2 syllables: man, ic. Stress on man.
MAN-ik
/ˈmænɪk/
manic is pronounced MAN-ik (/ˈmænɪk/). It has two syllables (man-ic), with the stress on "man". Manic is an adjective describing a state of abnormally elevated mood, energy, or activity, often with impulsive or agitated behavior. It can refer to a clinical, diagnostically related phase of bipolar disorder, or more broadly to someone acting frenetically excited. The term carries a strong, sometimes negative, connotation when used outside medical contexts.
Manic is an adjective describing a state of abnormally elevated mood, energy, or activity, often with impulsive or agitated behavior. It can refer to a clinical, diagnostically related phase of bipolar disorder, or more broadly to someone acting frenetically excited. The term carries a strong, sometimes negative, connotation when used outside medical contexts.
- You tend to overextend the first vowel, turning /æ/ into a longer, moreAmerican /æː/; keep it short and clipped: /ˈmæ.nɪk/. - You may insert an extra vowel or a schwa before the final /k/ due to hesitation; practice ending with a sharp /k/ release: /ˈmæ.nɪk/. - Vowel duration errors: first vowel should be short; the second /ɪ/ also short, not a prolonged /iː/. - Overemphasizing the second syllable under stress when speaking quickly; stay with primary stress on the first syllable. - In fast speech, the /æ/ can blur toward /ə/ in casual talk; drill to keep it distinct.
"Her manic creativity led to a flurry of new ideas in a single afternoon."
"The team’s manic sprint schedule left little time for rest or reflection."
"He spoke in a manic rush, skipping between topics at high speed."
Pronounce it /ˈmæn.ɪk/ in US and UK English, with primary stress on the first syllable: MAN-ic. Open front lax vowel in the first syllable /æ/ as in 'cat', then a short /ɪ/ in the second syllable. Lips relaxed, slightly spread; air flows freely. If you’re listening, you’ll hear a crisp T- or plain N-transition before /ɪk/ depending on pace. Audio resources: Cambridge or Oxford dictionaries provide native-speaker audio for reference.
Two common errors: (1) treating the first vowel as /eɪ/ as in ‘name,’ producing /ˈmeɪ.nɪk/ which sounds off to natives. (2) Moving the / æ / too close to / e / leading to /ˈmen.ɪk/; keep the / æ / distinct from / ɪ /. Also avoid a heavy or extra syllable; keep it crisp with 2 syllables. Practice by isolating vowels and using minimal pairs with /mæn/ vs /mən/ and ensure a clean /k/ release at the end.
US/UK/AU share /ˈmæn.ɪk/ with stress on the first syllable. The vowel in the first syllable is a short æ; in some Australian speech, the vowel can be a slightly more open or centralized variant, but still near /æ/. The final /ɪk/ remains a short, clipped sequence; rhoticity affects overall speech rhythm more than the individual vowels. Australians may slightly reduce the second vowel, producing a quicker transition: /ˈmæ.nɪk/ in fast speech.
Two main challenges: the short, crisp /æ/ vowel can feel unfamiliar if you commonly use a broader American /æ/ or British /a/; and the /ɪ/ in the second syllable is short and quick, so you must avoid adding a schwa. The flow from /m/ to /æ/ to /n/ to /ɪk/ requires precise tongue placement and a clean /k/ ending. Working on rapid transitions and maintaining two distinct vowels helps solidify the word.
Unique focus: is there a silent letter? No silent letters. The challenge is accurate vowel duration and crisp coda. The final /k/ should be released rather than swallowed; avoid adding a preceding /t/ sound. Aim for a compact nucleus in each vowel and crisp consonant endings to keep the word heard distinctly, especially in fast speech.
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- US: /ˈmæn.ɪk/ with rhoticity not affecting this word beyond rhythm; keep first vowel short and tense; the /ɪ/ is light and quick. - UK: similar to US, but you may hear a slightly crisper /æ/; ensure non-rhotic framing doesn’t alter the vowel. The /k/ release should be audible. - AU: often a bit more centralized delivery; keep the nucleus as /æ/ close to /a/; ensure the /ɪ/ remains short and closed; final /k/ release is important.
Manic comes from the French manic or directly from the Late Latin manicus, from Greek monos ‘single’ and maniakos ‘insanity’ through Latin mania. The early modern English adoption centered on medical contexts describing mental illness or states of mental excitement. The term’s core idea evolved from ancient Greek notions of ‘madness’ or ‘obsession’ to a clinical descriptor in psychiatry by the 19th century, aligning with concepts of mood disorders and energy states. The evolution reflects shifts in psychiatric nomenclature and cultural sensitivity around labeling behavioral extremes as symptoms. First known uses appear in medical writings of the 16th–17th centuries, with increasing precision in the 1800s as psychiatry formalized mood disorders. In contemporary usage, manic is both a technical clinical term and a colloquial descriptor for hyperactive, extreme enthusiasm, though the latter remains informal and potentially stigmatizing. Today, manic retains its dual status: a specific psychiatric diagnosis component and an intense, often chaotic intensity in everyday speech.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "manic" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "manic" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "manic"
-nic sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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