3 syllables: ma, rri, ages. Stress on ma.
/ˈmɛɹɪdʒɪz/
Say it backMarriages refers to the unions of two or more people in wedlock or formal partnership, typically recognized by law, religion, or social custom. In common usage, it also denotes the collective or ongoing institution of wedlock in a society. The term can carry legal, social, or ceremonial dimensions, emphasizing commitment and partnership. It is the plural form of marriage.
"Her marriages to several partners over the years sparked much media attention."
"The country recognizes civil marriages but not religious unions."
"They celebrated two marriages in a single ceremony."
Pronounce as /ˈmærɪdʒɪz/. The first syllable carries primary stress: MAR-; the middle is the /dʒ/ (like judge) sound, followed by a weak, unstressed -ɪz ending. Your mouth should start with a low-front vowel for /æ/, then the /r/ is pronounced if you’re speaking with rhotic accents. In IPA: /ˈmærɪdʒɪz/. Audio guidance: you’ll hear the /m/ with a light bilabial start, then /æ/ as in cat, /r/ with slight tongue backing, /ɪ/ as in it, and /dʒ/ as in judge, before a final /ɪz/.
Common errors include misplacing stress (saying ma-RI-ages) or mispronouncing /dʒ/ as /tʃ/ (fake “mar-ih-choices”). Another frequent issue is dropping the final /ɪz/ or making it a clear /z/ only. To correct: keep primary stress on the first syllable, render /dʒ/ as in judge (not /tʃ/), and end with a light, unstressed /ɪz/ rounded quickly. Practice with minimal pairs like /ˈmærɪdʒɪz/ vs /ˈmærɪdʒɪz/ to feel the ending.
US and UK both use /ˈmærɪdʒɪz/, with rhotic US /r/ and non-rhotic UK often optional in rapid speech yet still heard in careful speech. Australian tends to a similar pattern but with slightly broader vowel quality, maybe a more centralized /æ/ and a more relaxed /ɪ/ in the second syllable. The final /ɪz/ can reduce to a voiced syllabic /ɪz/ or even /əz/ in casual speech. IPA anchors: US /ˈmærɪdʒɪz/, UK /ˈmærɪdʒɪz/, AU /ˈmærɪdʒɪz/.
The difficulty stems from the cluster /dʒ/ after a stressed vowel and the unstressed final /ɪz/. It’s easy to blur the /dʒ/ into /d/ or /tʃ/, and the trailing /ɪz/ can reduce or disappear in rapid speech. Focus on the consonant blend in the middle and keep the final /ɪz/ distinct but quick. Practicing with a slow-to-fast rhythm helps maintain accurate mouth positions and avoids slurring.
A notable nuance is the two-point stress visibility: strong primary stress on MAR-, and a clearly enunciated /dʒ/ before the final -ɪz. The middle /dʒ/ sound is easiest to mispronounce when lips don’t close smoothly or the tongue doesn’t contact the palate. Visualize the mouth kissing the sign of the /dʒ/: the tongue blade rises to the palate, then releases into the /ɪz/ with a quick, soft release.
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Marriage comes from the Old French mariage, derived from late Latin matrimonium, from Latin mater, meaning mother, and scripere, meaning to write or compose, but in classical usage it connoted a social bond or contract rather than the modern romantic union. The term entered English via Norman influence in the 13th century, initially referencing a father’s or community’s agreement in the transfer of a wife’s rights and the establishment of kinship ties. Over time, marriage shifted from contractual arrangement to a recognized social and civil bond, encompassing ceremonial rites. In Middle English, forms such as marage or mariage appeared, reflecting both the Latin roots and Francophone influence. By the 16th century, the concept widened to include the ceremonial act, the couple’s relationship, and the institution’s legal status, gradually expanding to include considerations of legitimacy, inheritance, and social order. The modern plural marriages form emerged as English incorporated the plural suffix -es, aligning with other countable nouns. First known use in print records appears in medieval legal documents and religious ceremonies, with “marriages” attested in the 14th–15th centuries as civil and sacramental unions alike.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "marriages" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "marriages"
-ges sounds
-hes sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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