5 syllables: Ma, ri, e An, toi, nette. Stress on ri.
muh-REE an twuh NET
/məˈriː æn twə ˈnɛt/
Marie Antoinette is pronounced muh-REE an twuh NET (/məˈriː æn twə ˈnɛt/). It has five syllables (Ma-ri-e An-toi-nette), with the stress on "ri". Marie Antoinette is the name of the famous 18th‑century French queen. In English usage it is treated as a proper noun combining a given name and a surname of French origin, and it is often imported with a delicate two‑word rhythm. The pronunciation typically emphasizes the second syllable of Antoinette, yielding a poised, elongated final vowel sound.
nounMarie Antoinette is the name of the famous 18th‑century French queen. In English usage it is treated as a proper noun combining a given name and a surname of French origin, and it is often imported with a delicate two‑word rhythm. The pronunciation typically emphasizes the second syllable of Antoinette, yielding a poised, elongated final vowel sound.
How to Pronounce Marie Antoinette
"You’ll hear Marie Antoinette referenced in historical documentaries and novels."
"The pronunciation of Marie Antoinette can vary slightly between American and British listeners."
"Some speakers stress the Antoinette part more heavily when discussing her life and legacy."
Pronounce Marie as mah‑REE with the stress on the second syllable; Antoinette as ahn‑twa‑NET, with stress on the last syllable. In IPA, US: məˈriː ænˌtɔɪnˈɛt. UK: məˈriː ænˌtɔɪnˈet. AU follows a similar pattern with clear final -et. Think: mah‑REE ahn‑TWAH‑net.
Common mistakes include flattening the stress on Antoinette (say‑MAR-ee‑AN‑toin‑et), mispronouncing Antoinette as An‑toin‑ette with weak ‘twa’, and softening the final -ette to -et without proper voicing. Correct by clearly separating Marie (mah‑REE) and Antoinette (ahn‑twa‑NET), and maintaining final sibilant -t sound with a light, voiceless stop.
In US English, the middle diphthong in Antoinette is crisp (ahn‑twa‑NET) with less palatal rounding. UK speakers tend to preserve the French -twa- sequence more distinctly and may enunciate the final -et with a sharper vowel. Australian pronunciation aligns with General English but often preserves the two‑word cadence with a slightly fuller vowel in Marie. Overall, stress remains on Antoinette in all three, with minor vowel shifts.
Difficulties arise from the French transformation in Antoinette, especially the 'an‑twa' cluster and the final '-ette' ending. English speakers often misplace stress or fuse Antoinette into a single syllable. The mid‑vowel qualities and the liquid /l/ or glides in some dialects can shift, and the two‑word French name resists straightforward English prosody. Practicing the exact IPA sequence helps stabilize the pronunciation.
The name includes a French liaison-like sequence in Antoinette (an‑twa) that can trip learners who expect typical English vowel patterns. The final -ette is not fully pronounced as -et in English; listen for a final tense -ɛt with clear voicing; the stress on NET is a crucial cue. Focus on the two‑word boundary and preserve the French syllable separations.
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Marie is a common French given name derived from Marie (derived from Miriam/Mary) and linked to the Hebrew name Miryam, with widespread use in Europe due to Christian tradition. Antoinette is a diminutive or feminine form of Antoine (Antoine in French), itself from Antonius, a Latin praenomen used across Europe. The compound is French: Marie (mah‑REE) + Antoinette (ahn-twah‑NET). The surname form became associated with Marie Antoinette in the late 18th century, broadening to become a global symbol of Old Regime royalty. The name entered English usage through translations, biographies, and dramatic works; modern English pronunciation typically preserves the French prosody while adapting vowels to English phonology. First notable uses appear in 18th‑century biographical texts and contemporary plays, with the compound becoming a cultural shorthand for extravagant monarchic image.
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Words that rhyme with "Marie Antoinette"
-net sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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