4 syllables: Me, tro, po, lis. Stress on tro.
muh-TRAH-puh-luhs
/məˈtɹɑpələs/
Metropolis is pronounced muh-TRAH-puh-luhs (/məˈtɹɑpələs/). It has four syllables (Me-tro-po-lis), with the stress on "tro". Metropolis is a large, densely populated city, often the chief urban center of a region. The term also denotes a quintessential city with civic, cultural, and economic prominence. In literature and media, it frequently represents urban modernity, ambition, and diverse populations, contrasted with rural areas.
nounMetropolis is a large, densely populated city, often the chief urban center of a region. The term also denotes a quintessential city with civic, cultural, and economic prominence. In literature and media, it frequently represents urban modernity, ambition, and diverse populations, contrasted with rural areas.
How to Pronounce Metropolis
"The metropolis buzzed with lights, traffic, and the constant hum of activity."
"Architects proposed a new skyline for the metropolis to symbolize its growth."
"Policy debates in the metropolis focused on housing, transit, and sustainability."
Pronunciation: /məˈtrɒpəlɪs/ (US) or /ˈmetrəˌpɒlɪs/ (UK). The primary stress is on the second syllable: me-TRO-puh-lis. Start with a relaxed schwa, move to a clear rhotacized /ɹ/ or /tɹ/ onset in the second syllable, then a light /p/ followed by /əlɪs/. For consistent rhythm, keep the syllables even and avoid over-enunciating 'lis' as a separate vowel unit.
Common errors include stressing the first syllable (ME-tro-puh-lis) and misplacing the primary stress on the third syllable. Another mistake is pronouncing /r/ too strongly in non-rhotic accents, making it sound like /ˈmɛtroˌpəlɪs/. The correct US rhythm places primary stress on the second syllable, with a short, unstressed final 'lis'—/ˈmɛtrəˌpɒlɪs/ or /məˈtrɒpəlɪs/. Practice by isolating TRO and PUL in quick, natural transitions.
US: /məˈtrɒpəlɪs/ with schwa in the first syllable and stress on the second. UK: /ˈmetrəˌpɒlɪs/ with less pronounced rhoticity and a more clipped second syllable; sometimes 'met' is stressed. AU: /ˈmetrəˌpɒlɪs/ similar to UK, but vowels may be broader and less centralized, with a slight 'oo' sound in the second syllable depending on speaker. Overall, rhoticity and vowel length differ; focus on the second syllable for US and AU, the first for some UK speakers. IPA guidance helps anchor accuracy.
The difficulty lies in the multi-syllabic rhythm and the secondary 'lis' cluster. The sequence /tɹə/ in many accents can blur into /trə/ or /tɹə/ depending on fluency. The second-syllable stress shift can cause hesitation: me-TRO-puh-lis vs MET-ro-puh-lis. Also, the 'polis' ending has a short, unstressed -lis that can merge with the preceding consonant. Practicing with minimal pairs helps solidify the expected stress and syllable boundaries.
Focus on the nucleus of the second syllable: /ˈtrɒp/ vs /trɒp/ depending on accent, and ensure a clear, unstressed final -lis (/lɪs/). The trick is balancing the 'tro' vowel quality with a light, quick 'p' and a soft 'lɪs' ending. Practicing the middle sequence /trɒp/ or /trəˌpɒl/ helps you land the rhythm. Use your voice to glide from /mə/ to /ˈtrɒp/ smoothly, then finish with a crisp /lɪs/.
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Metropolis comes from the Greek words metrópolis, from métron (measure) + pólis (city). The term appeared in ancient Greek as a descriptor for the 'mother city' in relation to colonies, but in English it evolved to mean a capital city or major urban area. The modern sense—prominent, densely populated urban center—took hold in the 19th and early 20th centuries with the rise of industrial cities. It is often contrasted with megalopolis (a very large urban region) and urban euphony in literature. The word retains its classical roots in modern usage, indicating a central seat of power, culture, and economic activity within a region or nation.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Metropolis" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Metropolis" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Metropolis"
-ity sounds
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