2 syllables: ma, ry. Stress on ma.
MER-ee
/ˈmɛɹi/
mary is pronounced MER-ee (/ˈmɛɹi/). It has two syllables (ma-ry), with the stress on "ma". Mary is a proper noun commonly used as a female given name; in some contexts it can appear as a common noun in phrases like “Mary, Mary,Quite Contrary.” In general usage, it denotes a person named Mary rather than a universal concept. The term is typically pronounced as a single syllable in most English dialects, though its vowel quality can shift slightly with accent.”.
Mary is a proper noun commonly used as a female given name; in some contexts it can appear as a common noun in phrases like “Mary, Mary,Quite Contrary.” In general usage, it denotes a person named Mary rather than a universal concept. The term is typically pronounced as a single syllable in most English dialects, though its vowel quality can shift slightly with accent.”
- You often lengthen the second syllable or insert an extra vowel sound, turning Mary into Ma-ree or Ma-ry. To fix, keep the second syllable brief and end with a clean /i/—not a schwa. - Another mistake is collapsing /ɛ/ into /eɪ/ or /e/. Practice with two syllable rhythm, ensuring the first vowel stays short and tense. - Some speakers over-articulate the /r/ in non-rhotic accents; practice a light /ɹ/ to avoid overemphasis. Try a quick tip: micro-pause between syllables can help keep two distinct vowels.
"Mary walked into the room with a warm smile."
"Please pass the message to Mary when you see her."
"Mary’s new phone case has a floral design."
US: /ˈmɛri/ with a clear first syllable stress; lips relaxed, jaw open on /ɛ/ and glide to a rounded but relaxed /ri/. UK: /ˈmeəri/ in many accents, with a longer 'e' sound and less rhoticity in some regions. AU: often /ˈmæɹi/ or /ˈmari/; a slightly broader vowel in the first syllable. Try to maintain a short, crisp /ɛ/ or /eə/ depending on locale, then a clean /ri/.
Mistakes include delaying the /ɪ/ or misplacing vowel quality as /eɪ/ or /e/ in US/UK variants, and turning the final /i/ into a schwa in fast speech. Correction: keep the first vowel as /ɛ/ (US) or a tighter /eə/ (UK/some accents), then finalize with a light, quick /ri/ without adding extra syllables — ensure the second syllable is not reduced to /ər/.
US typically /ˈmɛri/ with rhotacized /ɹ/ in the second syllable and a short, crisp /ɪ/ or /i/ vowel. UK often uses /ˈmeəri/ or /ˈmærɪ/ depending on region, sometimes less rhotic; the first syllable may have a longer /eə/ diphthong. Australian tends to be /ˈmæɹi/ or /ˈmari/, with a broad vowel in the first syllable and a non-rhotic or lightly rhotic /ɹ/ depending on speaker. Pronunciation remains two syllables but vowel qualities shift.
Because Mary sits at the intersection of vowel quality and rhoticity across dialects. The first vowel shifts (/ɛ/ vs /eə/ vs /æ/), and the second syllable often involves a short /i/ or a reduced /ɪ/ in rapid speech. The subtle differences in lip rounding, jaw height, and rhotic articulation between US, UK, and AU can cause listeners to misperceive as different names (Marie, Maryam, Maree). Mastery comes from listening, practice with minimal pairs, and aware mouth-tose-tongue placement.
A unique aspect is the potential vowel shift between dialects, notably the UK’s tendency toward a longer, tenser first vowel in some accents compared to the US’ shorter /ɛ/. Also, the final /ri/ can blend quickly in casual speech, sounding almost like /ri/ in one syllable in some fast American speech. Paying attention to where your tongue sits for /ɛ/ or /eə/ and how you release the /r/ (rhotic vs non-rhotic) will improve accuracy.
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- In US, keep /ˈmɛri/ with a rhotic /ɹ/; IPA: /ˈmɛɹi/ for some speakers, but standard /ˈmɛri/. - In UK, you may hear /ˈmeəri/ or /ˈmærɪ/; the first vowel is a bit longer and the rhotic /ɹ/ is weaker or even non-rhotic. - In AU English, expect /ˈmæɹi/ or /ˈmari/; the first vowel is broader, and /ɹ/ can be weaker or silent in some speakers. General tips: relax the jaw on the first vowel, keep the second syllable short and bright, and use gentle lip rounding for /i/.
Mary is a female given name rooted in the Hebrew name Miriam (מרים), appearing in the Hebrew Bible. The name migrated into Greek as Μαριάμ (Mariám) and Latin as Maria, later entering English via Latin and French influences. Historically, Miriam was rendered as Mary in Christian and medieval contexts, influenced by Latin Maria and the Latinized form Maria. In the English-speaking world, Mary became especially prominent due to Christian figures such as Mary, the mother of Jesus, contributing to its popularity in many cultures. The name acquired variants and diminutives across languages (Marie in French, Maria in Italian/Spanish, Miriam in Hebrew, Maryann, Mariah in English). By the early modern period, Mary had cemented its role as a common name across Europe, widely used in literature and religious texts, with modern usage including contemporary forms and nicknames (Marge, Molly). Etymologically, the root is associated with the Hebrew “Miryam,” which may derive from elements meaning “beloved,” “rebellion,” or “wished-for child,” though the exact meaning is debated. The evolution shows a shift from a sacred designation to a widely adopted secular given name, retaining religious gravitas while becoming culturally ubiquitous."
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Words that rhyme with "mary"
-iry sounds
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