued as a social virtue.
- You might skip or soften the /d/ in the /nd/ cluster, making 'kindness' sound like 'kinness.' Practice releasing the /d/ clearly before the /n/ to avoid a clipped transition. - Another common error is fricative overemphasis on the final /s/ or over-shortening the final syllable, leading to a hissy or clipped ending. Focus on a brief, relaxed 'nəs' with balanced /n/ and /əs/ rather than a hard, sibilant finish. - Finally, the diphthong /aɪ/ may come out as a simple /i/ or /eɪ/ in some dialects; keep the glide from /a/ to /ɪ/ clean and audible. Use minimal pairs like 'kind' vs 'ring' to reinforce accurate /aɪ/ in this word.
"Her kindness brightened the room as she offered to help without being asked."
"The fundraiser was a testament to the community’s kindness and generosity."
"You should be proud of your kindness toward strangers in need."
Pronounce it as /ˈkaɪnd.nəs/. The first syllable has primary stress: 'KINE-d' with the long I sound /aɪ/, followed by an unstressed second syllable /nəs/. You start the mouth with a high front tongue position for /aɪ/, then the /n/ is alveolar, followed by a schwa-like /nə s/ reduction in rapid speech. For audio reference, listen for the clear long I and the soft ending '-ness' without emphasis on the /n/ cluster. IPA guides: US/UK/AU all share /ˈkaɪnd.nəs/.
Common errors include replacing /aɪ/ with a shorter vowel like /ɪ/ (pronouncing 'kind' as 'kid') and de-emphasizing the final /nəs/ making it /nəs/ or /nəs/ too weak, producing 'kind-ness' with a clipped first syllable. Another slip is reducing the /nd/ cluster, pronouncing it as /n/ or /nd/ in an over-rolled way. Correct these by ensuring the first syllable carries strong /aɪ/ and the /nd/ remains an explicit cluster before the final unstressed /ə/ or /ə s/ depending on pace.
Across accents, the primary variation is vowel quality and rhoticity. In General American, /ˈkaɪnd.nəs/ with rhotic rization absent in the syllable; the /ɜr/ is not present here. In many UK variants, /ˈkaɪnd.nəs/ remains, with a slightly tighter final syllable and more precise enunciation of /n/ before /ɪ/ or /ə/ depending on rhythm. Australian speakers maintain /ˈkaɪnd.nəs/ but may have a flatter intonation and a less pronounced vowel reduction in connected speech. Overall, the core sounds remain, with minor vowel length and r-coloration differences.
The challenge lies in the /aɪ/ diphthong in the first syllable combined with the consonant cluster /nd/ followed by a short, reduced final syllable /nəs/. The /aɪ/ requires a glide from the open jaw to a high-front position while maintaining lip spread, which can be disrupted by rapid speech. The /nd/ cluster can blur in faster speech, making the transition to 'ness' less crisp. Practicing the separation with minimal pairs helps cement the rhythm and prevents vowel-consonant blending.
There is no silent letter in 'kindness.' All letters participate in pronunciation: the first syllable /kaɪnd/ uses the /d/ in the /nd/ cluster, and the final /nəs/ includes a pronounced /n/ before the reduced /əs/. Some non-native speakers momentarily omit the /d/ in rapid speech, but correct articulation keeps the /d/ audible to prevent a 'kind-ness' mispronunciation.
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Kindness comes from the Old English word cynd, meaning 'nature, kind, race, or class.' The suffix -ness, from Old English -nes(s)/-nys, marks a state or quality. Over time, the derivative sense shifted from describing inherent nature or kinship to denoting the quality of being kind. In Middle English, forms such as 'kindnes' appeared as writers emphasized virtue and character. The modern spelling standardized to kindness in Early Modern English, aligning pronunciation with the now-familiar -ness suffix. First attested in various forms during the 13th century, kindness solidified as a noun representing the virtue of being kind, as social and moral frameworks increasingly valued prosocial conduct.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "kindness" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "kindness" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "kindness"
-ess sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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