3 syllables: Po, ly, gon. Stress on Po.
PAH-lig-ahn
/ˈpɑlɪˌɡɑn/
Polygon is pronounced PAH-lig-ahn (/ˈpɑlɪˌɡɑn/). It has three syllables (Po-ly-gon), with the stress on "Po". Polygon is a geometric shape with three or more straight sides and angles, whose perimeter forms a closed figure. It is used in mathematics and design to describe multi-sided figures, including triangles, quadrilaterals, and pentagons. In everyday language, the term often appears in discussions of shapes, patterns, and polygonal modeling in computer graphics.
nounPolygon is a geometric shape with three or more straight sides and angles, whose perimeter forms a closed figure. It is used in mathematics and design to describe multi-sided figures, including triangles, quadrilaterals, and pentagons. In everyday language, the term often appears in discussions of shapes, patterns, and polygonal modeling in computer graphics.
How to Pronounce Polygon
"The polygon depicted on the diagram has eight sides and eight interior angles."
"In 3D modeling, you’ll create meshes by combining polygons to approximate curved surfaces."
"The classroom activity involved counting the sides of each polygon and labeling their names."
Polygon is pronounced /ˈpɒl.iˌɡɒn/ in UK and US English, with primary stress on POL and secondary stress on go. Break it into three parts: POL-ih-gon. Ensure the second syllable is short and unstressed, and finish with a clear /ɡɒn/.
Common errors include flattening the middle syllable to /poʊl/ or misplacing the secondary stress, turning it into po-LI-gon or PO-ly-gon. To correct, practice the tri-syllable rhythm: POL (short, clipped) - i (schwa can be reduced) - GON (with a clear hard /ɡ/ and /ɒ/ as in ‘lot’). Emphasize the first syllable slightly more than the third, but keep both strong enough to hear the three-part structure.
In US/UK, the first vowel is the short o /ɒ/ as in ‘cot’ or /ɑ/ depending on dialect, with /ɡɒn/ ending. Australian often uses a broader /ɒ/ vowel and may reduce the middle vowel slightly. The main differences are vowel quality in the first syllable and the rhoticity of the final /n/ context; rhotic accents may sound slightly more rounded on the first vowel. Focus on maintaining the /ɡ/ and /ɒ/ sounds consistent across dialects.
The challenge lies in maintaining three distinct syllables with the correct rhythm: a clipped first syllable, a lighter middle vowel, and a crisp /ɡɒn/ ending. The OFF-glide between /ɒ/ and /ɡ/ can cause slurring, and the secondary stress on the third syllable can be overlooked. Practicing with slow, segmented pronunciation helps maintain each segment clearly before blending them at natural speed.
A distinctive aspect is the clear separation between POL and GON, with the middle vowel often reduced. You’ll hear a light /i/ or schwa in the middle syllable in fast speech, but in careful speech you should keep /i/ as a short, crisp vowel. The word’s geometric nature makes consonant clarity essential: the /p/ release and the /g/ affrication are both forceful and precise.
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Polygon comes from the Greek poly-, meaning 'many,' and -gón, from gōn, meaning 'angle' or 'corner.' The term was adopted into mathematical vocabulary in the 17th–18th centuries as geometry expanded beyond simple triangles and quadrilaterals to multi-sided figures. The modern use of polygon encompasses any closed 2D shape with straight sides, regardless of symmetry, and is foundational in plane geometry and computational graphics. Early mathematicians and scholars used polygonal concepts in surveying and architectural design, where polygonal chains and triangulation techniques helped model land parcels and construct complex forms. The word appears in Latinized forms in scholarly Latin texts and later entered English through mathematical treatises and translations from Greek and Latin sources. First known printed uses appear in treatises on geometry and military engineering, with standardization occurring through 19th–20th century geometry curricula and graphic design vocabularies as computer graphics popularized polygon meshes.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "Polygon" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "Polygon" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Polygon" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Polygon"
-gon sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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