Parachute is a device consisting of a fabric canopy attached to lines that creates drag to slow descent, typically used in skydiving, emergency evacuation, or emergency free-fall deceleration. It can also refer to the act of deploying the canopy or the fabric container itself. The term combines a sense of protection and controlled descent in aviation and rescue contexts.
"A skydiver pulls the ripcord to deploy the parachute."
"The helicopter airlift included a parachute for emergency evacuations."
"A cargo plane dropped a parachute-equipped pallet for quick delivery."
"She trained to deploy a parachute remotely in case of engine failure."
Parachute derives from the French parachute, coined in the early 19th century from Greek para- (beside, protection) and French chute (fall, descent) or chute as a loan from the old French chuter meaning to fall. The concept emerged from attempts to slow a fall by using a canopy. The word entered English in the 1780s in contexts describing a fabric, canopy, or device used to slow descent. Early devices used rigid frames and large fabric wings; over time, the canopy evolved into a flexible, ribbed design with suspension lines. In the mid-20th century, parachutes became standardized for military and sport use, with terms like 'static-line parachute' and 'ram-air parachute' entering common lexicon. Today, parachute is both a noun and verb, with technical jargon often specifying deployment systems or canopy type. The sense of controlled descent and rescue remains central to its meaning, reflected across aviation, military, and recreational contexts.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Parachute" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Parachute" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Parachute"
-ape sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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Parachute is pronounced with four sounds: /ˈpær.əˌʃuːt/ in US and UK dictionaries. The primary stress falls on the first syllable, with a secondary stress on the 'shu' segment in many analyses: /ˈpær.əˌʃuːt/. Start with /p/ followed by /æ/ as in 'cat,' then a light schwa /ə/ in the second syllable, then /ʃ/ as in 'ship,' and end with /uːt/ as in 'boot.' Tip: keep the second syllable short and the final /uːt/ smooth and rounded.
Two common errors are: 1) Moving the /æ/ too long or shaving it into a lax /æ/ or /ə/ in the first syllable. 2) Slurring the /ʃ/ into /s/ or misplacing the /t/ so the ending sounds like /t/ is outside the final cluster. Correction: practice /ˈpær.əˌʃuːt/ with clear, short /ə/ in the second syllable and a crisp, released /t/ at the end. Use minimal pairs like 'parade' vs 'parachute' to feel the boundary.
In US, the 'par' syllable often has a pure /æ/ vowel and the 'shu' cluster remains /ʃuː/. UK often maintains a slightly longer /æ/ and can show a more pronounced vowel rounding in /uːt/. Australian tends to be unreduced vowels in the second syllable, with the /ə/ becoming a clearer schwa-less sound in casual speech, and a brisk /t/ at the end. Overall, rhoticity is less impactful here, but the /ɜː/ quality is not prominent. IPA references: US /ˈpær.əˌʃuːt/, UK /ˈpær.əˌʃuːt/, AU /ˈpæɹ.əˌʃuːt/.
The difficulty lies in the three-syllable rhythm with a non-stressful second syllable and a final 'shoo-t' cluster. The /ɜː/ or /ə/ in the middle can be tricky for non-native speakers, and the /t/ at the end must be clearly released without adding extra syllables. Also, the /ʃ/ sound followed by a long /uː/ can sound merged if you don't separate the syllables. Practice: isolate /ˈpær/ and /əˌʃuːt/ and then blend.
The unique aspect is the contrastive pairing of a strongly stressed first syllable with a lighter middle and a clipped ending. The /æ/ to /ə/ shift and the /ʃ/ immediately before /uːt/ require precise articulation. Pay attention to the boundary between the middle and final syllable: keep /ə/ short and avoid over-extending the /ʃuː/ sequence. This combination often trips learners who are not focused on syllable timing.
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