2 syllables: lar, ry. Stress on lar.
LER-ee
/ˈlɛɹi/
larry is pronounced LER-ee (/ˈlɛɹi/). It has two syllables (lar-ry), with the stress on "lar". Larry is a proper noun commonly used as a male given name. In general conversation it functions as a brief personal identifier, often in reference to a specific person. The term itself has no inherent semantic content beyond its phonetic form and cultural associations. The pronunciation can vary by speaker and accent, but the core form remains /ˈlær.i/ or /ˈlɑr.i/ in many dialects.
Larry is a proper noun commonly used as a male given name. In general conversation it functions as a brief personal identifier, often in reference to a specific person. The term itself has no inherent semantic content beyond its phonetic form and cultural associations. The pronunciation can vary by speaker and accent, but the core form remains /ˈlær.i/ or /ˈlɑr.i/ in many dialects.
- You might overemphasize the second syllable, turning Larry into a longer, drawn-out ‘lar- ee’; instead, make the second syllable quick and light, like /ˈlær.i/. - You could mispronounce the first vowel as /e/ or /ɛ/ (like ‘ler-ree’). Aim for /æ/ as in cat. Practice by saying ‘cat’ then quickly moving to /i/ in the second syllable. - You may drop the initial consonant or merge syllables when speaking fast. Maintain a clear /l/ onset and separate the two sounds with a tiny pause that doesn’t slow rhythm. Practice with slow repeats, then speed up.
"I met Larry at the conference yesterday."
"Larry’s presentation was insightful and well-paced."
"Could you ask Larry to join us for coffee?"
In General American, it’s /ˈlær.i/ with primary stress on the first syllable. The first vowel is a short, open 'a' as in cat, the second is a quick, unstressed 'ee' or 'i' sound as in happy. In UK English you’ll often hear /ˈlɑː.ri/ with a longer first vowel and a crisp, non-rhotic r; in Australian English it’s often /ˈlæɹi/ or /ˈlɑː.ɹi/ depending on speaker. Practice by starting with a strong short-a, then relax the second syllable to a light [i] or [ɪ]. Audio reference: consult pronunciations on reputable dictionaries for nuance.
Common errors include: 1) Overpronouncing the second syllable, turning it into /ær.i/ or /ˈlær.iː/; keep the second syllable light and quick. 2) Merging to a single syllable by reducing the first to /lɜː/ or /lʌ/ or losing the initial consonant blend; maintain a clear /l/ onset. 3) Varied vowel quality in the first syllable, producing /lɛr.i/ or /lɪri/; aim for a crisp /æ/ as in cat. Correct by emphasizing per-syllable timing and refining the first vowel to /æ/ and the second to a short, unstressed /i/.
- US: primary stress on first syllable; /ˈlær.i/ with a quick, clear /æ/ and a light final /i/. Rhotic r is pronounced. - UK: /ˈlɑː.ri/ or /ˈlær.i/ depending on region, with a longer first vowel and non-rhotic or lightly pronounced r depending on speaker. - AU: often /ˈlær.i/ or /ˈlɑː.ri/, with variable r sounded less strongly and a vowel that may be closer to /æ/ or /aː/; strong following schwa is possible. Overall differences center on vowel quality and rhoticity; US emphasizes a short a and a pronounced r, UK emphasizes length and potential non-rhoticity, AU varies widely.
Because of the rapid, light second syllable and a short, clipped first vowel that can vary in sound across accents. The challenge is placing a clear initial /l/ with a short /æ/ in stressed position, then quickly transferring to a reduced /i/ in the second syllable. For non-native speakers, small tongue height adjustments and keeping the second syllable unstressed makes a big difference. Practicing with minimal pairs and IPA awareness helps stabilize the two-syllable rhythm.
The key unique aspect is the stressed first syllable followed by a minimally articulated second syllable that still carries the name’s recognizability. Many learners over-emphasize the second syllable or mis-tune the first vowel. Focusing on the transition from /æ/ to a quick /i/ and keeping the second syllable compact preserves the natural name cadence, especially when talking quickly in conversation.
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- US: clear /ˈlær.i/ with rhotic /r/; keep /æ/ bright and short, /i/ reduced. - UK: longer first vowel, often non-rhotic; you may hear /ˈlɑː.ri/ with a lighter r. - AU: variable; many speakers keep /r/ soft or non-rhotic; the first vowel may be between /æ/ and /aː/. Use IPA: /ˈlær.i/ (US), /ˈlɑː.ri/ (UK), /ˈlær.i/ or /ˈlɑː.ɹi/ (AU). General tip: keep the first syllable strong, second syllable short and unstressed. Practice using minimal pairs to hear subtle vowel shifts.
Larry derives from the diminutive of Lawrence, itself from the Latin Laurentius meaning “from Laurentum” or “crowned with laurel.” The name Lawrence entered Old French as Laur, and the diminutive Larry emerged in English-speaking regions during the Middle Ages as a familiar form of Lawrence. The phonetic evolution reflects standard English vowel shifts: the first syllable often bears a stressed /ˈlær-/ in American and many British varieties, with the second syllable reduced to a schwa or a light /i/. First known uses trace to medieval English records where Lawrence appeared in writings and Lawrence was shortened to Larry in colloquial speech, especially within families and among peers. Over time, the name Larry acquired cultural associations tied to public figures and fictional characters, reinforcing its recognizable two-syllable cadence. In contemporary usage, Larry remains a common informal form for Lawrence, maintaining its original two-syllable structure while being employed in humor, familiarity, or warmth in conversation.
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Words that rhyme with "larry"
-rry sounds
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