3 syllables: may, flow, er. Stress on may.
MAY-flow-ur
/ˈmeɪˌflaʊɚ/
mayflower is pronounced MAY-flow-ur (/ˈmeɪˌflaʊɚ/). It has three syllables (may-flow-er), with the stress on "may". Mayflower is a compound noun referring to the historic ship that carried the Pilgrims to North America in 1620, or more broadly to anything associated with that voyage or season of blooming. It denotes a proper noun in its most common use, though it can appear in descriptive phrases or as a literary allusion. In speech, it’s typically stressed on the first syllable.
Mayflower is a compound noun referring to the historic ship that carried the Pilgrims to North America in 1620, or more broadly to anything associated with that voyage or season of blooming. It denotes a proper noun in its most common use, though it can appear in descriptive phrases or as a literary allusion. In speech, it’s typically stressed on the first syllable.
"The Mayflower sailed from England in 1620 and carried settlers to Plymouth Colony."
"In autumn, the mayflower bushes bloom with pale pink blossoms."
"The ship Mayflower has a storied place in American history and literature."
Say MAY-flow-er with primary stress on MAY and a clear /ˈmeɪˌflaʊər/ in US or /ˈmeɪˌfloʊə/ in UK, where the second syllable has a long O in some accents. Keep the 'flow' portion as a single, smooth consonant blend: /fleɪ/ or /floʊ/ depending on accent. Quick tip: avoid separating the syllables too much; aim for a crisp but fluid three-syllable word. IPA references: US /ˈmeɪˌflaʊər/, UK /ˈmeɪˌfloʊə/.
Mistakes include flattening the vowel in the first syllable (saying ‘meh’ instead of ‘may’) and misrendering the second syllable as a short /ə/ or a sharp ‘flower’ with a tense /aʊ/. Correct by ensuring /eɪ/ in MAY and a relaxed/diphthong /aʊ/ in FLOWER; pronounce the final schwa or reduced vowel in /ər/ or /ə/ depending on accent. Focus on keeping /ˈmeɪ/ long, then /ˈflaʊər/ with a natural glide.
In US English, you’ll hear /ˈmeɪˌflaʊər/ with a rhotic final /r/. In many UK accents, /ˈmeɪˌfloʊə/ tends to have a non-rhotic /r/ or a weaker rhoticity, with a more rounded /oʊ/ or even /ə/ at the end. Australian speech often merges the /floʊə/ toward /fləː/ or /fləːɚ/, with a less pronounced final /ə/ and a slightly more centralized vowel in the second syllable. Emphasis remains on MAY; the second syllable’s vowel quality shifts subtly by accent.
The difficulty lies in the smooth transition between the diphthongs /eɪ/ and /aʊ/ and the final /ər/ or /ə/. The sequence /ˈmeɪˌflaʊər/ requires precise mouth shaping: a front tongue position for /eɪ/, a rapid glide into /aʊ/, and a reduced final syllable that may vanish in rapid speech. Non-native speakers often misplace stress or exaggerate the second syllable, making it sound artificial.
A distinctive feature is the optional subtle linking between syllables in fluent speech: you can lightly connect /ˈmeɪ/ and /ˈflaʊər/ to create a gliding transition, especially before consonants in rapid speech. Also, in some UK dialects, the second syllable may sound almost like /floʊə/ without a strong /ər/ ending, giving a smoother, nearly monosyllabic finish in casual use.
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Mayflower originates from Middle English. The word is a compound: may (a month-name, but here representing the spring month of May and the blooming season) and flower (the flowering plant). The Mayflower ship’s name is believed to derive from the flower symbolism associated with spring, rebirth, and beauty. The term appears in English records from the early 17th century, most famously as the name of the ship that carried the Pilgrims to America in 1620. The ship was part of a voyage funded by English Separatists seeking religious freedom; the vessel’s notoriety gave the name enduring cultural resonance in American history and literature. Over time, “Mayflower” has also entered as a symbol of early colonial heritage, romanticized in poems, commemorations, and place names. In modern usage, it often serves as a proper noun for historical reference, educational contexts, and as a literary or symbolic allusion to spring and renewal.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "mayflower" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "mayflower"
-wer sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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