2 syllables: lob, by. Stress on lob.
LAH-bee
/ˈlɑbi/
lobby is pronounced LAH-bee (/ˈlɑbi/). It has two syllables (lob-by), with the stress on "lob". Lobby refers to a building’s entrance hall or an organized group seeking to influence decisions within an organization. It can also mean to attempt to influence policymakers. In everyday use, it most often denotes the entrance area of a hotel, theater, or office building, where people gather or wait. The term carries neutral to slightly formal connotations, depending on context.
Lobby refers to a building’s entrance hall or an organized group seeking to influence decisions within an organization. It can also mean to attempt to influence policymakers. In everyday use, it most often denotes the entrance area of a hotel, theater, or office building, where people gather or wait. The term carries neutral to slightly formal connotations, depending on context.
- You often merge the word into a single syllable when saying quickly; to fix, practice isolating the two syllables: LOH-bee with a crisp release on /b/ and a short, rounded first vowel. - Misplacing stress: some learners stress the second syllable as in 'lo- BI', which sounds off; rehearse with a hand-tap on the first syllable and moderate the second. - Vowel quality drift: US speakers may produce /lɑː/ or /lɔː/ for the first vowel; lock in the open back vowel in your dialect by yawning slightly and keeping lips rounded for /ɒ/ or /ɑː/. - Consonant clarity: ensure the /b/ is clearly released; avoid devoicing to /p/ at the end.
"We waited in the hotel lobby for our room keys."
"The lobby of the parliament is where advocacy groups gather to make their case."
"Security asked us to wait in the lobby before entrance."
US/UK/AU pronunciation share the same two-syllable pattern: stressed first syllable /ˈlɒ.bi/ or /ˈlɑː.bi/ depending on accent. In US, the first vowel is a low back diphthong /ɔ/ (approximated as /ɒ/ in many transcriptions), with a short /ɒ/ or /ɑː/ and a clear /-bi/ ending. In UK and AU, the first vowel tends toward /ɒ/ as in 'lot' and the second syllable is a lax /bi/ with a short i. Emphasize the first syllable; the second is unstressed and reduced slightly but pronounced as /bi/ rather than /bɪ/ in careful speech. Try to keep the vowel in syllable one rounded and broad, then finish with a crisp /bi/.
Common mistakes: (1) pronouncing it as one syllable like 'lob-' plus 'by' with a silent or reduced second vowel; ensure two syllables with clear /ˈlɒ/ or /ˈlɑː/ + /bi/. (2) Swapping syllable stress or making the second syllable too strong; keep primary stress on the first syllable. (3) Vowel quality drift: US speakers may tense the /ɒ/ or merge to /ɔ/; aim for a back open vowel in syllable one and a clean /bi/ in syllable two. Correction tips: practice with minimal pairs like 'lobby' vs 'lobby' (if used), exaggerate the first vowel, then taper to natural speed.
US tends to use /ˈlɒ.bi/ or /ˈlɑː.bi/ with rhoticity less emphasized and a more rounded first vowel in American dictionaries. UK typically uses /ˈlɒ.bi/ with clear short o, non-rhotic r-less ending; AU mirrors UK but may heighten vowel quality slightly and maintain a relaxed /ɪ/ in rapid speech. All share two-syllable pattern with primary stress on the first syllable; final /bi/ remains a stable consonant-vowel sequence. Focus on keeping the first vowel open and rounded, and preventing final /i/ from becoming /ɪ/.
The difficulty centers on two facts: (1) ensuring a clean two-syllable division with strong primary stress on the first syllable, avoiding a clipped, single-syllable utterance; (2) getting the first vowel quality right, which varies across dialects (US /ɔː/ vs UK /ɒ/). Lip rounding and jaw openness must align for the first syllable; the second syllable /bi/ requires a crisp, rapid transition. Smaller challenges include not devoicing the final /b/ or turning /bi/ into /bɪ/ in casual speech.
The word’s second syllable is always a voiced bilabial stop plus a high front vowel /bi/. The potential edge case is in fast, casual speech where speakers reduce vowels; ensure you maintain the /bi/ chunk and avoid merging with a following consonant. Also, in phrases like 'in the lobby' the final /bi/ can carry a light syllabic quality when syllables blend in rapid conversation. Keeping the two distinct syllables helps SEO-focused queries.
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- US: emphasize /ˈlɑː.bi/ or /ˈlɔː.bi/ with a longer open back vowel; keep rhoticity minimal in casual speech. - UK: /ˈlɒ.bi/ with a clipped, flat /ɒ/ and non-rhotic accent; the /b/ should be a clean stop with a light, quick /i/. - AU: similar to UK but with slightly higher vowel height and a tendency to use a slightly more centralized final /i/; keep the mouth more relaxed and avoid over-enunciating.
Lobby originates from the Italian term loggia (a covered exterior gallery) and the French word loge (a small private box in a theater). In English, lobby appeared in the 18th century to describe a hallway or antechamber connected to a larger room, especially in public buildings. The metaphorical sense—an organized group seeking influence—emerged in the 19th century, drawing on the idea of people gathering in a public space to speak to those inside. Over time, “lobby” as a verb gained traction meaning to attempt to influence lawmakers, typically through organized advocacy in the corridors and foyers of political venues. First known usage in print centers on architectural contexts, with political connotations developing as lobbying became a formalized practice in democratic systems, particularly in the United States and United Kingdom. The word’s evolution mirrors shifts in public architecture and governance, from grand public foyers to strategic, policy-influencing activity. Modern usage balances architectural sense (the lobby area) with the political one (advocacy efforts).
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "lobby" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "lobby" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "lobby" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "lobby"
-bby sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
🎵 Rhyme tip: Practicing with rhyming words helps you master similar sound patterns and improves your overall pronunciation accuracy.
