/ˈnoʊˌtwɝði/
Say it backNoteworthy describes something deserving of attention or remark; it stands out due to significance or interest. It is used to flag information, events, or items that merit notice because they are unusual, important, or memorable. The term combines notable quality with emphasis on value or importance.
"The report highlighted several noteworthy findings that could influence policy."
"Her performance was noteworthy for its emotional depth and technical precision."
"There are a few noteworthy features in the app’s design that improve user experience."
Noteworthy is pronounced /ˈnoʊtˌwɜːrði/ (US) or /ˈnəʊtˌwɜːði/ (UK). The main stress is on the first syllable, with a secondary tilt on the second unit. Break it as NOHT-wər-thee (approximate) where 'note' sounds like 'note' and 'worthy' merges as -wər-dy; avoid clipping the -ward- segment. IPA helps: US /ˈnoʊtˌwɜːrði/, UK /ˈnəʊtˌwɜːði/. Mouth positions: start with a closed-lip /n/ onset, long /oʊ/ in 'note,' then a mid-back /ɜːr/ in ‘wër,’ finally a neutral schwa-like /ə/ plus /di/.
Common errors: (1) Skipping the secondary stress: emphasize only the first syllable, making it NŌT-ward-e? instead of NOHT-wər-dee. (2) Merging 'note' and 'worthy' too tightly, producing /ˈnoʊtwɜːrdɪ/ with a strong /d/; keep a light /wɜːr/ transition before the final /ði/. (3) Mispronouncing /wɜːr/ as /wɜr/ or misplacing the /t/ with an overly soft release. Correction: articulate the /t/ as a clear alveolar stop, then glide into /wɜːr/ smoothly, and finish with /di/.
US tends to pronounce as /ˈnoʊtˌwɜːrði/ with rhotic /ɜːr/ and a clear /r/ before the final syllable. UK often uses /ˈnəʊtˌwɜːði/ with non-rhotic or weaker rhotics; /ˈnəʊtˌwɜːði/ is common, and the /r/ in the second syllable may be less pronounced. Australian typically aligns with US in rhotic pronunciation but may feature a slightly broader /ɜː/ and a longer vowel in /əː/ depending on speaker; overall /ˈnəʊtˌwɜːdi/ with a less pronounced final /iː/.
Key challenges: the length and placement of the secondary stress on the second syllable, the vowel transition from /oʊ/ to /wɜːr/ that requires a quick, controlled glide, and the final /i/ sound which can be realized as a reduced /ɪ/ or /iː/ depending on speaker. The consonant cluster /tˌw/ combines a crisp /t/ with a following /w/ that can blur if not paced. Focus on clear release of /t/ and steady glide into /wɜː/ before the final /ði/.
Unique feature is the hyphenation-like feel between 'note' and 'worthy' in rapid speech: the second syllable carries a lighter secondary stress and a smooth transition from /t/ to /w/ without a strong pause. In some fast speech, listeners may perceive an extra syllabic break or a subtle schwa reduction in /wɜːr/; keep the /w/ as a distinct glide and maintain even rhythm to preserve clarity.
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US: rhotic /ɜːr/ followed by /di/; keep /oʊ/ long and allow a clear /w/ transition. UK: often less rhotic in the second syllable; the /r/ may be less pronounced. AU: similar to US, slight vowel widening; keep final /i/ crisp. IPA anchors: US /ˈnoʊtˌwɜːrði/, UK /ˈnəʊtˌwɜːði/, AU /ˈnəʊtˌwɜːdi/. Concentrate on the glide from /t/ to /w/ and the schwa-like /ə/ before /di/.
Noteworthy comes from notate + worthy, formed in the 16th–17th centuries as a compound adjective combining the sense of something worthy of note or remark. The root note derives from Latin nota, meaning ‘mark, sign, or note,’ linked to the Greek nomos in some early cognate forms, though in English the core is the verb to note (from Latin notare) and the suffix -worthy indicating deserving of. Over time, noteworthy broadened from a literal sense of ‘worthy of being noted’ to a general descriptor for anything striking or significant enough to warrant attention. First known use traces to early modern English writings where authors described events, persons, or items as noteworthy when they stood out from the ordinary, frequently in journalistic or scholarly prose. The evolution reflects a shift from straightforward annotation to evaluative judgment, aligning with broader English tendencies to form adjectives by combining a value-bearing noun/verb with -worthy. The term today is common in formal and semi-formal registers, especially in analytical or evaluative contexts such as reports, criticism, and academic writing, where a concise cue signals importance and memorability.
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Words that rhyme with "noteworthy"
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