2 syllables: Me, mo. Stress on Me.
MEM-oh
/ˈmɛˌmoʊ/
Memo is pronounced MEM-oh (/ˈmɛˌmoʊ/). It has two syllables (Me-mo), with the stress on "Me". Memo (noun) refers to a short, informal written message within a workplace or organization, often circulated to colleagues to convey a reminder, update, or decision. It can also denote a note or memorandum used for record-keeping. In practice, memos are concise, professional, and oriented toward internal communication.
nounMemo (noun) refers to a short, informal written message within a workplace or organization, often circulated to colleagues to convey a reminder, update, or decision. It can also denote a note or memorandum used for record-keeping. In practice, memos are concise, professional, and oriented toward internal communication.
"She sent a memo to all staff outlining the new safety procedures."
"The manager left a memo on my desk reminding us of the Friday deadline."
"A memorandum was issued to clarify the policy changes."
Memo is pronounced with two syllables: /ˈmɛm.oʊ/ in US and UK. The primary stress falls on the first syllable. The first vowel is the short 'e' as in 'bed', and the final is a long 'o' /oʊ/. Mouth position: start with a relaxed jaw, lips neutral for /ˈmɛm/; then glide into the diphthong /oʊ/ with the tongue moving from mid-back to high back as you close the lips. Think 'MEM' + 'OH'. You can hear it in standard pronunciations from reputable dictionaries or pronunciation videos.
Common errors include pronouncing it as one syllable like 'meh-moh' without proper stress and vowel clarity, or truncating the final /oʊ/ into a quick schwa. Another mistake is saying /ˈmɛmmoʊ/ with an unnecessary extra consonant; the final is a single /oʊ/ rather than /moʊ/ as two separate. To correct: keep stress on the first syllable, clearly pronounce /ɛm/ as in 'bed', then move into a smooth /oʊ/ glide with lip rounding and jaw elevation for the diphthong.
In US and UK, memo uses two syllables with initial /ˈmɛm/ and final /oʊ/ or /əʊ/. US typically has /ˈmɛm.oʊ/ with a more pronounced rhoticity in some speakers, while UK often yields /ˈmem.əʊ/ with a weaker rhotic r-like ending and a closer mid-vowel before the diphthong. Australian tends toward /ˈmiːməʊ/ or /ˈmɛm.əʊ/ depending on speaker, with non-rhotic tendencies and a slightly more centralized vowel before the final /oʊ/. The key is the first-stressed syllable, then the distinct /oʊ/ glide.
Memo is tricky because of the two-syllable structure with a stressed first syllable and a trailing diphthong /oʊ/. For non-native ears, the /m/ at the end of the first syllable blends into the /oʊ/; producing a clean hiatus between /mɛm/ and /oʊ/ helps clarity. Also, the /e/ in /ɛm/ must be a short vowel, not a long /i:/. Focus on linking into the diphthong smoothly while keeping the first syllable crisp.
A common phenomenon with memo is the subtle variation of /oʊ/ realization in rapid speech, which can shift toward a lighter /o/ or even a schwa in casual speech, especially in American English. To ensure clarity, maintain a distinct /oʊ/ back-hea.ii is a diphthong where the second element is a glide to a higher vowel midpoint. Emphasize the transition from /ˈmɛm/ to /oʊ/ with a small lip rounding.
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Memo comes from the Latin memorandum, meaning 'something to be remembered' or 'a thing to be noted.' The term passed into English usage in the 17th century as a short written note intended for remembrance or internal communication within organizations. Its core sense has remained stable: a concise, written reminder or record. In modern business language, memo often implies a formal, yet brief, document used to disseminate information quickly. The word memo also parallels other forms like memorandum and memoranda; English usage tends to prefer memo for everyday internal notes while memorandum appears in formal or legal contexts. Over time, memos evolved from handwritten notes to typed memos, and now digital memos in email or collaboration platforms, but the fundamental function—to capture and relay essential information succinctly—stays constant.
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Words that rhyme with "Memo"
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