2 syllables: Pol, ice. Stress on ice.
puh-LEES
/pəˈlis/
Police is pronounced puh-LEES (/pəˈlis/). It has two syllables (Pol-ice), with the stress on "ice". Police (noun, plural in form but often treated as singular or plural in context) refers to the organized civil force responsible for maintaining public order, preventing crime, and enforcing laws. In everyday usage, it can denote the organization as a whole or individual officers. In phrases like 'the police are arriving,' it functions as a collective noun with plural agreement in American English and sometimes singular or plural in British usage.
nounPolice (noun, plural in form but often treated as singular or plural in context) refers to the organized civil force responsible for maintaining public order, preventing crime, and enforcing laws. In everyday usage, it can denote the organization as a whole or individual officers. In phrases like 'the police are arriving,' it functions as a collective noun with plural agreement in American English and sometimes singular or plural in British usage.
How to Pronounce Police
"The police arrived within minutes of the 911 call."
"The city increased patrols to support the police after the festival."
"She cooperated with the police during the investigation."
Pronounce as /pəˈliːs/ (US) or /ˈpə.liːs/ (UK). The first syllable is unstressed with a schwa /ə/, the second syllable carries primary stress and features a long /iː/ followed by /s/. Lips relax, tongue high for /iː/, and end with a crisp /s/.
Two frequent errors:1) Slurring the second vowel into a short /ɪ/ or /ɪə/, making /pəˈlɪs/. Correct by holding /iː/ for the full vowel. 2) Misplacing stress, saying /ˈpoʊlɪs/ or /ˈpoːləs/. Maintain secondary reduction in the first syllable and strong stress on the second: /pəˈliːs/.
In US English, /pəˈliːs/ with a clear schwa in first syllable and stressed /-liːs/. UK English tends to /ˈpə.liːs/ with similar vowel quality but sometimes a slightly shorter /iː/ and more clipped final /s/. Australian typically /pəˈliːs/ with broad vowel sound and non-rhoticity affecting preceding R-less syllable context less; the vowel in the second syllable remains a long /iː/.
The challenge lies in the unstressed schwa in the first syllable coupled with a long, tense /iː/ in the second syllable and a final /s/. Many learners merge /ə/ with /ɪ/ or shorten /iː/ to /i/. Additionally, timing between syllables must be even; misplacing the stress can turn it into /ˈpoʊlɪs/ or /ˈpolɪs/.
Unlike 'polite' or 'polish,' 'police' ends with /s/ and has the stress on the second syllable in many dialects, combined with a long /iː/. The first syllable is reduced, so your mouth opens into a mid-to-high position for /liː/ before the /s/ burst. Focus on keeping the second syllable vowel long and crisp before the voiceless /s/.
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Police derives from the French police, ultimately from Latin politia (polis, meaning city, governance) via Middle French police or old French police. The English term entered in the 18th century, influenced by the French police (administration) and the Italian polizia. Initially, European usage referred to civil administration and public order, later narrowing to law enforcement bodies. The root polit- relates to the polis (city) and governance structures; -ice is a form common to French-derived nouns. Over time, police came to denote the organization charged with enforcing laws and maintaining public order. In English, the word evolved from a broader concept of civil administration to a specific law enforcement institution in many jurisdictions, with variations such as police force, police service, or constabulary. The pronunciation shift in English aligns with standard stress patterns and the evolving modernization of police forces in the 19th and 20th centuries, contributing to its current common usage.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Police" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Police" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Police"
-ase sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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