3 syllables: Man, ne, quin. Stress on Man.
MAN-uh-kin
/ˈmænəkɪn/
Mannequin is pronounced MAN-uh-kin (/ˈmænəkɪn/). It has three syllables (Man-ne-quin), with the stress on "Man". Mannequin (pronounced MAN-uh-kin) is a life-sized figure used to display clothing in stores or for artistic reference. It functions as a stand-in model for garments, helping customers visualize fit and drape. The singular form is mannequin; plural mannequins. The term emphasizes a non-human, display purpose rather than a real person.
nounMannequin (pronounced MAN-uh-kin) is a life-sized figure used to display clothing in stores or for artistic reference. It functions as a stand-in model for garments, helping customers visualize fit and drape. The singular form is mannequin; plural mannequins. The term emphasizes a non-human, display purpose rather than a real person.
"The boutique added a polished mannequin to showcase the seasonal outfits."
"During the fashion show, a glassy mannequin stood under the spotlight as the outfits were revealed."
"The student sculpted a mannequin to study human proportions for her drawing."
Mannequin is pronounced /ˈmænəkɪn/ (US) or /ˈmænəkɪn/ with the first syllable stressed. Break it as MAN-uh-kin, with a short a as in cat, a schwa in the middle, and a short i in the last syllable. Keep the final n clear. Audio reference: try listening to phoneme-by-phoneme tutorials and repeat until you can produce MAN-uh-kin naturally.
Common errors include: 1) Replacing the middle vowel with a long oo or eh sound (man-oo-kin or man-eh-kin). 2) Overemphasizing the middle syllable (MAN-uh-KIN vs MAN-uh-kin with reduced middle). 3) Slurring the final -kin into -kin or -quin sounds. Correction tips: keep a crisp schwa in the middle, shorten the middle syllable, and ensure the -kin is a light, quick syllable rather than a harsh 'kin' cluster.
In US you’ll hear /ˈmænəkɪn/ with clear rhotic influence in connected speech; UK tends toward /ˈmænəkɪn/ but some speakers may reduce to /ˈmenəkɪn/ or /ˈmænɪkɪn/ depending on tempo and regional vowel reductions; Australian typically /ˈmæ̞nəˌkɪn/ with a slightly flatter vowel in the first syllable and a fast, clipped middle syllable. All share stress on the first syllable but vowel quality and r-coloring vary.
The word hides a tricky vowel sequence: a short /æ/ followed by a schwa /ə/ and a quick /ɪ/ in a two-consonant coda -kn. The alternating lax vowels and the subtle vowel reduction create a non-intuitive rhythm for non-native speakers. Practicing the middle /ə/ without inserting a strong vowel elsewhere helps; focus on maintaining the light, fast /kɪn/ ending while avoiding over-enunciating the /æ/ and the /ə/.
The -quin spelling often triggers /kwɪn/ in English but is simplified here to /kɪn/. The expected end is a short, crisp -kin (/kɪn/) with a soft liaison into the preceding schwa. Some speakers assimilate the tensed 'n' lightly. The key is to balance the tri-syllabic structure MAN-uh-kin while keeping the middle syllable reduced and the final consonant precise.
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Mannequin comes from French mannequin, meaning 'little man' or 'model.' The French term derives from man, man in English, with diminutive suffix -equin, reflecting small-scale or representation. The English adoption likely occurred in the 18th century as fashion and sculpture industries used figurative models for displaying garments. Early usage referred to life-like figures for art and tailoring; by the 19th century, mannequins became a staple in retail spaces, evolving in materials from wax and wood to modern plastics and fiberglass. The word’s evolution mirrors the growth of fashion retail and display technologies, where the mannequin’s role shifted from artisanal display to standardized consumer visualization. First known English usage appears in fashion and shopkeeping contexts around the 1700s-1800s, with robust attestation by the mid-1800s as department stores popularized window displays and in-store mannequins as marketing anchors.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Mannequin" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "Mannequin"
-te) sounds
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