3 syllables: le, ga, cies. Stress on le.
/ˈlɛɡəsiz/
Say it backLegacies are things handed down from ancestors or predecessors, especially lasting cultural, legal, or personal artifacts, practices, or traditions. The term also refers to the enduring impact or memory left behind by people or events. In usage, it often appears in discussions of inheritance, history, or the consequences of actions across generations.
"Her family left behind legacies of charity and education that still shape the community."
"The CEO emphasized the company’s legacies of innovation and sustainability."
"The political scandal damaged the political legacies of several leaders."
Pronounce as /ˈlɛɡəsiz/. The primary stress falls on the first syllable: LEG-uh-seez. The -cies ending sounds like -siz, with a soft c (/s/) before /ɪ/ and a voiced /z/ at the end. Mouth positions: start with a clear L, then a short E as in 'bed,' a hard G /ɡ/ as in 'go,' then a schwa /ə/ in the second syllable, and ending with /z/ as in 'zoo' minus the oo vowel. In careful speech, say leg-uh-siz with light, quick second syllable and crisp final z.
Common errors include misplacing stress (say-LEGA-ces) and mispronouncing the -cies as /əsiː/ or /iːz/. Another pitfall is mispronouncing the /ɡ/ as a soft /dʒ/ or dropping the /ɡ/ entirely. Correction: keep primary stress on the first syllable /ˈlɛɡ/; pronounce the second syllable with a schwa /ə/ and end with /z/; ensure the -c- is /s/ and the final sound is /z/. Practice by saying 'LEG-uh-siz' slowly, then punch up to normal speed.
In US, /ˈlɛɡəsiz/ with rhotic, a clear /ɡ/ and final /z/. UK: /ˈleɡəsiz/ or /ˈlɛɡəsiz/ with non-rhotic tendencies but legacies often pronounced with /ɪz/ or /iz/ depending on speaker; some may reduce the vowel in second syllable slightly. AU: /ˈlɛɡəsiz/ or /ˈləɡəsiz/ with similar final /z/ but vowels may be flatter, and the first vowel may shift toward /æ/ or /ɛ/ depending on regional variation. Core is stress on first syllable; final /iz/ is common across accents.
The difficulty lies in the three-syllable structure with stress on the first syllable and the -cies ending producing /siz/. The /ɡ/ can be challenging in rapid speech, and the /ə/ in the second syllable is often reduced, leading to mispronunciation as /ˈlɛɡpriːz/ or /ˈleɡəsiz/. Focus on keeping the /ɡ/ hard, cleanly articulating /ə/ in the middle, and ending with a crisp /z/. IPA cues help anchor the sounds.
In fast spoken English, the second syllable may be reduced to a schwa /ə/ with reduced vowel quality and quicker transitions, and the final /z/ may assimilate slightly to a voice onset time shift before a pause. Some speakers may elide the /ɡ/ slightly in rapid speech, making it sound more like /ˈlɛɡəsɪz/ or /ˈlɛɡsɪz/. To avoid ambiguity, keep the /ɡ/ distinct and the final /z/ clear, especially in careful or formal speech.
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Legacies derives from the plural of legacy, from the Latin legat- (to be sent as a envoy or legate) and legare (to commit, entrust). In Latin, legatus means envoy; legare means to appoint by will or deed. The concept broadened from a legal or estate sense (things entrusted by a will) to a broader cultural sense—things handed down across generations. In English, legacy appeared in the 15th century, originally denoting a bequest in a will, with the plural legacies used to refer to multiple bequests or the more abstract idea of enduring influence. Over time, the meaning shifted to include not only material bequests but also intangible inheritances—values, traditions, institutions, and memory—that endure beyond the lifetimes of individuals. Today, legacies commonly describe both concrete inheritances and the lasting impact people or organizations leave behind. First known use: late Middle English, from Old French legacie (from Latin legat-), itself from legare “to entrust, commission.” The word’s evolution reflects a transition from legal estate language to a broader cultural metaphor for the mark one leaves on future generations.
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Words that rhyme with "legacies"
-ies sounds
-ces sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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