One syllable: Pet.
pet
/pɛt/
Pet is pronounced pet (/pɛt/). It has one syllable (Pet), with the stress on "Pet". Pet is a common noun referring to a domesticated animal kept for companionship, or to treat with fond affection in phrases like “pet project.” It can also be used as a verb meaning to stroke or caress gently. The term is brief, versatile, and frequently appears in everyday speech and affectionate contexts. The core sense centers on familiarity, care, and non-utility companionship.
nounPet is a common noun referring to a domesticated animal kept for companionship, or to treat with fond affection in phrases like “pet project.” It can also be used as a verb meaning to stroke or caress gently. The term is brief, versatile, and frequently appears in everyday speech and affectionate contexts. The core sense centers on familiarity, care, and non-utility companionship.
How to Pronounce Pet
"I have a beloved pet—a tabby cat that follows me around the house."
"She adopted a shelter dog as her new pet."
"Don’t pet the dog when it’s eating to avoid startling it."
Pronounced as /pɛt/ in US and UK, with a short, lax front vowel. Place your lips neutral, jaw relatively closed, and the tongue high-mid at the front. Start with a light impulse of the lips, then the /p/ release, followed by the short /ɛ/ vowel and quick /t/ closure. Listen for a crisp, single-syllable note; avoid lengthening the vowel. Audio reference: see standard pronunciation in mainstream dictionaries.
Two common errors are a lengthened vowel (/iː/ or /e/) and a devoiced or unreleased final /t/. To correct, keep the vowel short and lax: /pɛt/. Practice with minimal pairs like pet/bet to feel the difference, and ensure the /t/ is lightly released rather than silent. Keep the lips unrounded and the tongue at the front of the mouth for a crisp stop.
In US/UK, /pɛt/ is standard with a short, lax front vowel. Australian English often shifts vowels slightly and may show a marginally tenser or more centralized /ɐ/ or near /e/ in some dialects, but most speakers still render it as /pɛt/. The rhoticity of r is irrelevant here since there is no r sound in this word; the main difference is vowel quality and potential vowel laxness depending on regional influence.
The primary challenge is achieving a precise /ɛ/ vowel and a clean, unreleased /t/ in rapid speech. Many learners substitute with /e/ or /æ/ or merge the /t/ with a flap in some dialects, which softens the ending. Focus on a short, centered front vowel and a clear, crisp stop without voice onset delay. Practice by isolating the vowel and timing the /t/ release.
In careful speech, you might hear a slight vowel relaxation before /t/ in some dialects when the word is stressed; but for most speakers, PET remains a clean, even syllable with a sharp /t/. The unique aspect is the absence of a dominant diphthong or rounding, so your emphasis should be neutral and precise, with the tongue resting at the front of the mouth and the jaw relaxed.
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The word pet comes from the noun sense of affection and familiarity. It entered Middle English from Old North French petit, meaning ‘small’ or ‘little,’ but the sense broadened in English to describe a domesticated animal kept for companionship. By the 16th century, pet was used in affectionate references to objects as well as animals. The modern sense of a beloved animal was cemented in the 18th and 19th centuries as domestic pets became common in households across Europe and America. Over time, pet also appeared in figurative uses such as ‘pet project’ or ‘pet idea,’ implying something cherished or favored by an individual. The etymology reflects a trajectory from size-related descriptor to a term of endearment toward animals and cherished things. The word’s transformation mirrors social changes—urbanization, pet-keeping as a middle-class norm, and a broader cultural emphasis on companionship with non-human animals. The semantic drift from concrete to affectionate can be seen in dictionary attestations from early modern English through contemporary usage, including popular literature, media, and everyday conversation. First known uses are documented in Middle English texts where domestic animals were described with terms of care and familiarity, later evolving into the modern, widely used noun and occasional verb form.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "Pet" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "Pet" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Pet" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Pet"
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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