2 syllables: lar, ry king. Stress on lar.
LAR-ee king
/ˈlæɹi kɪŋ/
Larry King is pronounced LAR-ee king (/ˈlæɹi kɪŋ/). It has two syllables (lar-ry king), with the stress on "lar". As a noun, a proper noun referring to the late American television host Larry King (1933–2021). The name comprises the given name Larry and the surname King; in speech it functions as a distinctive, high-frequency personal-name label and is often encountered in media discussions or biographical contexts.
nounA proper noun referring to the late American television host Larry King (1933–2021). The name comprises the given name Larry and the surname King; in speech it functions as a distinctive, high-frequency personal-name label and is often encountered in media discussions or biographical contexts.
How to Pronounce Larry King
"Larry King was inducted into the Broadcasting Hall of Fame."
"During the interview, Larry King asked pointed questions with calm authority."
"The network aired a birthday tribute to Larry King."
Pronounce as /ˈlæri kɪŋ/ (US) or /ˈlæri ˈkɪŋ/ (UK/AU). The first name has stress on the first syllable: LAIR-ee with a short a as in cat. 'King' is a single syllable with a short i (as in sing) and a clear k at the onset. Lip closure for /l/ and /r/ must be gentle; the /æ/ is a lax open vowel. Practice by saying 'LAIR-ee' quickly, then 'king' without extra vowel at the end. Audio resources: Forvo and Pronounce can provide native samples to match the exact rhythm.
Common errors: (1) Misplacing stress, saying 'la-ree KING' with primary stress on King; correct is primary on Larry. (2) Vowel length exaggeration, stretching /æ/ into a stretched 'air' vowel; keep /æ/ short. (3) Consonant blend issues, overpronouncing the /r/ in American English, or inserting extra vowel between syllables ('Lair-ee King' with a schwa). Correction: keep Larry as two-syllable /ˈlæri/ with a crisp /l/ and light /ɹ/, then /kɪŋ/ with ending stop. Use minimal pairs and mirror native samples.
In US English, /ˈlæri kɪŋ/ with rhotic /r/ and clear /ɪ/ in King. UK English often elevates /ˈlæri/ with a slightly shorter /ɪ/ and/proper non-rhoticity if a speaker is minimizing /r/; some UK speakers produce a softer /ɹ/ or omit post-vocalic r in certain dialects. Australian accent typically has /ˈlæɹi ˈkɪŋ/ with a more lenient /ɹ/ and a slightly different vowel quality, but King remains a short, crisp vowel. In all cases, the final consonant is a single /ŋ/.
The difficulty comes from combining two high-frequency, easily conflated sounds: the front lax vowel in Larry (/æ/) and the native American /ɹ/ r-coloring, followed by a clean /k/ and /ŋ/ cluster in King. Rapid speech can fuse the end of Larry with King, creating 'Lair-ee-ing' or slipping to /lɛri/ or /ˈlær.i kɪŋ/ with mis-stressed syllables. Focus on maintaining the clear boundary between syllables and crisp final /ŋ/. IPA guides and shadowing with native samples help cement the rhythm.
Unique considerations include the two-syllable given name with stress on the first syllable and a single-syllable surname; ensure the /æ/ vowel remains short and not rounded, and that the /ɹ/ is approximant without trailing vowel. The name has historical prominence as a media figure, which might bias listeners toward expecting a precise articulation; ensure you maintain standard American pronunciation even in casual contexts to avoid slurring. Also, pay attention to the natural pause between Larry and King in fast speech.
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US: strong rhotic /r/, clear /æ/; UK: non-rhotic tendencies may reduce /r/ and slightly temper the /æ/; AU: broader vowel quality with similar /æ/ and non-fully-rhotic /r/ depending on speaker. IPA references: US /ˈlæri kɪŋ/; UK /ˈlæri ˈkɪŋ/; AU /ˈlæri ˈkɪŋ/. Work on a crisp boundary: Larry as /ˈlæri/ with a light /ɹ/; King as /kɪŋ/; keep final nasal crisp. ” ,
Larry is a diminutive of Laurence, of Latin origin Laurentius, meaning 'laurelled' or victorious. The surname King derives from Old English cyning, meaning 'leader, monarch,' originally used as a byname for someone of regal stature or domains, or a nickname for someone seen as a ruler in a village. The combination Larry King as a personal name entered English-language usage in the mid-20th century, with Larry becoming a common first name in the United States and King functioning as a frequent surname. The name gained iconic status through the fame of journalist and interviewer Larry King starting in the 1950s and peaking with his 1980s–2010s television career, cementing the phrase as a recognizable proper noun. First known uses appear in public records and media references in mid-1900s America, aligning with the rise of broadcast journalism and the adoption of surname-first citations in media for prominent figures.
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Words that rhyme with "Larry King"
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