3 syllables: Leg, a, cy. Stress on Leg.
LEG-uh-see
/ˈlɛɡəsi/
Legacy is pronounced LEG-uh-see (/ˈlɛɡəsi/). It has three syllables (Leg-a-cy), with the stress on "Leg". Legacy (noun) refers to something handed down from the past, particularly a lasting influence, tradition, or inheritance. It can denote material bequest or the intangible impact left by a person, institution, or event. The term emphasizes enduring relevance and remembrance across generations.
nounLegacy (noun) refers to something handed down from the past, particularly a lasting influence, tradition, or inheritance. It can denote material bequest or the intangible impact left by a person, institution, or event. The term emphasizes enduring relevance and remembrance across generations.
- Common mispronunciation issue: Over-asserting the second syllable by pronouncing it with strong vowel quality, leading to LEG-AH-see instead of LEG-uh-see. Fix by relaxing the second syllable to a schwa /ə/ and keeping the final /si/ light. - Another mistake: Inserting an extra vowel between /ɡ/ and /s/ or converting the final syllable to /-si/ with strong emphasis; keep /ə/ before /si/ and avoid extra phonemes. - A third error: Mixing up /ɛ/ with /æ/ in the first syllable, using /læɡ/ instead of /lɛɡ/. Practice with minimal pairs like “leg” vs “leggy” to anchor /ɛ/. - Quick tip: Practice saying LEG-uh-see in slow motion, then gradually increase speed while maintaining the schwa in the second syllable and a light, brief /si/ at the end.
"Her family's legacy includes a charitable foundation she now leads."
"The architect’s legacy is evident in the city’s timeless civic buildings."
"Scientists hope their discoveries will leave a positive ecological legacy for future generations."
Legacy is pronounced /ˈlɛɡəsi/ in US and UK English, with stress on the first syllable: LEG-uh-see. Start with a clear /l/, then the open mid-front vowel /e/ as in “red,” followed by /ɡ/ as in “go,” then a schwa /ə/ in the second syllable, and end with /si/ like “see.” Keep the final syllable light and unstressed. Audio reference: listen to native speaker recordings on Pronounce or Forvo for subtle vowel duration.
Common mistakes include misplacing stress (saying le-GA-cy), over-emphasizing the middle syllable, and mispronouncing the final -cy as /si/ with too much emphasis. Correct by maintaining primary stress on LEG and reducing the final syllable to a light /si/. Another pitfall is pronouncing the first vowel as /æ/ like “cat” instead of /e/; aim for /ɛ/ as in "red". Ensure the consonants flow without inserting extra vowel sounds between segments.
In US and UK pronunciations, /ˈlɛɡəsi/ is standard with a short /e/ and a neutral final /i/. In Australian English, you may hear a slightly more centralized vowel in the second syllable and a softer /ɡ/ release, but still keep the primary stress on LEG. Overall, rhoticity differences are minimal for this word; the key variation lies in vowel quality and the tendency toward a flatter or more clipped /ə/ in the second syllable.
The difficulty centers on the two-consonant cluster after the first vowel and the unstressed second syllable. The sequence /ɡəsi/ can tempt an extra vowel or mispronunciation like /ləˈɡæsi/. The main challenge is producing a clean /ɡ/ release followed by a reduced /ə/ and the /si/ without adding syllabic weight to the second syllable. Practicing with minimal pairs helps you lock the rhythm and avoid overshooting the final /si/.
The unique challenge is balancing a crisp initial /l/, a clear /ɡ/ plosive, and a reduced schwa in the second syllable while keeping the final /si/ light. This requires precise timing of syllable stress and vowel reduction, ensuring the word does not sound bleached to /ˈlɛɡəsi/ or over-enunciated as /ˈlɛɡæsi/. Visualize LEG-uh-see and maintain a steady, even tempo between the two non-stressed syllables.
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- US: Maintain rhoticity if applicable; the /ɹ/ does not apply here, but you should ensure a crisp /l/ and clear /ɡ/ followed by a reduced second syllable. IPA reference: /ˈlɛɡəsi/. - UK: Similar to US; keep non-rhotic tendency in surrounding contexts, but for this word the /r/ is not present; maintain /ɡ/ release and light /ə/ vowel. - AU: Slightly broader vowels; keep final /i/ short and close to /i/; may hear a slightly more open second vowel; aim for /ˈlɛɡəsi/ with relaxed /ə/. - Vowel specifics: /ɛ/ vs /e/ in some dialects; ensure consistent /ɡ/ plosive without frication; keep /ə/ central and unstressed. - Mouth positions: lip rounding minimal; keep tongue high-mid for /ɛ/ and relaxed jaw for schwa; end with narrow /si/ toward the alveolar ridge.
Legacy comes from the Latin legatus, meaning envoy or envoy’s office, and legare, meaning to appoint as a legate. In Latin, legatus referred to a deputy or ambassador, carrying duties or property for someone else. The term entered English via Old French legacie or legacie, denoting a written will or the act of bequeathing property, and by extension the estate or inheritance itself. In Early Modern English, legacy also described money or property bequeathed by will, and by the 17th century it broadened to include the non-material influence left behind, such as cultural, political, or social impacts. Over time, the word shifted from legal/financial sense to a broader sense of enduring impact and tradition, while still retaining the notion of something handed down. First known uses in English literature appear in legal contexts and wills, with broader everyday usage appearing as societies contemplated lasting influence and heritage across generations.
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Words that rhyme with "Legacy"
-acy sounds
-me) sounds
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