3 syllables: Mas, cu, line. Stress on Mas.
MAS-kyuh-luhn
/ˈmæskjələn/
Masculine is pronounced MAS-kyuh-luhn (/ˈmæskjələn/). It has three syllables (Mas-cu-line), with the stress on "Mas". Masculine is an adjective describing gender that aligns with male characteristics or roles. In linguistics, it designates gendered noun agreement or features associated with males. The term is commonly used in social, cultural, and grammatical contexts to differentiate gendered attributes or classifications.
adjectiveMasculine is an adjective describing gender that aligns with male characteristics or roles. In linguistics, it designates gendered noun agreement or features associated with males. The term is commonly used in social, cultural, and grammatical contexts to differentiate gendered attributes or classifications.
- Misplacing stress: you’ll hear and say 'mas-culine' instead of 'MAS-cu-line' when tense or excited. Ensure primary stress on first syllable. - Pronouncing /kj/ as /kju/ or /tʃ/ instead of /kj/. Correct by keeping the palatal approximant /j/ after /sk/. - Over-lengthening the middle vowel: keep /ə/ as a quick, unstressed central vowel rather than full vowel. - Improper final syllable with /n/ or /l/—avoid a heavy /l/; finish with a light /lɪn/. Actionable tips: practice three-syllable drill MAS-kjə-lin, record, compare with IPA guides, and shadow native speakers.
How to Pronounce Masculine
"The masculine form of the noun changes the article in several languages."
"In some sports, the team is divided into masculine and feminine divisions."
"He preferred a masculine style of dress that emphasized structure and hardware."
US pronunciation centers on /ˈmæ.skjə.lɪn/ with three syllables: MAS-kyə-lin. The stress is on the first syllable. The 'sc' cluster yields /sk/ as in scare, followed by /jə/ (like 'yu' in 'your') and ends with /lɪn/. Mouth position: start with a relaxed open front vowel /æ/, then glide to /sk/ and the palatal /j/ before /ə/ and a light /lɪn/ ending.
Common errors: misplacing stress, saying /ˈmæs.kjuː.lɪn/ with a long /uː/ sound instead of /jə/. Another is over-elaborating the second syllable as /kɪu/ or delaying the /lɪn/ too much. Correction: keep /æ/ in the first syllable, render the middle as /skjə/ (not /skju/), and finish with a light /lɪn/. Practice: MAS-kjə-lin with a quick but clear second syllable.
US: /ˈmæskjəˌlɪn/ with rhotic absence or light rhoticity and a clear /æ/. UK: /ˈmæs.kjə.lɪn/ with a crisp /æ/ and slightly tighter /lj/ transition. AU: /ˈmæskjʊlɪn/ or /ˈmæs.kjə.lɪn/, often with a less distinct /r/ but same /kj/ combo. Key difference is vowel quality and the ease of the /lj/ sequence; US tends to a shorter /ə/ in the second syllable. IPA references help confirm subtle vowel duration differences.
The challenge lies in the /kj/ cluster bridging the first and second syllables and the unstressed schwa-like /ə/ in the middle. Some speakers merge /kjə/ into /kjə/ very quickly or mispronounce as /skju/ with an unnecessary /ju/. The key is maintaining a clean /sk/ + /j/ onset followed by a light /ə/ before /lɪn/. Practice with slow pace and IPA reference helps.
Not typically. The first syllable is /mæ/ (US) or /mæs/ (UK/AU) with a short, open front vowel. Some rapid speech can reduce /æ/ toward /ə/ in casual speech, but in careful pronunciation you should keep a clear /æ/ or /æː/ depending on accent. The important feature is the /sk/ cluster immediately after and the /kj/ onset of the second syllable.
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- US: rhotics are less pronounced; maintain clear /æ/ in the first syllable and a quick /kjə/ onset. - UK: slightly sharper /æ/ and crisper /sk/ with a flatter /ɪ/ in final syllable. - AU: often vowel heights are slightly higher and the /r/ is non-rhotic; keep /ˈmæskjə.lɪn/ with a light, even rhythm. IPA anchors: US /ˈmæskjəˌlɪn/, UK /ˈmæs.kjə.lɪn/, AU /ˈmæskjə.lɪn/; focus on /kj/ sequence and final /lɪn/.
Masculine comes from the Middle French masculin, from Latin masculinus, meaning ‘male, masculine,’ itself from masculus ‘male, man,’ related to mas ‘man’ and masculine nouns and adjectives. The root mas- denotes male characteristics; the suffix -inus often marks belonging to or pertaining to. The term entered English via Old French in the 15th century and evolved within grammatical gender systems and social gender discussions. Over time, English usage broadened from strictly grammatical gender marking to broader social gender connotations. In many languages, masculine forms govern agreement with masculine nouns and pronouns, and the word’s meaning has shifted to emphasize male-associated traits beyond grammar, including cultural and sociolinguistic contexts. First known uses in English appear in early modern glossaries and grammars that highlighted gendered noun/adjective agreement, with increasing adoption in modern discussions of gender and identity.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Masculine" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Masculine" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Masculine"
-ine sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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