2 syllables: Ny, lon. Stress on Ny.
NEYE-lahn
/ˈnaɪˌlɑn/
Nylon is pronounced NEYE-lahn (/ˈnaɪˌlɑn/). It has two syllables (Ny-lon), with the stress on "Ny". Nylon is a synthetic polymer used in fibers, plastics, and resins. It denotes a family of high-strength, lightweight polymers created by polymerizing long-chain polyamides. In everyday language, nylon most often refers to the lightweight, durable fabric used in clothing and textiles.
nounNylon is a synthetic polymer used in fibers, plastics, and resins. It denotes a family of high-strength, lightweight polymers created by polymerizing long-chain polyamides. In everyday language, nylon most often refers to the lightweight, durable fabric used in clothing and textiles.
"Nylon stockings were the fashion staple of the era."
"The hiking jacket was made from a sturdy nylon blend."
"Researchers are developing nylon composites for aerospace applications."
Nylon is pronounced NYE-lən in General American and GA-like UK variants: /ˈnaɪlɒn/ or /ˈnaɪlən/. The primary stress is on the first syllable: NY-long. Start with the diphthong /aɪ/ as in 'eye', then the light /l/ followed by a short, unstressed /ɒ/ (British) or /ə/ (American authorial spelling often uses /ɒ/ or /ə/ depending on speaker). Keep the final /n/ clear. For precise guidance, imagine saying 'NYE' + 'lawn' with the second element reduced. Audio references may include pronunciation dictionaries and YouTube tutorials labeled Nylon pronunciation.
Common mistakes include truncating the first vowel into a simple /a/ or /i/ and mispronouncing the final syllable as /ən/ with an overlong schwa. Some learners skip the lateral /l/ release, making it sound like 'ny-lon' without smooth linkage. To correct: ensure the /aɪ/ diphthong is clearly formed as 'eye' followed by a light /l/ and a short, unstressed /ɒ/ or /ə/ before final /n/. Practice by saying NYI + LON quickly as two connected units, then slow down for precision.
In US, UK, and AU, the pronunciation remains /ˈnaɪlɒn/ or /ˈnaɪlən/, with the main difference being vowel quality: US often has a more centralized /ɒ/ or /ɑ/ in unstressed syllables and can approach /ə/ in rapid speech, while UK tends toward /ɒ/ in Received Pronunciation. Australian English tends to be closer to UK vowel inventory, sometimes slightly shorter vowels in the first syllable. The rhoticity is not a major factor here; all three varieties tend to keep the same rhymes, with minimal post-vocalic differences. IPA references support /ˈnaɪlɒn/ or /ˈnaɪlən/ across standards.
The difficulty lies in the diphthong /aɪ/ combined with the light /l/ and the short, unstressed final vowel /ɒ/ or /ə/. Learners may also misplace the primary stress or blur the boundary between syllables, producing NYL-oon or NY-ih-lawn mismatches. Practice helps: isolate the /aɪ/ then attach the /l/ immediately, followed by a crisp final /n/. Pay attention to the unreleased or lightly released final vowel in fast speech, which can be reduced to a schwa. Listening to native speakers and repeating helps solidify the sequence.
Nylon uniquely contains a front, tense diphthong /aɪ/ immediately followed by a liquid /l/ and a short, rounded final vowel. Unlike many two-syllable English words, the stress is unambiguously on the first syllable (NAI). The combination of /aɪ/ + /l/ requires clean tongue elevation and light lateral air flow around the alveolar ridge, then a crisp /n/. This sequencing often trips learners who expect a stronger vowel in the second syllable. Focus on the transition from /aɪ/ to /l/ for accuracy.
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Nylon originates from the late 1930s, coined by Wallace Carothers and his team at DuPont. The term was created as a brand-like, easy-to-pronounce name to apply to a range of synthetic polyamides. It blends the idea of ‘nylon’ with a modern, scientific sound to echo polymers’ advanced nature. The root concept is polyamide, but nylon itself became the public-facing label for several family members, including nylon 6,6 and nylon 6. Early marketing emphasized its superiority to natural fibers, highlighting strength, elasticity, and resistance to abrasion. The first nylon products hit the market in the 1930s, such as stockings, which quickly became iconic. The name stuck globally, and nylon evolved from a generic trade name into a common noun representing a major class of synthetic materials.」,
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Nylon" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "Nylon"
-ron sounds
-ion sounds
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