4 syllables: man, i, fes, to. Stress on fes.
man-uh-FES-toh
/ˌmænəˈfɛˌstoʊ/
manifesto is pronounced man-uh-FES-toh (/ˌmænəˈfɛˌstoʊ/). It has four syllables (man-i-fes-to), with the stress on "fes". A written public declaration of aims, motives, or views issued by an individual or organization. It outlines beliefs, intentions, and proposed actions, often serving as a rallying platform or ideological statement. The term is frequently encountered in politics and discourse about political or social movements.
A written public declaration of aims, motives, or views issued by an individual or organization. It outlines beliefs, intentions, and proposed actions, often serving as a rallying platform or ideological statement. The term is frequently encountered in politics and discourse about political or social movements.
"The party released its manifesto detailing policy priorities for the next decade."
"Although controversial, the activist group used a manifesto to spell out its core demands."
"Scholars debated the manifesto's emphasis on capitalism and reform."
Pronounce as /ˌmæ nə ˈfɛs toʊ/ (US) or /ˌmanəˈfestəʊ/ (UK/AU). The main stress is on the third syllable: ‘fes,’ with a secondary stress on the first syllable. Start with a quick, broad /m/ followed by a light /æ/ or /ə/ in the second syllable. The final /toʊ/ rhymes with ‘go,’ with the 'o' as a long vowel. Think: man-uh-FES-toh. For a reference, you can compare to “manifest” plus “-o.”
Two frequent errors: 1) stressing the wrong syllable, often saying MAN-ə-FES-TO instead of the proper man-uh-FES-toh, and 2) merging the /t/ and /oʊ/ into a single glide like /toʊ/ after a closed syllable, yielding man-uh-FES-doh or man-uh-FES-tow. Correct by holding the /t/ clearly before the final /oʊ/ and ensuring a light, unstressed second syllable. Practice with slow, crisp consonants and a final, clear /oʊ/ vowel.
US tends to use /ˌmænəˈfɛstoʊ/ with a shorter /æ/ in the first syllable and clear final /oʊ/. UK and AU use /ˌmanɪˈfestəʊ/, with a reduced first vowel and a lighter, unstressed second syllable; rhoticity is less prominent in non-rhotic accents, so /ˈfɛst/ can sound closer to /ˈfes/ in some speakers. The final vowel in stressed syllables is typically a clear /əʊ/ or /əʊ/ across these varieties. Pay attention to the vowel quality differences (æ vs ɪ, and ə vs ɪ) and rhoticity in US contexts.
Key challenges include the three-syllable rhythm with secondary stress, the /æ/ or /ə/ vowel in the first unstressed syllable, and the final /toʊ/ sequence after an unstressed syllable with /f/. The cluster /st/ in the third syllable can trip speakers who anticipate a softer /s/; ensure distinct /s/ and /t/ articulation before the final /oʊ/. Training with syllable-timed practice and minimal pairs helps stabilize the sequence.
A distinctive feature is the contrast between the unstressed second syllable /nə/ (or /nə/) and the stressed third syllable /fɛs/; maintaining a crisp /f/ and a clear /t/ before the final /oʊ/ is crucial. The primary stress on the third syllable makes the tempo feel ‘man-uh-FES-toh,’ a rhythm that many learners offset by making the second syllable too strong. Focus on keeping the second syllable light and the third syllable prominent.
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US: /ˌmæ.nəˈfes.toʊ/, rhotic, flapped or approximant /ɹ/ not involved; keep /æ/ or /ə/ depending on speaker; UK/AU: /ˌmanəˈfes.təʊ/ or /ˌmanɪˈfes.təʊ/, non-rhotic, final /əʊ/; vowel quality differences: US tends to a shorter 'a' in first syllable and stronger /t/ release; UK/AU often use a lighter, shorter /ə/ and less pronounced second syllable; both use final /oʊ/ vowel. Emphasize clear final /toʊ/ for all accents.
Manifesto comes from the Italian manifesto, meaning ‘clear, obvious’ or ‘a public declaration.’ The Italian noun stems from the Latin manifestus, meaning ‘visible, evident,’ with manifestus itself from Latin manus ‘hand’ + fēre ‘to make’? Not exactly; etymology scholars trace manifestus to Latin manifestum ‘evident’ or ‘clear’ through Old French and Italian intermediaries. The term appeared in English legal and public-disclosure contexts in the 16th–17th centuries, taking on political resonance in 19th and 20th centuries with the proliferation of party manifestos and revolutionary platforms. Over time, manifesto broadened to any explicit statement of aims, values, and planned actions by groups or individuals, becoming a staple in political, literary, and organizational discourse. The semantic shift from “visible declaration” to “formal program” reflects a move from mere proclamation to a structured, position-stating document used to persuade audiences and mobilize supporters. In modern usage, a manifesto is valued for its clarity, rhetoric, and perceived legitimacy, even as its political content invites critique of partiality, idealism, or strategic messaging.
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Words that rhyme with "manifesto"
-sto sounds
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