2 syllables: lad, ders. Stress on lad.
LAD-urz
/ˈlædɚz/
ladders is pronounced LAD-urz (/ˈlædɚz/). It has two syllables (lad-ders), with the stress on "lad". Ladders is the plural of ladder, referring to a set of steps used for climbing. In everyday use it denotes multiple such devices or, figuratively, a sequence or hierarchy. The word combines the soft initial /l/ with the plural suffix -s, producing a two-syllable word that can be pronounced with either a light or emphasized final s depending on context.
Ladders is the plural of ladder, referring to a set of steps used for climbing. In everyday use it denotes multiple such devices or, figuratively, a sequence or hierarchy. The word combines the soft initial /l/ with the plural suffix -s, producing a two-syllable word that can be pronounced with either a light or emphasized final s depending on context.
"- The construction crew brought two tall ladders to the site."
"- She climbed the ladders carefully to reach the roof."
"- In the accident report, the ladders were noted as being unsafe."
Pronounce it as /ˈlædərz/ in US and UK, with primary stress on the first syllable. The first vowel is a clear /æ/ as in cat, the middle is a schwa /ə/ in many rapid speech realizations, and the final /z/ is voiced. Tip: keep the /d/ light and immediately connect to a voiced /z/; avoid a separate, strong /s/ sound. Listen to native examples in dictionaries or pronunciation tools to nail the linking between /d/ and /ər/.
Common errors include pronouncing the second syllable as /ɪər/ or /ɛr/ instead of a reduced /ər/, and making the final /z/ sound too voiceless as /s/. Another frequent issue is over-aspiration on the /d/, creating /ˈlædərz/ with a firmer /d/ than natural in connected speech. Corrective focus: aim for a quick, light /d/ followed by a relaxed /ər/; let the /z/ glow from voicing, not air pressure.
US: /ˈlædərz/ with a rhotacized /ɚ/ in some dialects and a clear /ɹ/ quality before /z/. UK: /ˈlædəz/ or /ˈlædəz/, with a reduced central vowel and often non-rhoticity in some accents; the /r/ may be non-pronounced before vowels but appears in allied forms. Australian: /ˈlædəz/, with non-rhotic tendencies and a slightly flatter /æ/; final /z/ maintains voice but can be subtly elongated or softened in rapid speech.
The challenge lies in the rapid transition from /d/ to a voiced /ər/ sequence, which often reduces to a schwa; the adjacent /d/ must be clean, not flapped like in casual American speech, while the final /z/ remains voiced. Keeping the two-syllable rhythm and avoiding an extra syllable or an /s/ sound after /z/ demands precise timing in connected speech. Focus on the /d/ to /ər/ linkage and proper voicing on /z/.
Is the pronunciation of ladders affected by emphasis in phrases like ladders and scaffolding versus ladders collapse? The IPA remains /ˈlædərz/; however, in fast speech the /ə/ can become a reduced vowel, and the final /z/ may assimilate slightly to the following sound in connected speech. Keeping the /ˈlæd/ onset steady is key when these phrases appear in a sentence.
🗣️ Voice search tip: These questions are optimized for voice search. Try asking your voice assistant any of these questions about "ladders"!
Ladder comes from Old English hlæder, related to the Proto-Germanic *hladraz, from the root meaning ‘step’ or ‘stair’. The plural ladders emerged in Middle English through the addition of the regular plural -ers/-ers-like morphology, reflecting the durable, countable nature of ladders as items with multiple steps. The sense related to a device for ascent is attested in early English pharmacopoeia and household inventories, with medieval references emphasizing portable, collapsible versions. The modern plural usage solidified as ladders became standard farm, building, and workshop equipment, with the English word retaining its Germanic consonant cluster and a lightly stressed first syllable. First known uses appear in late medieval inventories, where ladders were described as manned climbing devices. The word’s semantic expansion into metaphorical phrases (ladder of life, ladder of success) developed later, especially in the 19th and 20th centuries, paralleling the social ladder metaphor’s rise in discourse.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "ladders" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "ladders" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "ladders" and show contrast in usage.
📚 Vocabulary tip: Learning synonyms and antonyms helps you understand nuanced differences in meaning and improves your word choice in speaking and writing.
Words that rhyme with "ladders"
-ers 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.
