2 syllables: lar, ger. Stress on lar.
LAHR-jur
/ˈlɑɹdʒɚ/
larger is pronounced LAHR-jur (/ˈlɑɹdʒɚ/). It has two syllables (lar-ger), with the stress on "lar". Larger is the comparative form of large, meaning of greater size or extent. It refers to objects, quantities, or degrees that exceed a baseline size, often used in measurements, comparisons, or descriptions. In use, it denotes a relatively greater dimension or degree within a given context.
Larger is the comparative form of large, meaning of greater size or extent. It refers to objects, quantities, or degrees that exceed a baseline size, often used in measurements, comparisons, or descriptions. In use, it denotes a relatively greater dimension or degree within a given context.
"We need a larger suitcase for our trip."
"The larger donut sold out first."
"She wears a larger size in that brand."
Say /ˈlɑːdʒər/ in UK and US; in American English the r is pronounced, ending with a rhotic schwa sound. Start with the open back vowel /ɑ/ followed by the voiced postalveolar affricate /dʒ/ as in 'judge', then a soft 'er' /ər/. The primary stress is on the first syllable: LAHR-jer. Visualize a longer mouth opening for /ɑː/ and finish with a relaxed, quick /ər/.
Mistakes include pronouncing the first vowel as a shortened /æ/ like 'cat' or dropping the /ɹ/ in the final syllable, producing /ˈlædʒɚ/. Another frequent error is reducing /ˈlɑr/ to /ˈlar/ with no /dʒ/ sound. Correction: keep the /dʒ/ as a single affricate after the open back /ɑ/ or /ɔː/ depending on accent, and ensure the final syllable carries a full /ər/ or /ɚ/ with rhoticity in US.
US: /ˈlɑːdʒɚ/ with rhotic /ɹ/ and a darker /ɔː/ or /ɑː/ depending on regional vowel shift; UK: /ˈlɑːdʒə/ with non-rhoticity in some accents, the final /ə/ more centralized; AU: often /ˈlɑːdʒə/ with a trap-bath split ending vowel similar to UK but some speakers retain US-like rhotics. The /dʒ/ is stable across all, but vowel length and rhoticity vary.
Two main challenges: the /dʒ/ affricate can be mis-timed after a low back vowel, causing a /tʃ/ or /dʒ/ error; and the final /ər/ or /ə/ may reduce to a schwa without rhoticity in some accents. Focus on keeping a clear /dʒ/ with a brief stop then a rounded, relaxed ending, and avoid turning it into 'lar-ger' with a hard /r/ in non-rhotic accents.
The word combines a back open vowel, a post-alveolar affricate, and a rhotic-like ending in rhotic accents. The unique pattern is /ˈlɑːdʒər/ with the transition from /ɑː/ to /dʒ/ and a relatively weak, centralized final /ər/ in non-rhotic contexts. Keep the /dʒ/ crisp as a single unit and don’t let the /ɑː/ bleed into the /dʒ/.
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- US: rhotic /ɹ/ with darker vowel quality; /ˈlɑɹdʒɚ/ suggests a stronger rhotic ending. - UK: non-rhotic tendencies; the final /r/ weakens to a schwa; /ˈlɑːdʒə/ or /ˈlɑːdʒɜː/ depending on region. - AU: often rhotic with a broader /ɒ/ or /ɑː/ and a more centralized ending; keep /dʒ/ clear and the final vowel slightly more open than US. IPA notes: /ˈlɑːdʒə/ (UK/AU) vs /ˈlɑːdʒɚ/ (US).
Larger derives from Old French largier, from larg (wide, ample) with comparative suffix -er, associated with Latin largus meaning 'abundant' or 'generous'. The semantic core shifted from 'ample in space' to the grammatical comparative form indicating greater size. The word entered Middle English via French influence, complementing other adjectives with productive -er suffixation. Early attestations occur in the 13th–14th centuries, often in legal or descriptive contexts that compare sizes or extents. Over time, larger broadened to figurative uses (larger quantities, larger-than-life). The evolution mirrors the general trajectory of English adjectives formed from base nouns or adjectives with the meaning of 'more' or 'greater' and parallels the development of other comparatives like 'smaller' and 'bigger' in everyday speech. The form has remained stable in modern usage, with the comparative always indicating a higher degree or extent within a reference frame.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "larger" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "larger" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "larger"
-ger sounds
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