3 syllables: man, i, folds. Stress on man.
MAN-if-ohldz
/ˈmæn.ɪ.foʊldz/
manifolds is pronounced MAN-if-ohldz (/ˈmæn.ɪ.foʊldz/). It has three syllables (man-i-folds), with the stress on "man". Manifolds refers to mathematical or physical constructs that contain many connected parts or layers, often forming a space that locally resembles a simpler, familiar space. In everyday usage within science and engineering, it denotes complex assemblies or surfaces with multiple branches or dimensions. The term emphasizes multiplicity and structured variation rather than a single, simple surface.
Manifolds refers to mathematical or physical constructs that contain many connected parts or layers, often forming a space that locally resembles a simpler, familiar space. In everyday usage within science and engineering, it denotes complex assemblies or surfaces with multiple branches or dimensions. The term emphasizes multiplicity and structured variation rather than a single, simple surface.
- You may squeeze the second syllable too quickly, saying /ˈmænɪˌfoʊld/ instead of the full /ˈmæn.ɪˌfɔːldz/. Try separating the syllables slightly during practice. - The final -folds can be conflated with a plain /ld/; ensure you voice the z in /-ldz/ clearly. Practice by isolating /ldz/ with a short /z/ release. - The /æ/ in the first syllable often becomes a reduced vowel in rapid speech; keep the /æ/ crisp for accuracy. Use slow pacing to lock it in.
"In differential geometry, a manifold is a space that, on small scales, looks like Euclidean space."
"The engine’s exhaust system features manifolds that channel gases from multiple cylinders."
"We explored the manifolds of possible solutions to the equation, considering each branch separately."
Pronounce as /ˈmæn.ɪˌfəʊldz/ in UK/US as long with a primary stress on the first syllable and a secondary on the second. In US, the second syllable often has a reduced vowel, sounding like /ˈmæn.ɪˌfɔːldz/ when syllable-timed. MP subtlety: make sure the -folds cluster is not heard as ‘fi-olds’—keep /f/ and /ldz/ crisp. Audio can be found on Forvo and Pronounce resources for confirmation.
Common errors: treating the second syllable as /ˈmeɪn-ɪ-/ or misplacing stress. Another error is merging /ˈmæn/ and /ɪ-/ into a single syllable too quickly, producing /ˈmənɪ-/. Correct by clearly articulating /ˈmæn/ with a short /æ/ and then opening to /ɪ/ before the /fɔːldz/. Ensure the final /ldz/ is voiced and not /ld/ alone. Listen to native examples on Pronounce and mirror the mouth shape.
US: tends toward /ˈmæn.ɪˌfɔːldz/ with rhotic lenition not affecting the /r/ here. UK: /ˈmæ.nɪˌfəʊldz/ or /ˈmæn.ɪˌfəʊldz/ with less vowel reduction in unstressed syllables. AU: similar to UK, but often with slightly flatter vowels and faster tempo; ensure the /ɒ/ in /ˈfɔːldz/ doesn’t drift to /ɒ/ in some dialects. The important distinction is the second syllable’s vowel and the final /ldz/ cluster which remains clear across accents.
The difficulty lies in the vowel shift from /æ/ to /ɪ/ to /ɔː/ across the roots and the final /ldz/ cluster after the /f/—a tight consonant blend that can blur in rapid speech. Also, the plural -s pronounced as /z/ ties the word to a longer syllable chain in technical talk. Practice slowing the transition between /ˈmæn/ and /ɪˌfɔːldz/ and isolate the /ldz/ combination to build clean articulation.
A unique nuance is keeping the /æ/ sound crisp in the first syllable while not letting the /ɪ/ in the second syllable become too lax. You’ll often hear a light /ɪ/ or schwa in rapid speech, but the precise, academic pronunciation maintains a distinct /æ/ in the first vowel and a clear /ɔː/ or /ɒ/ in the third vowel depending on accent. Use minimal pairs to internalize the contrast.
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- US: emphasize rhoticity subtly; keep /æ/ as a bright, open vowel and avoid conflating with /eɪ/ in the second syllable. - UK: may show slightly shorter /æ/ before /n/; stress remains on the first syllable, with a clear /ɔː/ in the third vowel depending on speaker. - AU: tends toward flatter vowels; keep /æ/ and /ɔː/ distinct; ensure the /ldz/ cluster is crisp and not swallowed. IPA references help you tune quality.
Manifold comes from the Old French manefant/manifant, from Late Latin manifoldus meaning ‘composed of many parts,’ from mani- ‘many’ + -foldus ‘-fold.’ The mathematical usage traces to French mathematician Gaspard-Gustave de Coriolis and others in the 19th century who described spaces that look locally like Euclidean space but can have complex global structure. The modern usage broadened in differential geometry and topology to denote spaces that, while globally intricate, allow local Euclidean charts. The plural manifolds likely emerged with the development of multi-dimensional and fibered structures, where multiple overlapping charts or branches can exist simultaneously. First known printed uses appear in mathematical treatises of the 19th century, with the concept becoming standard in topology and geometry texts by the early 20th century. In physics, manifolds gained prominence as the mathematical stage for spacetime and field theories, reinforcing the term’s sense of structured multiplicity across disciplines.
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Words that rhyme with "manifolds"
-ows sounds
-les sounds
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