3 syllables: mem, or, ized. Stress on mem.
MEM-ur-eyezd
/ˈmɛmɚˌaɪzd/
memorized is pronounced MEM-ur-eyezd (/ˈmɛmɚˌaɪzd/). It has three syllables (mem-or-ized), with the stress on "mem". Memorized refers to having committed information to memory so that it can be recalled without conscious effort. It describes the process or state of knowing something by heart, often after study or repetition. The term is typically used in educational or cognitive contexts to indicate successful retention and the ability to reproduce the material from memory.
Memorized refers to having committed information to memory so that it can be recalled without conscious effort. It describes the process or state of knowing something by heart, often after study or repetition. The term is typically used in educational or cognitive contexts to indicate successful retention and the ability to reproduce the material from memory.
Correction tips: - Drill MEM-ə-RAHYZD in slow, precise steps: /ˈmɛməˌraɪzd/; tap the time to ensure the schwa lands before /raɪz/. - Use minimal pairs to distinguish /ə/ vs /ɔ/ in the second syllable (mem-ə- vs mem-ɔ-). - Record yourself and compare with a native speaker. Focus on the final /zd/ cluster by practicing with a light breath before voicing release.
"She memorized the entire speech for the presentation."
"The child memorized the periodic table through daily practice."
"After weeks of study, he memorized the phone numbers by heart."
US: /ˈmeməˌraɪzd/; UK/AU: /ˈmeməˌraɪzd/ or /ˌmeməˈraɪzd/ depending on speaker. The primary stress is on MEM-, then a light schwa (ə) in the second syllable, followed by rized with a long I sound. Be sure to glide from /ə/ to /ɹaɪzd/ quickly, ending with a voiced zed. Mouth: lips relaxed, tongue neutral for /m/, slight retraction for /r/, and a final tense /aɪ/ before /zd/. Audio reference: try hearing it as 'MEH-muh-RAHYZED' in connected speech.”,
Common errors include saying /ˈmɛmɔːrɪzd/ with a full vowel in the second syllable or treating -r- as a rolled /ɹ/ in non-rhotic accents. Another frequent slip is pronouncing the final -ed as /ɪd/ or /əd/ instead of the voiced /zd/. Correction: reduce the second syllable to a weak schwa /ə/ and ensure the final is /zaɪzd/ or /raɪzd/ with clear voicing. Practice the sequence MEM-ə-RAHYZD, not MEM-OR-RED.”,
US: stress tends to be MEM-ə-RAHYZD with a clear /ə/ and a final /zd/. UK/AU: softer /ə/ in the second syllable; rhoticity generally non-rhotic in careful speech, but most speakers produce the r-like cue in connected speech. The final /zd/ remains voiced, but some speakers reduce /z/ to a softer /z/ with less alveolar contact in rapid speech. Focus on maintaining the /raɪzd/ portion across accents for intelligibility.
Two main challenges: the two-stress pattern can create a pulley between MEM- and -mized; the -rized cluster requires careful linking and voicing: /ˈmeməˌraɪzd/. The transition from a schwa to a high front vowel /aɪ/ is a common source of error, as is keeping the final /zd/ crisp in fluent speech. Practicing the sequence slowly and then speeding up helps the tongue move smoothly from /ə/ to /raɪz/.
Yes: the separation of the syllables MEM-ə- with a distinct -raɪzd portion is crucial. Some speakers merge syllables, producing /ˈmɛmərizd/ with a reduced second syllable; aim to maintain /ˈmeməˌraɪzd/ so the rhotic or non-rhotic environment doesn’t blur the /r/ and the /aɪz/ final. Listen for the subtle /ə/ before /raɪzd/ and practice inserting it as a light, relaxed vowel.
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US: /ˈmeməˌraɪzd/ with rhotic /r/ in all environments; often a strong /ə/ in the second syllable. UK/AU: /ˈmeməˌraɪzd/ but in careful speech the second syllable may reduce more; non-rhotic tendencies can affect the incidental /r/ spellings in connected speech. Vowel quality: second syllable often a mid-central vowel; final /aɪ/ is a tense diphthong moving to /z/. IPA cues: emphasize /ˈmɛməˌraɪzd/; ensure the /raɪ/ portion has a clear glide and the /zd/ ends with a voiced alveolar affricate. Tips: practice linking MEM + ə quickly to start the /raɪzd/ sequence, and keep your tongue high for /aɪ/ while maintaining a relaxed jaw. UK/AU: keep a slightly higher vowel in the first syllable; non-rhotic r means less pronounced /r/ in careful speech, but in connected speech, the r will appear. Consistency is key across accents for intelligibility.
Memorized comes from the verb memorize, which traces to the Latin memorare, meaning to remember or recall. Memorare itself is built from memoria (memory) plus the suffix -are, indicating the verb form in Latin. In Medieval and early Modern English, memorize carried the sense of making memory or memory-improving act. By the 16th–17th centuries, memorize shifted toward the present sense of committing to memory, especially in educational contexts as printing and schooling popularized rote learning. The past participle memorized emerged as English adopted the -ed participle for past tense and complete aspect, aligning with other -ize/-ize-derived derivatives in later English. First known uses appear in Early Modern English texts discussing memory, memory aids, and education, with the sense crystallizing around retaining content verbatim for later recall. Over time, memorize also broadened to include mental rehearsal and internalization beyond mere rote recall. In contemporary usage, memorized is common in academic, professional, and everyday settings when referencing knowledge stored in memory.
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Words that rhyme with "memorized"
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