4 syllables: Pa, ra, noi, a. Stress on noi.
per-uh-NOY-uh
/ˌpɛɹəˈnɔɪə/
Paranoia is pronounced per-uh-NOY-uh (/ˌpɛɹəˈnɔɪə/). It has four syllables (Pa-ra-noi-a), with the stress on "noi". Paranoia is a noun describing an irrational or exaggerated distrust or suspicion of others, often accompanied by delusions or exaggerated beliefs about being persecuted. It can arise as a mental health symptom or be used more casually to describe a feeling of intense mistrust. The term typically refers to a persistent, pervasive pattern rather than a fleeting worry.
nounParanoia is a noun describing an irrational or exaggerated distrust or suspicion of others, often accompanied by delusions or exaggerated beliefs about being persecuted. It can arise as a mental health symptom or be used more casually to describe a feeling of intense mistrust. The term typically refers to a persistent, pervasive pattern rather than a fleeting worry.
"Her paranoia about being watched made it hard for her to sleep at night."
"The detective dismissed the defendant's paranoia as unfounded, given the lack of evidence."
"In the group chat, his paranoia about hidden motives caused frequent arguments."
Pronounce as /pəˈreɪ.nɔɪ.ə/ in US and AU, with three syllables: puh-RAY-noi-uh. The primary stress sits on the second syllable: reɪ. Ensure the /ɔɪ/ diphthong is clear, then finish with a light schwa. Audio reference: [pronunciation resources like Pronounce, Forvo, Cambridge dictionary].
Common errors: misplacing stress (e.g., pa-RAN-oi-a), flattening the /ɔɪ/ into a simple /oʊ/ or /ɔː/; and truncating the final syllable into a pure 'ah' /ə/ without light schwa. Correction: stress the second syllable with /ˈreɪ/; keep the /ɔɪ/ as a clear diphthong; end with a soft /ə/. Practice with slow tempo and gradual speed.
US: /pəˈreɪ.nɔɪ.ə/ with rhoticity; UK: /pəˈreɪ.nɔ.ɪ.ə/ and slightly more syllabic finale; AU: /pəˈreɪ.nɔɪ.ə/ similar to US but with Australian vowels slightly broader. The /ɔɪ/ diphthong remains prominent across accents. Final syllable often lightened to a schwa in rapid speech.
Because it contains a three-syllable pattern with a triplet of vowels (/ˈreɪ.nɔɪ.ə/) and a subtle liaison between /ɔɪ/ and the final schwa. Learners often misplace the primary stress or merge the /ɔɪ/ with /oʊ|ɔː/. Maintaining a crisp /ˈreɪ/ and a distinct /ɔɪ/ helps clarity.
In careful speech, the final /ə/ is a light schwa; there is no nasal assimilation or alveolar stop after /ɔɪ/. The stable sequence is /pəˈreɪ.nɔɪ.ə/ with a floating, unstressed final vowel.
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US/UK/AU differences: • Vowel quality: /ə/ at start can be reduced to a near-schwas in fast speech; /ˈreɪ/ remains consistent. • Rhoticity: US and AU tend to be rhotic; UK often non-rhotic in some dialects, but with paranoia the /r/ can remain non-rhotic in some British variants when pre-consonant. • Final vowel: US often pronounces final /ə/ clearly; UK may glottalize or reduce more in casual speech. IPA references: US /pəˈreɪ.nɔɪ.ə/, UK /pəˈreɪ.nɔ.ɪ.ə/, AU /pəˈreɪ.nɔɪ.ə/.
Paranoia comes from the Italian term paranoja, which itself derives from the Greek para- meaning beside or beyond, and nous meaning mind. The root nous later appears in Latin as mens. The modern word formed in the 18th century, reflecting a psychological state characterized by unfounded or exaggerated mistrust of others. The 'para-' prefix suggests being alongside a rational mind, but in paranoia the perception is that others are acting against you, even without evidence. Over time, the usage broadened from clinical or philosophical discussions of mental states to everyday speech describing exaggerated suspicion. First known uses in English appear in medical or psychiatric texts of the late 19th to early 20th century as psychiatry increasingly categorized thought disorders. In contemporary usage, paranoia is often applied to less severe experiences of mistrust or conspiratorial thinking, while retaining its clinical connotations for certain pathologies. The term can also appear in pop culture, literature, and media as a descriptor of heightened suspicion or fear, both in individuals and groups.
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Words that rhyme with "Paranoia"
-ria sounds
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