2 syllables: Ma, yor. Stress on Ma.
MAY-ur
/ˈmeɪɚ/
Mayor is pronounced MAY-ur (/ˈmeɪɚ/). It has two syllables (Ma-yor), with the stress on "Ma". Mayor is a noun meaning the elected head of a city or town who oversees administration and public policy. It can also refer to the head of a municipal government in some countries, sometimes with ceremonial duties. The term emphasizes leadership and governance at the local level rather than national authority.
nounMayor is a noun meaning the elected head of a city or town who oversees administration and public policy. It can also refer to the head of a municipal government in some countries, sometimes with ceremonial duties. The term emphasizes leadership and governance at the local level rather than national authority.
- Pronouncing as two strong syllables with a pronounced 'r' in the second syllable (may-ER) instead of a reduced /ər/; correct by practicing to end with a relaxed, almost neutral schwa or a light /ɚ/. - Overpronouncing the second vowel, turning /ə/ into /ɜː/ or /ɪə/; fix by keeping the second syllable short and soft, using a breath cycle between syllables. - Not linking to following words, which makes the phrase sound choppy; practice running the final /ər/ into the next word by phrase-singing style. - In non-rhotic accents, you might drop the second syllable too much; aim for a subtle, almost unstressed ending rather than a full 'r'. - Confusion with 'major' due to similar spelling; use minimal pairs mayor/major to train the distinguishing vowel and consonant patterns.
"The mayor unveiled a new plan to improve public transit."
"Citizens gathered at the town hall to hear the mayor speak."
"The mayor's budget proposal aimed to increase funding for schools."
Pronounce as /ˈmeɪər/. The first syllable stresses the middle vowel sound like 'may' in 'day' and 'air' for the second syllable; the final sound resembles 'er' in 'her' in non-rhotic accents. In US and UK English, the combined sound is /ˈmeɪər/ with a light linking to the second syllable. Pay attention to the long /eɪ/ in the first syllable and a single schwa-like or reduced /ə/ in fast speech. You’ll hear it as MAY-er with a smooth glide between syllables. Audio reference: typical recordings on pronunciation resources show /ˈmeɪər/.
Two common errors: (1) pronouncing it as two syllables with a hard 'r' after the 'may' (may-AR) rather than a smooth /ˈmeɪər/. (2) Conflating it with ‘major’ by overemphasizing the /dʒ/ or closing the vowel too tightly. Correction: keep the /eɪ/ as a long vowel in the first syllable, then relax into a reduced /ər/ or /ər/ depending on accent. Practice with minimal pairs like mayor – major to hear the subtle difference in the middle consonant cluster. Listen to native speakers and mimic the natural linking.
In US English, /ˈmeɪər/ with rhoticity less emphasized; the second syllable often reduces to a schwa or /ɚ/ in connected speech. UK English tends toward /ˈmeɪə/ or /ˈmeɪəɹ/ with less rhotic r, and the second syllable can be a reduced /ə/. Australian English commonly preserves /ˈmeɪə/ but with a slightly diphthongized first vowel and a less pronounced rhotic ending. Across accents, the main divergence is the treatment of the second syllable: rhotacized /ər/ in American usage vs non-rhotic endings in British varieties; the first syllable remains /ˈmeɪ/. Audio samples help you hear these shifts.
The challenge lies in the two-syllable sequence that naturally glides from /eɪ/ to a reduced /ər/ or /ə/ depending on accent, plus subtle rhotic or non-rhotic endings. Learners often tense the jaw or lock the mouth into 'may' before forcing a strong 'or' sound, creating an unnatural pause. Focus on a smooth transition from the long /eɪ/ to a light, unstressed /ə/ or /ɚ/ and maintain a relaxed jaw. Listening to native speakers and repeating with controlled breath helps you master the glide between syllables.
A unique aspect is the optional linking and reduction in fast speech: many speakers run the ending /ər/ into the next word (for example, 'may-or of' becoming 'may-ruv' in quick talk). Also, non-rhotic speakers may drop the 'r' in the final position unless the following word starts with a vowel. This makes the same word sound subtly different in contexts like 'the mayor of the city' versus 'the mayor said'. Understanding the nuance helps you sound natural in context.
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- US: /ˈmeɪɚ/ or /ˈmeɪɚ/; keep /eɪ/ clear, then a short relaxed /ɚ/; allow linking to next word. - UK: /ˈmeɪə/; weaker rhoticity; second syllable reduced to /ə/ or /əː/ depending on locale; ensure you don’t overemphasize an 'er'. - AU: /ˈmeɪə/; similar to UK but with a more centralized vowel; keep the first syllable bright and the second light. - IPA anchors: remember /ˈmeɪər/ (US) vs /ˈmeɪə/ (UK/AU); practice mouth shapes: lip rounding minor; tongue high for /eɪ/, then relaxed jaw for the second syllable. - Tips: practice with linking to the next word (the mayor of), mouth stays relaxed, alveolar ridge lightly touches for final /ɹ/ if present in your accent; think 'may-air' without a strong 'r' sound.
The word mayor derives from Old French maire, from Latin maior meaning ‘greater, superior.’ In medieval and early modern Europe, maire/major designated a chief officer or leader of a town or castellany, often backed by a municipal council. The term entered English via Norman French during the Middle Ages, aligning with analogous titles in continental governance. In English, mayor evolved through Middle English as meire, meyer, and later mayor, with shifts in pronunciation influenced by the Great Vowel Shift. Historically, mayorships were both administrative and symbolic, varying in power by jurisdiction. The precise role has shifted over centuries, from magistrate with broad authority to more ceremonial positions in some modern municipalities, though others retain executive governance. First known usage in English dates to the 13th-14th centuries, with early records describing a holder of public office charged with maintenance of order, revenue, and city defenses. Over time, the title has become standardized, with separate spellings such as mayor and mayoress (feminine), while in some regions, the municipal leader is called burgomaster or sindaco, reflecting linguistic diversity in Europe and beyond.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Mayor" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Mayor" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Mayor"
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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