2 syllables: Ma, vis. Stress on Ma.
MAY-vis
/ˈmeɪvɪs/
Mavis is pronounced MAY-vis (/ˈmeɪvɪs/). It has two syllables (Ma-vis), with the stress on "Ma". Mavis is a feminine given name of English origin, commonly used in the 20th century. It designates a person bearing that name and is often encountered in literature and media. In everyday speech, it’s treated as a proper noun with the primary stress on the first syllable.
nounMavis is a feminine given name of English origin, commonly used in the 20th century. It designates a person bearing that name and is often encountered in literature and media. In everyday speech, it’s treated as a proper noun with the primary stress on the first syllable.
How to Pronounce Mavis
"I remember meeting Mavis at the reunion."
"The character Mavis wore a vintage scarf."
"Mavis's advice helped me through a tough week."
Typical pronunciation is MAY-vis with two syllables and primary stress on the first syllable. IPA: US/UK/AU /ˈmeɪ.vɪs/. Start with the diphthong /eɪ/ as in 'face', then the lax vowel /ɪ/ as in 'kit'. Finish with /s/. Keep the 'v' sound clear and the 's' at the end soft, not devoiced. A quick audio reference is available in common dictionaries and pronunciation tools.
Common errors: turning MAY-into MAYY with extra length, or pronouncing the second syllable as /æs/ instead of /vɪs/. Another mistake is reducing the /ɪ/ to a schwa in fast speech. Correction: keep /vɪs/ for the second syllable, and keep the first syllable stressed with a crisp /eɪ/. Use a short, crisp final /s/ without voicing change.
In US/UK/AU, the core is /ˈmeɪ.vɪs/. The main difference is vowel quality in the second syllable: US tends to keep /ɪ/ slightly higher and tenser; UK may have a slightly shorter /ɪ/ and crisper /s/. Australian English often features a more centralized /ɪ/ and a slightly flatter intonation. Overall the rhotics do not change the word’s sound, but vowel quality and rhythm shift subtly.
Difficulties stem from the two-syllable balance and the mid-front /eɪ/ followed by a quick /vɪs/. The transition from /eɪ/ to /v/ requires a light but precise lip closure and a clear /v/ voiced fricative. Non-native speakers may misplace stress or substitute /eɪ/ with /iː/ or /e/ and produce /ˈmiː.vɪs/ or /ˈmɒ.vɪs/.
A unique feature is the strong initial stress paired with a short, quick second syllable, which can alter perceived rhythm in phrases like 'Mavis's car' or 'Mavis says'. Maintain the diphthong /eɪ/ and the short /ɪ/; ensure the final /s/ remains crisp even in connected speech. The name blends smoothly into sentences without altering the surrounding intonation much.
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Mavis likely derives from Old French mavis, a term for the thrush bird, which in turn comes from Latin maVIa? The name appears in English-speaking countries in the 19th and 20th centuries, possibly influenced by Welsh or Celtic place names and earlier medieval given names. The exact etymology is debated; many sources link Mavis to the thrush bird symbolizing song and beauty, with the name becoming popular due to literary usage and folklore motifs. First known usage traces to English-speaking communities in the 1800s, with a surge in popularity during the early to mid-20th century, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. Over time, Mavis has become a distinct given name rather than a generic term, though its bird-associated roots occasionally surface in poetic contexts.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Mavis" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Mavis" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Mavis"
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