5 syllables: O, pin, ion, a, ted. Stress on pin.
uh-PIN-yuh-nay-tid
/əˈpɪnjəˌneɪtɪd/
Opinionated is pronounced uh-PIN-yuh-nay-tid (/əˈpɪnjəˌneɪtɪd/). It has five syllables (O-pin-ion-a-ted), with the stress on "pin". Opinionated is an adjective describing someone who strongly expresses their own beliefs or judgments, often with little regard for others’ views. It implies assertiveness and a tendency to judge, sometimes in a biased or obstinate way. The term typically carries a negative or critical tone, highlighting a predisposition toward firm, unapologetic opinions.
adjectiveOpinionated is an adjective describing someone who strongly expresses their own beliefs or judgments, often with little regard for others’ views. It implies assertiveness and a tendency to judge, sometimes in a biased or obstinate way. The term typically carries a negative or critical tone, highlighting a predisposition toward firm, unapologetic opinions.
How to Pronounce Opinionated
"Despite the panel’s misgivings, she remained opinionated about the best approach to the project."
"His opinionated comments during the meeting made it hard for anyone to contribute."
"The article portrays the columnist as opinionated, yet well-informed on the topic."
You pronounce it as ə-ˈpɪn-yə-nˌeɪ-tɪd. The primary stress lands on the second syllable: op-IN-i-tioned. Break it into four parts: the unstressed initial schwa, /ˈpɪn/ as a short, clipped vowel with a nasal stop, /yə/ as a quick 'yuh' sound, and end with /neɪt/ plus a light /ɪd/. Lips and tongue should flow from a relaxed onset to a clear 'neyt' before the final 'id' sound. Think: “uh-PIN-yuh-NAY-tid.”
Two frequent errors: (1) stressing the wrong syllable (often placing stress on the first syllable as in op-), and (2) blending /ɪ/ and /ə/ into an indistinct vowel sequence. Correction: emphasize the /ˈpɪn/ part with a crisp, short vowel, keep the /yə/ as a quick schwa+y, and land on the /neɪ/ before the final /tɪd/. Practice with a slow tempo: uh-PIN-yuh-NAY-tid, then speed up while keeping the four distinct morae.
In US English, the primary stress is on the second syllable: /ˌɒpɪˈnɪənˌeɪtɪd/ with a rhotic r-colored schwa leading into the following vowels. UK English tends to keep the /ɒ/ or /ɒpɪnˈɔːn-ə/ flavor, with non-rhoticity reducing r-influences and a slightly longer diphthong in /eɪ/. Australian English often shows a clipped, fast delivery, with a more centralized /ə/ in unstressed positions and a clearer /eɪ/ in /neɪt/. Core timing and the /ˈpɪn/ stress remain central, but vowel qualities shift subtly by region.
The challenge lies in three phonetic features: the rapid sequence of unstressed vowels before the stressed /ˈpɪn/; the glide in /neɪ/ that must avoid collapsing into a simple /neɪ/; and the final /tɪd/ cluster, where the alveolar stop can blur into a light 't' with a trailing 'id'. You’ll benefit from isolating the four morae, practicing slow enunciation, then linking them with smooth transitions and controlled air flow to achieve a natural, unstilted finish.
There are no silent letters in opinionated; every letter contributes to its pronunciation. The challenge is correctly articulating the sequence op-ɪ-njə-ˈneɪ-tɪd, with four syllabic units. The middle syllables /ɪ/ and /jə/ are quick and lightly articulated, which can cause listeners to miss them if you rush. Focus on the second syllable’s strength and the final /tɪd/ to ensure all sounds are audible.
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Opinionated derives from the noun opinion, which comes from the Old French opinion, from Latin opinio, from opinārī 'to think, suppose, believe,' itself from opīnī (to think). The suffix -ated, forming adjectives, dates from Latin -ātus, indicating possession of a quality. The sense evolved in English from referring to a belief or judgment to describing a person characterized by such beliefs and a tendency to express them boldly. In Middle English, the term began appearing in translations of Latin sources and Anglo-French legal and rhetorical writings, where writers described individuals who asserted judgments as a defining trait. By the 18th and 19th centuries, “opinionated” carried a stronger evaluative nuance, often with a mildly pejorative cast, signaling someone who is fixed in their views and insistent about them. Today, “opinionated” is a common descriptor in conversations about debate, leadership style, and social discourse, frequently pairing with caveats like “strongly” or “controversial” to emphasize the intensity of the person’s opinions.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Opinionated" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Opinionated" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Opinionated"
-ted sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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