3 syllables: Phent, er, mine. Stress on Phent.
FEN-tur-meen
/ˈfɛn.tɚ.miːn/
Phentermine is pronounced FEN-tur-meen (/ˈfɛn.tɚ.miːn/). It has three syllables (Phent-er-mine), with the stress on "Phent". Phentermine is a prescription appetite-suppressing medication used for short-term weight loss. It is a stimulant-like drug that acts on the central nervous system to reduce hunger, typically prescribed alongside diet and exercise. The term denotes the chemical compound and its pharmacological class, and is used in medical contexts and patient-facing information.
nounPhentermine is a prescription appetite-suppressing medication used for short-term weight loss. It is a stimulant-like drug that acts on the central nervous system to reduce hunger, typically prescribed alongside diet and exercise. The term denotes the chemical compound and its pharmacological class, and is used in medical contexts and patient-facing information.
- Mistake: Misplacing stress on the first syllable (FAHN-teeren-meen). Correction: Stress the second syllable: phrasing as fah-NTEER-meen or fuh-NTEER-meen depending on fluency; keep /tiːr/ prominent. - Mistake: Substituting /θ/ sound incorrectly (as in 'th') in the middle; correction: use a clean /t/ followed by a long /iː/ to form /tiːr/. - Mistake: Shortening the final syllable (/mɪn/ instead of /miːn/). Correction: prolong the final /iːn/ slightly; end with a clear /n/.
"The patient was prescribed phentermine to assist with weight loss during a structured program."
"During the consultation, the doctor explained potential side effects of phentermine, including dry mouth and insomnia."
"Phentermine is often used for a few weeks under close medical supervision."
Pronounce as fuh-NTEER-meen, with the primary stress on the second syllable: /fəˈntiːrmiːn/ in careful phonetic spelling. In IPA: US/UK/AU generally /fənˈtiːrˌmiːn/ or /fəˈnθɪərmiːn/? Note: The common, practical form is /fəˈnˌtiːrˌmiːn/ emphasizing the NT sound cluster. A more precise pronunciation reflects the -teen ending: "-teen" as /tiːn/. In everyday speech, many say fuh-NTEER-meen with the second syllable stressed, and the initial schwa sound is softened.
Two frequent errors are misplacing the stress (placing it on the first syllable) and mispronouncing the middle consonant cluster as /θ/ or /ð/ instead of a perceptible /t/ or /tiːr/. To correct: keep the main stress on the second syllable (fə-NTEER-meen) and pronounce the middle as a clear /t/ followed by a long /iː/ to form /tiːr/ before /miːn/. Practice by saying ‘fuh- NTEER- meeen’ slowly, then speed up.
Across US/UK/AU, the core vowel in the second syllable remains a long i: /tiː/. The ending /ːn/ remains, but some speakers may slightly reduce /ə/ before the second syllable. In rhotic US, /fənˈtiːrmiːn/ is common, while non-rhotic UK and AU variants still maintain /fənˈtiːən/ with a subtle vowel in the final syllable. Overall, the difference is minor; expect minor vowel shifts and a rh eternalizing /r/ in US variants.
The difficulty lies in the unstressed initial syllable with a weak schwa, the crisp /t/ in the middle, and the long, high-front /iː/ sounds that follow. The combination of a three-syllable word with a secondary stress on the second syllable can trip speakers who are not familiar with medical terms. Additionally, the -teen ending may yield variations like /tiːn/ or /tiən/ depending on speaker. Focus on the sequence fuh-NTEER-meen with consistent stress.
A distinctive feature is the second-syllable stem containing the /tiːr/ cluster, where the tongue touches the alveolar ridge for a crisp /t/ and an elongated /iː/. The surrounding vowels in the first and third syllables are relatively reduced or clipped, making the steady rhythm important. Paying attention to the long /iː/ in the second syllable helps maintain intelligibility, especially in fast speech.
🗣️ Voice search tip: These questions are optimized for voice search. Try asking your voice assistant any of these questions about "Phentermine"!
- US: rhotic accent; maintain /r/ in the second syllable if speaking with a light /r/; use a mid-backed vowel for the first syllable /fə/; /tiːr/ is stable with the long /iː/. - UK: non-rhotic; the /r/ is often silent; place more emphasis on the second syllable; keep the /tiː/ sequence crisp. - AU: similar to UK; tends to a slightly broader vowel in /ə/ of the first syllable; retain the long /iː/ in /tiːr/; keep a mild /r/ depending on speaker. References: IPA transcriptions for each region.
Phentermine derives from the chemical naming tradition used in pharmaceutical compounds. The prefix phent- suggests a relation to phenyl groups in the compound, while -erine is a suffix historically derived from amine-derived drugs in the mid-20th century. The ending -phentermine aligns with other anorectic agents developed in the 1950s–1960s as synthetic organic amines designed to influence monoamine neurotransmitters. The term first appeared in medical literature as these compounds were studied for appetite suppression, with explicit labeling of the compound’s generic name as phentermine. As with many drug names, the etymology blends Greek/Latin roots with modern medicinal nomenclature, and the name entered common clinical usage as its medical approval and generic production expanded in the 1960s–1970s. The word’s semantic stability rests on its identity as a specific chemical entity rather than a generic descriptor, which has helped it maintain consistent usage across languages and medical contexts.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "Phentermine" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "Phentermine" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Phentermine" and show contrast in usage.
📚 Vocabulary tip: Learning synonyms and antonyms helps you understand nuanced differences in meaning and improves your word choice in speaking and writing.
Words that rhyme with "Phentermine"
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
🎵 Rhyme tip: Practicing with rhyming words helps you master similar sound patterns and improves your overall pronunciation accuracy.
