2 syllables: Min, now. Stress on Min.
MIN-oh
/ˈmɪnoʊ/
Minnow is pronounced MIN-oh (/ˈmɪnoʊ/). It has two syllables (Min-now), with the stress on "Min". Minnow is a small freshwater fish, often used metaphorically to describe something small or insignificant. It refers specifically to a juvenile fish species or a tiny size, typically in ponds or streams. The term emphasizes diminutive scale rather than action or behavior, and it commonly appears in ecological or colloquial contexts.
nounMinnow is a small freshwater fish, often used metaphorically to describe something small or insignificant. It refers specifically to a juvenile fish species or a tiny size, typically in ponds or streams. The term emphasizes diminutive scale rather than action or behavior, and it commonly appears in ecological or colloquial contexts.
"The pond had dozens of minnows darting along the weed line."
"She felt like a mere minnows in a sea of competitors at the auction."
"We fed the minnows to the larger fish in the aquarium."
Minnow is pronounced MIN-oh, with the primary stress on the first syllable. IPA: US/UK/AU: /ˈmɪˌnoʊ/ or /ˈmɪnəʊ/ depending on dialect. Start with the short i as in 'kit' (ɪ), then a clear n, and finish with a long oʊ (oh) made with the lips rounded. Think: MIN + oh. For audio references, consult standard pronunciation tools and reputable dictionaries for a quick listening reference.
Common errors: 1) Saying 'min-NEWW' with extra syllables; correct is two syllables with a long o at the end. 2) Confusing the vowel to a schwa in the second syllable; keep a clear 'oh' (oʊ). 3) Dropping the nasal N or making it a vertical 'n' cluster; ensure a light but audible n between the i and oʊ. Practice by linking MIN + oh smoothly, not MIN-uh-oh.
In US pronunciation, /ˈmɪˌnoʊ/ with primary stress on first syllable and a distinct long oʊ. UK often renders as /ˈmɪ.nəʊ/ with a slightly lighter second syllable; rhoticity is less pronounced, and the second vowel may be more relaxed. Australian tends toward /ˈmɪnəʊ/ with a shorter, quick second syllable and less rounded lip position. Listen to regional dictionary entries to hear subtle vowel quality differences.
The challenge lies in the quick transition from a short front vowel (ɪ) to a tense, rounded long vowel (oʊ), plus maintaining a clean, audible n between syllables. In rapid speech, the final -ow can reduce, muting the clearly enunciated oʊ. For non-native speakers, getting the tongue to glide from a high-front vowel to a closed-mid back diphthong without adding extra syllables is key.
A unique angle is the two-syllable rhythm with a slight pause or light primary stress on the first syllable, but sometimes speakers reduce to a near two-fold quick syllable: MIN-oh. It’s not MIN-uh-oh. The core is keeping /ɪ/ in the first syllable and a crisp /noʊ/ in the second, without inserting an extra vowel sound. IPA reference: /ˈmɪnoʊ/ (US/UK), /ˈmɪnəʊ/ (UK variant).
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Minnow comes from Old English mīnna, meaning ‘less, smaller’ and originally referred to something small or insignificant. The Proto-Germanic root *minna- conveyed smallness or a diminutive sense. Over time, the term narrowed in usage to describe a small freshwater fish, often one of the juvenile stages of larger species. The Modern English form minnaw or minnow appears in texts from the late 16th century, with the sense of a small fish in ponds and streams becoming standard by the 17th century. The word’s evolution mirrors a common pattern where a descriptive term for small size becomes the common name for a life stage or organism itself, connoting diminutiveness and youth. Today, minnows are widely known in freshwater biology as a group of small cyprinid fishes, including species such as the common minnow (Phoxinus phoxinus) and various young carp relatives, though the exact species can vary by region. The term retains figurative use to describe something small or insignificant in comparison to a larger whole.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Minnow" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "Minnow"
-now sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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