5 syllables: mi, cro, com, pu, ters. Stress on mi.
/ˈmaɪkroʊkəmˌpjuːtərz/
Say it backMicrocomputers are small, relatively affordable computers designed for individual use, typically with their own processor and memory. They emerged from minicomputers and personal computers as compact, user-friendly systems for home, education, and office tasks. The term underscores scale and accessibility, distinguishing them from large, mainframe machines while enabling widespread computing in everyday contexts.
- You may misplace stress between micro and computer portions. Correct by marking primary stress on the first syllable of micro- and ensuring a subsequent secondary emphasis before -computers. - The /pj/ cluster in 'computers' can be pronounced as two separate sounds. Practice saying kəm-PYOO-ters with a smooth palatal glide for the 'pju' sequence. - Final plural /-ərz/ must be audible; avoid ending with /tər/ without the /z/ sound. Focus on the z or zed sound in natural speech.
"The lab upgraded its workstations to microcomputers to support individual research projects."
"During the electronics course, students assembled microcomputers from off-the-shelf parts."
"Small business owners often rely on microcomputers for accounting and inventory tasks."
Pronounce as /ˈmaɪ.kroʊ.kəmˌpjuː.tərz/ in US and UK. Primary stress on the first syllable of micro-, with a secondary stress on the compound boundary before pju-. Break it into three parts: micro- (ˈmaɪ.kroʊ), com- (kəm-), put- (pjuː-), ters (tərz). Lips round for the /oʊ/ in 'micro', and the /juː/ in 'computers' is a smooth, palatal glide. Start slowly, then link into natural speech.
Two frequent errors: misplacing stress by saying micro- as un-stressed and misreading the /pj/ sequence as separate P and J sounds. Correct by enforcing primary stress on /ˈmaɪ/ and the second stress on the /pjuː/ portion in /kəmˈpjuː.tərz/. Also avoid pronouncing /kjuː/ as /kju/ with a hard y; keep the rounded /juː/ vowel and keep the /t/ clear before the final /ərz/.
In US English, /ˈmaɪ.kroʊ.kəmˌpjuː.tərz/ with rhotic /r/ in 'computers'. In UK English, /ˈmaɪ.krəʊ.kəmˌpjuː.təz/ often has a non-rhotic /r/ and vowel differences in 'micro' and 'computers' with more centralized or shorter /ə/ in 'computers'. Australian tends to a rhotic accent similar to US but with slightly broader vowels; /ˈmaɪ.kɹoʊ.kəmpjuːˈtəz/ may be heard with early 'r' quality but reduced r-coloring in some speakers. Core syllable structure remains the same, but vowels and rhoticity vary.
Because it blends a stressed two-syllable prefix (micro) with a long, multisyllabic root (computers) that begins with /kəm-/. The tricky parts are the /ɔʊ/ vs /oʊ/ diphthong in 'micro' and the /pj/ cluster in 'computers', which demands a quick palatal approximation transitioning into the /tərz/ suffix. Maintaining fluid liaison across segments and avoiding breaking the /pj/ into two separate consonants are common challenges.
The word contains a compound boundary that can tempt speaker to stress the second word too early. Ensure the main stress remains on the first morpheme 'micro' and let 'computers' carry secondary stress or natural intonation after the boundary. Also maintain the /pj/ sequence as a single palatal glide in 'pjuː'. The plural suffix /-z/ or /-ərz/ should be clear, not swallowed.
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- US vs UK vs AU: US rhotic with clear /r/ in 'computers'; UK often non-rhotic, so post-vocalic /r/ is less pronounced, and /ɒ/ vs /oʊ/ in 'micro' may differ. Australian blends US-like rhotic with slightly broader vowel shapes and less pronounced /ɔː/ in 'micro' depending on speaker. Use IPA: US /ˈmaɪ.kroʊ.kəmˌpjuː.tərz/, UK /ˈmaɪ.kroʊ.kəmˌpjuː.təz/, AU /ˈmaɪ.kɹoʊ.kəmpjuːˈtəz/. Focus on lip rounding for /oʊ/ and a relaxed jaw for /kəm/; keep the /pj/ as a single glide.
The word microcomputers traces to the combination of micro- (a prefix from the Greek mikros meaning 'small') and computer, a term borrowed into English in the mid-20th century. The first part of the compound emphasizes reduced scale compared with earlier, larger computing machines. The concept of microcomputers emerged in the 1970s as integrated circuits and microprocessors enabled mass production of affordable, compact systems. Early usage framed microcomputers as personal devices for home and small business use, distinct from minicomputers and mainframes. The term gained widespread popularity during the personal computer revolution of the late 1970s and 1980s, as products like the Apple II and Commodore PET popularized small, user-friendly machines that could perform a broad range of tasks beyond specialized computing. First known use appears in trade press and early manuals around 1975-1976, aligning with the shift toward consumer-grade microprocessors and standardized hardware platforms.
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Words that rhyme with "microcomputers"
-te) sounds
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