3 syllables: My, ri, ad. Stress on My.
MIR-ee-uhd
/ˈmɪɹiəd/
Myriad is pronounced MIR-ee-uhd (/ˈmɪɹiəd/). It has three syllables (My-ri-ad), with the stress on "My". Myriad (noun) refers to a countless or extremely large number. The term conveys abundance or multitude and is often used in formal or literary contexts. It originated as a Greek-derived measure, evolving into a general sense of ‘many’ in English; today it commonly appears in phrases like a myriad of options, though some style guides advise restraint in casual writing.
nounMyriad (noun) refers to a countless or extremely large number. The term conveys abundance or multitude and is often used in formal or literary contexts. It originated as a Greek-derived measure, evolving into a general sense of ‘many’ in English; today it commonly appears in phrases like a myriad of options, though some style guides advise restraint in casual writing.
- You might over-smooth the final /ɪəd/ into a simple /əd/ or /ɪd/. Aim for a light, crisp /i.əd/ or /iəd/ depending on tempo. - Another error is misplacing the primary stress to the second syllable (mi-RI-ad); remember the stress is on the first syllable: MY-ri-əd. - Some speakers reduce /ɪ/ in the second syllable too much, making it sound like /ˈmɪr.i.əd/ with a weak middle vowel. Correction tips: practice with slow enunciated speech; hold the /r/ and precise /i/ before the final /ə/; then gradually speed up.
"There are a myriad of stars visible on a clear night."
"The festival offered a myriad of musical genres."
"Researchers faced a myriad of data to analyze."
Myriad is stressed on the first syllable: MY-ree-əd. IPA: US/UK/AU ˈmɪr.i.əd. The first vowel is a short /ɪ/ as in 'sit', the second syllable features an /ɪ/ before a reduced /ər/ or /ri/ sequence, and the final /ɪəd/ often lands as /i.əd/ or /jəd/ before a light schwa or vowel drop depending on speed. You’ll feel: lip relaxation, front teeth lightly touching for the /m/ and /r/ approximant blend, and a slightly raised tongue for the /ɪ/ in the second syllable to maintain clarity.
Common errors: 1) Misplacing stress, saying MY-ree-ad or mi-RI-ad instead of the correct MY-ri-əd. 2) Slurring the final syllable into a quick /əd/ or /əd/ that sounds like /əd/ or /ɪd/ instead of a clear /-i.əd/. Correction: keep primary stress on the first syllable and articulate the final schwa clearly before a light yod sound, ending with a soft /ɪd/ or /əd/ depending on tempo.
US/UK/AU share the initial /ˈmɪr/ onset, but rhotics differ slightly. US tends to reduce the middle vowel less and maintains a smoother /ri/ sequence; UK often displays a crisper /r/ if non-rhotic, with a subtler /ə/ in the final syllable; Australian typically has a flatter vowel quality and may merge the final /ɪəd/ toward /iː/ or /jəd/ depending on speaker. Overall, the first syllable remains stressed, with a short /ɪ/ and a trailing /r/ or approximant sound that can soften in non-rhotic contexts.
The difficulty lies in the triplet of sounds: a crisp initial /mɪr/, a rapid /iɚ/ or /ɪri/ sequence, and a final /əd/ that can reduce to /ɪd/ or /əd/ in connected speech. Balancing the second syllable’ s vowel length with the final velar-like /ɹ/ and the optional schwa requires precise tongue positioning and timing, especially in fast speech. Practice helps lock in the full three-syllable rhythm without dropping the final vowel.
A notable feature is the stable primary stress on the first syllable across accents, contrasted with variable reductions in the second syllable. You should emphasize the /ri/ sequence clearly before the trailing /ə/ or /ɪd/, ensuring the /r/ and /ɪ/ are distinct enough not to blur together with the final /əd/. This makes the word sound precise and deliberate, especially in formal contexts.
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- US: rhotic consonant /r/ is pronounced; keep a tight but relaxed tongue blade near the alveolar ridge. - UK: non-rhotic tendency; you may drop the /r/ in non-stressed positions; still articulate the middle /i/ clearly. - AU: flatter vowel quality; avoid fully rounding the lips on /ɪ/; maintain a shorter, clipped /ɪ/ before the final /ə/ or /əd/. IPA references help track subtle vowel length and rhoticity.
Myriad traces its roots to the Greek word murias or murias, meaning ‘ten thousand’. In Ancient Greek, myrios signified a countless or innumerable amount, often used in military or census contexts. The term entered Latin as mirīa, retaining the sense of ‘many’ before appearing in English in the 14th century via Middle English adaptations. Historically, myriad described a precise large number or a multitude when enumerating troops or items; over time, it generalized to mean ‘an indefinitely large number’ rather than a specific figure. The modern usage emphasizes abundance rather than a fixed quantity, often with a slightly formal or elevated tone. First known use in English literature can be traced to the 15th–16th centuries, evolving through Shakespearean and scholarly prose into contemporary usage. Today, many readers associate it with phrases like ‘a myriad of possibilities’ rather than numeric precision.
💡 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 "Myriad" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Myriad" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Myriad"
-iod sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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