2 syllables: mid, wife. Stress on mid.
MID-weyef
/ˈmɪˌdwaɪf/
midwife is pronounced MID-weyef (/ˈmɪˌdwaɪf/). It has two syllables (mid-wife), with the stress on "mid". Midwife is a skilled health professional who assists childbirth, focusing on medical milestones, safety, and maternal support. The term blends ideas of “middle” and “woman who helps,” but is used broadly for trained birth attendants. It denotes specialized expertise in labor, delivery, and immediate postnatal care, often in community or hospital settings.
Midwife is a skilled health professional who assists childbirth, focusing on medical milestones, safety, and maternal support. The term blends ideas of “middle” and “woman who helps,” but is used broadly for trained birth attendants. It denotes specialized expertise in labor, delivery, and immediate postnatal care, often in community or hospital settings.
"The midwife guided the expectant mother through contractions and breathing exercises."
"During the homebirth, the midwife monitored fetal heart rate and advised on safe positions."
"She trained for years to become a certified midwife and now supports multiple families."
Pronounce it as /ˈmɪdˌwaɪf/ in US/UK/AU. Start with a short, lax Mɪ sound, then the /d/ as a clear alveolar stop. The second syllable is /waɪ/ with a rising glide into f, so ensure the /w/ transitions smoothly to /aɪ/; stress lands on MID, with a light tie into WEIF. Tip: keep your tongue against the alveolar ridge for the /d/ and release into /waɪ/ without a heavy vowel onsets.
Common errors: turning the second syllable into /wiːf/ or misplacing stress as /ˈmɪd wiːf/; or combining into /ˈmɪdˌwɪf/ with a reduced /aɪ/. Correction: keep the second syllable as /waɪ/ with a clear /w/ leading into /aɪ/, and maintain the /f/ at the end. Practicing slow, isolated sounds helps: break it into /ˈmɪd/ + /waɪf/ and merge carefully, ensuring the vowel quality of /aɪ/ is preserved.
In US/UK/AU, the primary stress remains on the first syllable /ˈmɪd/. US rhotics keep /r/ absent here, but rhoticity is not relevant to this word. UK/AU share /ˈmɪdˌwaɪf/ with non-rhotic tendencies; the /aɪ/ vowel in /waɪ/ remains a diphthong. Australians may have slightly stronger /ɪ/ quality and a more pronounced /w/ onset in connected speech. Overall, the main differences are subtle vowel length and vowel quality rather than rhythm, with the second syllable maintaining /waɪ/.
Difficulties stem from the abrupt /d/ release preceding the /waɪ/ diphthong and the final /f/. The /ɪ/ in /mɪd/ is short and lax, while /waɪ/ requires a precise glide from /w/ into a bright /aɪ/. Many speakers run the two syllables together or insert an extra vowel, like /ˈmɪdwɪf/. Focus on segmenting into /ˈmɪd/ and /waɪf/ with a clean boundary, and practice the transition with a light, quick release and a crisp /f/.
A unique consideration is the contrast between /d/ closure and the following /w/ onset; some speakers insert an unwelcome /ə/ (schwa) before /waɪf/, producing /ˈmɪdəwaɪf/. To avoid this, keep the tongue raised for /d/ release and immediately arc into /waɪ/ without an insert vowel. Also, ensure the /f/ is voiceless and crisp, especially in careful speech or medical contexts where precision matters.
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- US: Emphasize the /ɪ/ in the first syllable, keep a clear /d/ release, and deliver /waɪ/ with a bright diphthong; non-native speakers may flatten the /aɪ/. - UK: Maintain the same rhythm; the /d/ is often released sharply, with a less pronounced vowel in rapid speech; the /waɪ/ remains a strong diphthong. - AU: Similar to UK but with slightly more open /aɪ/ and a tendency to link to following words; watch for a subtle vowel lengthening in connected speech. IPA references: /ˈmɪdˌwaɪf/ across all three.
The word midwife comes from Old English mid (middle) and wif (woman). The compound suggests a woman who stands between the mother and the birthing process, assisting during labor. The earliest recorded usage in English traces to the 13th century, where the term described female attendants who aided in birth, often without formal medical training. Over time, the meaning narrowed to professional birth attendants with specialized knowledge in obstetrics, neonatology, and maternal care. In some regions, midwife practices merged with nursing or obstetric roles as medical science advanced, leading to titles like certified midwife or licensed midwife. The evolution reflects shifts in healthcare systems, from community-based birth support to regulated professional standards, continuing education, and collaboration with doctors. Today, midwives perform prenatal care, deliveries (in some settings), postpartum support, and family education, maintaining a focus on natural birth, safety, informed choice, and culturally sensitive care. First known use appears in Middle English sources, with variations across dialects; by the 16th–18th centuries, the profession is clearly distinguished as a specialized craft rather than a general nursing function.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "midwife" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "midwife" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "midwife"
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