2 syllables: lap, top. Stress on lap.
LAP-tahp
/ˈlæˌptɑp/
laptop is pronounced LAP-tahp (/ˈlæˌptɑp/). It has two syllables (lap-top), with the stress on "lap". A portable personal computer designed for mobility, typically used on desks, laps, or in transit. The term emphasizes compact, battery-powered computing with integrated display, keyboard, and trackpad; modern laptops are lightweight and suitable for daily tasks, communication, and multimedia. The word is common in tech and consumer language and signals a device rather than a desktop workstation.
A portable personal computer designed for mobility, typically used on desks, laps, or in transit. The term emphasizes compact, battery-powered computing with integrated display, keyboard, and trackpad; modern laptops are lightweight and suitable for daily tasks, communication, and multimedia. The word is common in tech and consumer language and signals a device rather than a desktop workstation.
- You may soften the final /p/ or not release it fully; ensure a crisp, voiceless final /p/ with a clear stop closure. - The middle /t/ can become a flap or glottal stop in rapid speech; practice a strong alveolar /t/ release before the /ɒ/. - Vowel difference: many learners use /æ/ for the first vowel consistently, but some dialects use /eɪ/ or /e/ subtly; aim for the open front /æ/ in the first syllable. - Correction tips: practice with minimal pairs: lap vs lip; tap vs top; hold the first syllable longer than the second; record and compare with native speakers; slow down to isolate each phoneme and then speed up.
"I upturned my crowded laptop and opened it on the train."
"She bought a slim, lightweight laptop for travel and long flights."
"The laptop battery lasts about six hours under normal use."
Pronounce it as LAP-tɒp in UK/US/AU. The primary stress is on the first syllable: /ˈlæpˌtɒp/ (US/UK/AU share /ˈlæpˌtɒp/). Start with an open front lax vowel /æ/ as in 'cat', then a crisp /p/ at the coda. The second syllable begins with a light /t/ release before /ɒ/ (British /ɒ/ as in 'not', US speakers often have /ɑː/ or /ɑ/ depending on dialect; Australian often /ɒ/). Finish with /p/ in a voiceless stop. Lip position: light rounding for /æ/; tip of the tongue touches the alveolar ridge for /t/; final /p/ is a bilabial closure released without voice. Audio reference: listen to native speakers on Pronounce or YouGlish for multiple dialects.
Common mistakes include: 1) Not stressing the first syllable or giving equal weight to both syllables; ensure /ˈlæp/ has the stronger beat. 2) Substituting /t/ with a glottal stop or /d/ in the middle; use a clean /t/ release before /ɒ/. 3) Mispronouncing /ɒ/ as /ɔ/ or /ɑː/ in some dialects; aim for the short open back /ɒ/ as in 'lot'. Correction tips: exaggerate the first syllable slightly, practice with minimal pairs like ‘lap’ vs ‘lop’ and hold the /ɒ/ longer before the final /p/. Listen and imitate native usage.
In US English, /ˈlæpˌtɑp/ or /ˈlæpˌtɒp/ with rhotic r not involved here; the second syllable uses /ɑ/ or /ɒ/ depending on speaker. UK English typically uses /ˈlæp.tɒp/ with short /ɒ/; Australian English is similar but with a lightly more centralized /ɒ/ and slightly more rounded vowel in practice. The main differences lie in the quality of the second vowel; rhoticity does not affect this word; ensure you retain a strong first syllable and a crisp /t/ release between syllables. IPA references: US /ˈlæpˌtɑp/ or /ˈlæpˌtɒp/, UK/AU /ˈlæpˌtɒp/.
The difficulty comes from the quick, two-syllable rhythm where the /t/ sits between a stressed first syllable and a lax second vowel, requiring a clean /t/ release and accurate vowel quality for /æ/ and /ɒ/. Many learners append a false consonant after /t/ or insert a slower or voiceless pause; focus on the crisp alveolar stop and the short open /ɒ/. Mastery involves holding the first syllable longer than the second while keeping the second vowel compact.
The word combines a clear primary stress with a light, brief second syllable that ends in a voiceless bilabial /p/. The middle /p/ cluster is preceded by a released /t/, so you get a rapid consonant sequence /p t / before the final /p/. Additionally, the vowel in the second syllable can vary: in some dialects it’s a lax open back vowel; in others, it’s a more back, rounded variant. Focus on the crisp /t/ release and the transition from the /æ/ to /t/ to /ɒ/.
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- US: retain /ˈlæpˌtɑp/ with /æ/ in the first vowel and /ɑ/ or /ɒ/ in the second depending on region; ensure the /t/ release is audible before the final /p/. - UK: /ˈlæp.tɒp/ with a short /ɒ/, keep the /t/ crisp and avoid a heavy /d/ replacement. - AU: similar to UK but you might hear a slightly more centralized /ɒ/ and softer /t/ release in casual speech. - IPA references: US /ˈlæpˌtɑp/; UK/AU /ˈlæpˌtɒp/. - Common pitfalls: rhoticity irrelevant here, but ensure no intrusive linking that hides the /t/.
The word laptop emerged in the late 20th century as a metaphorical use of portability for computing devices. It blends 'lap' (the upper thigh region used for resting objects) and 'top' (surface or top-of-entity, here implying portability and surface area for use). Early references to portable computing include devices that could sit on a lap, thus contrasted with larger desktop units. The term gained popularity in marketing and consumer tech journalism during the 1990s with the rise of clamshell notebooks and compact laptops. Its evolution reflects a shift from bulky, heavy machines to lightweight, battery-powered, highly integrated systems designed for mobility. First known uses appeared in trade literature and magazines to describe compact, portable computers that could be used away from a fixed desk. Over time, the word became the standard generic label for non-desktop personal computers, even as devices diversified into thin-and-light ultrabooks, convertible laptops, and detachable keyboards. By the 2000s, “laptop” had eclipsed more technical terms in everyday language, entering dictionaries as the common name for a portable computer.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "laptop" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "laptop"
-top sounds
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