3 syllables: me, thod, ists. Stress on thod.
muh-THOD-ists
/məˈθɒdɪsts/
methodists is pronounced muh-THOD-ists (/məˈθɒdɪsts/). It has three syllables (me-thod-ists), with the stress on "thod". Methodists refers to adherents of Methodism, a Protestant Christian denomination that emerged from 18th‑century Anglican revival movements led by John Wesley and Charles Wesley. The term can also describe anything characteristic of that tradition or its adherents. In contemporary use, it mostly denotes people who align with Methodist beliefs, practices, and church structures.
Methodists refers to adherents of Methodism, a Protestant Christian denomination that emerged from 18th‑century Anglican revival movements led by John Wesley and Charles Wesley. The term can also describe anything characteristic of that tradition or its adherents. In contemporary use, it mostly denotes people who align with Methodist beliefs, practices, and church structures.
"The Methodists met for a community study on Friday evenings."
"She attended a Methodist church while traveling and enjoyed the hymn singing."
"The conference welcomed Methodists from several regions to discuss missions."
Pronounce as /ˈmɛθ.ə.dɪsts/ (US) or /ˈmet.hə.dɪsts/ (UK). The main stress is on the first syllable: MEN-thuh-dists. Start with a clear M, then a short E as in 'bet', followed by th as in 'think' with the tongue blade between teeth, a schwa-like second syllable, and ends with dists. For speakers, think: METH-uh-dists, with the final -ists sounding like -dists. Listen to native audio to lock the /ˈmɛθ.ə.dɪsts/ rhythm.
Common errors: (1) Misplacing stress on the second syllable (meh-THO-dists). (2) Slurring or reducing the second syllable to a full vowel like 'uh' without a light schwa; ensure the middle /ə/ is reduced, not omitted. (3) Mispronouncing the final -ists as -ists with an extra i or z, producing /ˈmɛθ.ə.dɪɪsts/ or /ˈmɛθ.ə.dɪs t s/. Correct by keeping /dɪsts/ and not turning the t into a sibilant. Practice the sequence METH-uh-dists.
US: /ˈmɛθ.ə.dɪsts/ with rhoticity by default; quick, crisp /θ/ and light /ə/. UK: /ˈmet.hə.dɪsts/ may keep a shorter /e/ in the first syllable and a slightly crisper /t/; non-rhotic tendencies may mute post-consonantal r influence (not applicable here). AU: /ˈmɛθə.dɪsts/ similar to US, often with broader vowels. Main differences are vowel quality in the first syllable and potential sturdier /t/ articulation.
The difficulty centers on the cluster /θ/ (th in 'method') combined with a short, unstressed mid vowel in the second syllable. The sequence /θ.ə/ can be challenging for learners who substitute with /t/ or /d/ or misplace the /t/ timing. Additionally, ensuring the final /dɪsts/ is not reduced to /dɪsts/ or /dɪs/ requires careful mouth positioning and voicing. Focus on tongue placement and a clean /d/ before the /ɪsts/.
Do you pronounce the -th- in 'method' as a dental /θ/ or as a /t/ in 'methodists'? Answer: It remains the dental fricative /θ/ in standard pronunciations, as in 'think' or 'bath', followed by the schwa in the second syllable. The letter sequence indicates a genuine /θ/ before a light /ə/; ensure the tongue rests between teeth for the /θ/ sound, not a stop. This matters for accuracy and intelligibility.
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US: rhotic, more rounded /ɔ/ or /ɒ/ variants not involved here; UK: less rhoticity and more crisp /t/; AU: vowel quality closer to US with less distinct rhotic influence; IPA notes: US /ˈmɛθ.ə.dɪsts/, UK /ˈmet.hə.dɪsts/, AU /ˈmɛθə.dɪsts/. Vowel lengths are short in all; focus on accurate /θ/ and final cluster /dɪsts/.
The word Methodist derives from English Methodist (late 18th century). It originally emerged as a pejorative nickname for members of a revival movement within the Church of England led by John Wesley and his brother Charles Wesley. The term spread as the movement grew into a distinct denomination in the 18th and 19th centuries. Its core idea—emphasizing disciplined piety, structured class meetings, and methodical devotion—was reflected in the label, which captured the perceived excessive method or orderliness of the group. Over time, adherents embraced the term, and it became an accepted denominational name globally. The root “method” plus the -ist suffix denotes a practitioner or adherent of a particular method or system, aligning with the group’s organized, methodical approach to faith and community life. First known use in religious texts traces to late 1700s Britain, and the term's use expanded with Wesleyan societies establishing churches and conferences worldwide through the 19th and 20th centuries.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "methodists" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "methodists" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "methodists"
-sts sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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