2 syllables: me, mos. Stress on me.
MEM-ohz
/ˈmɛmoʊz/
memos is pronounced MEM-ohz (/ˈmɛmoʊz/). It has two syllables (me-mos), with the stress on "me". Memos are brief written notes that summarize information for quick reference and communication. In plural form, they refer to multiple such notes, often circulated in organizations or teams. The term is common in professional settings and conveys a concise, official tone without needing a formal letter. Usage spans internal updates, reminders, or directives.
Memos are brief written notes that summarize information for quick reference and communication. In plural form, they refer to multiple such notes, often circulated in organizations or teams. The term is common in professional settings and conveys a concise, official tone without needing a formal letter. Usage spans internal updates, reminders, or directives.
- Misplacing stress on the second syllable, saying /ˌmiːˈmoʊz/; keep primary stress on the first syllable: /ˈmiː.moʊz/. - Flattening the second syllable vowel to a neutral schwa or a short /ɒ/ or /æ/; instead, use a clear /oʊ/ or /əʊ/ depending on accent. - Final consonant issues: sometimes speakers voice the last consonant too softly or misarticulate as /s/ instead of /z/; ensure vocal cord vibration for /z/ and release cleanly into the following sound or pause. - Connected speech pitfalls: running /moʊ/ into a following word, causing the second syllable to blur; practice with brief pauses and deliberate transitions between syllables. - Common error for non-native speakers: confusing plural “memos” with singular “memo” in rapid speech; keep the extra syllable audible by maintaining the second syllable’s length. Actionable tips: practice slow, then crescendo to natural pace; overarticulate the second syllable in slow practice, then blend to quick speech while preserving the /z/ voicing.
"The manager sent out memos to all departments outlining the new policy."
"I kept a few memos on my desk to remind myself of the project milestones."
"During the meeting, we reviewed memos from last quarter and discussed action items."
Pronounce as MEM-ohz: /ˈmiː.moʊz/ (US) or /ˈmiː.məʊz/ (UK/AU). Place primary stress on the first syllable, with a clear long /iː/ in the first vowel and a mid-to-high closing diphthong in the second syllable. The final /z/ is voiced; ensure it’s not devoiced in fast speech. Mouth position: jaw opens modestly, lips neutral to light spread for /iː/, then relaxed for /oʊ/ or /əʊ/ before the /z/.
Two common errors: (1) treating the second syllable as a separate, heavily stressed syllable, producing /ˈmiːˈmoʊz/; (2) mispronouncing the second vowel as a short /ɪ/ or /ɪə/ instead of the correct /oʊ/ or /əʊ/. To correct: keep primary stress on the first syllable, and produce a smooth, single transition from /iː/ to /oʊ/ (US) or /əʊ/ (UK/AU), ending with a clear voiced /z/. Practice the sequence “me-moze” in a slow, connected form to build the right liaison-like flow.
In US English you typically hear /ˈmiː.moʊz/ with a prominent /oʊ/ in the second syllable and a clear /z/ ending. In UK/AU, the second syllable often uses /məʊ/ or /moʊ/ with less rhoticity; some speakers reduce to a nearly schwa-like /ˈmiː.məʊz/ depending on speed, maintaining CRUS/ R-colouring absent in non-rhotic contexts. Rhoticity affects the first syllable vowel length slightly. Overall, the main difference lies in the second-syllable vowel quality and the degree of rhoticity in connected speech.
The difficulty rests on the two-syllable structure with a front vowel in the first syllable and a distinct, rounded second-syllable vowel that shifts in rapid speech. The /m/ can blend with the following /iː/ to create a smoother onset, while the final /z/ requires precise voicing to avoid a trailing /s/ or /s/–like outcome. Additionally, many non-native speakers misalign tongue position between /iː/ and /oʊ/ and may default to a reduced second vowel. Focus on clean transitions and a crisp /z/.
There’s no special plural suffix beyond the /z/ sound; however, when spoken in rapid corporate chatter, you may hear a light, almost imperceptible devoicing of the final /z/ or a geminated-like effect in fast lists. This is more about speed and standing in a stream of discourse than a phonemic contrast. Practicing with a polite, voiced ending helps maintain clarity and keeps “memos” distinct from singular “memo.”
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- US: Emphasize the first syllable with a long /iː/, then a strong, rounded /oʊ/ in the second; ensure the /z/ is clearly voiced. Use a slightly higher tongue blade in the first vowel; relax jaw as you move to /oʊ/. - UK: Tune the second syllable to /əʊ/ or /oʊ/ with a quieter; avoid heavy rhoticization on the first syllable; keep the /z/ crisp without voice onset delay. - AU: Similar to UK, but you may hear a more centralized second vowel quality; maintain the same stress pattern. IPA references: US /ˈmiː.moʊz/, UK/AU /ˈmiː.məʊz/. - General: keep lip rounding consistent on the second syllable to avoid a split vowel; ensure your tongue tip lightly touches the alveolar ridge for a clean /z/. - Tips: practice in front of a mirror; watch for lip rounding on /oʊ/; use minimal pairs like “memo” vs “memos” to track the plural ending.
The word memo comes from the Latin memo 'to remember' or 'memo,' which is an abbreviation of the Latin phrase ‘memorandum,’ meaning ‘something to be remembered.’ The English use originated in the 19th century as shorthand for ‘memorandum’—a written reminder or record to aid memory. The plural memos emerged as a natural clipping in business and bureaucratic language to denote multiple short notes, especially in memo circulations or memos of policy. Over time, the formality of memos—initially a more formal memorandum—evolved to a more casual, routine internal communication in many workplaces. The word is now widely adopted in American and international business English, with memos serving as efficient channels for policy updates, meeting summaries, reminders, and cross-departmental instruction. First known uses appear in corporate and governmental documentation in the late 1800s and early 1900s, with the contemporary plural shorthand memos becoming common by mid-20th century. The term has remained stable in meaning since then, retaining its emphasis on concise, purposeful written notes.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "memos" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "memos"
-mos sounds
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