4 syllables: Po, ster, i, ty. Stress on ster.
pah-STER-uh-tee
/pɑˈstɛɹəti/
Posterity is pronounced pah-STER-uh-tee (/pɑˈstɛɹəti/). It has four syllables (Po-ster-i-ty), with the stress on "ster". Posterity (n.) refers to future generations collectively, especially as the descendants of a person or people. It denotes what will be handed down or remembered by those who come after us. The term often appears in discussions of legacy, heritage, and long-term consequences, emphasizing the impact on future people rather than the present. Typical usage frames responsibilities or hopes for posterity rather than immediate effects.
nounPosterity (n.) refers to future generations collectively, especially as the descendants of a person or people. It denotes what will be handed down or remembered by those who come after us. The term often appears in discussions of legacy, heritage, and long-term consequences, emphasizing the impact on future people rather than the present. Typical usage frames responsibilities or hopes for posterity rather than immediate effects.
"Philanthropists worry about what we bequeath to posterity and how it will shape society."
"The scientists spoke about preserving endangered species for posterity and the health of ecosystems."
"Architects design monuments with posterity in mind, imagining how future visitors will experience them."
Pronounce as /pɒˈstɛrɪti/ in US/UK/AU. The main stress falls on the second syllable: po-STER-i-ty. Start with /p/ as a breathy stop, then /ɒ/ (US short o), followed by /ˈstɛ/ with the ‘ter’ sounding like 'stair' without the r-color, and end with /ɪti/ where the final /i/ is light and quick. Think: po-STERR-i-ty, with the emphasis on STERR. You can listen to native pronunciation on Pronounce or Forvo for audible reference.
Common errors include misplacing the stress on the first syllable (po-STERR-ity) or pronouncing the middle as /ˈpɒstərɪd/ by rounding the final vowel too much. The correct sequence keeps secondary stress on the second syllable and avoids turning the /t/ into a flap. Also, avoid pronouncing the final -ty as /ti/ with a heavy t; instead keep a light, quick /tɪ/ after a reduced /ʊ/ or /ɪ/. Focus on the unstressed final -ty as a light /ti/ or /tiː/ depending on accent.
In US English, the /ɒ/ in the first syllable may be more open in some dialects, with /pɒˈstɛrɪti/ variation. UK English can show a slightly clearer /ɒ/ and a non-rhotic /r/ in some accents, though many modern UK speakers still articulate /r/ before vowels. Australian pronunciation tends to be rhotic with a more centralized /ɒ/ or /ɒː/ and a slightly shorter final -ty. Across accents, the second syllable keeps /ˈstɛ/ and the ending /ɪti/ remains light; rhythm and vowel quality shift rather than the core syllable structure.
Two main challenges are the multi-syllabic structure and the cluster /stɛr/ in the second syllable. The 'ster' portion requires a clear /st/ onset followed by a stressed reduced vowel /ɛ/ and a quick, light /r/ sound. The final -ity demands a reduced, fast /ɪti/ ending that often becomes /ɪ/ or /ɪt/ in rapid speech. Beginners commonly misplace stress or turn the /t/ into an additional syllable. Practice by isolating the second syllable, then link to the first and third syllables.
No. The word has three full syllables: po-st-ER-i-ty, with the second syllable containing the stressed /ˈstɛr/ and the final -ty contributing a light /ti/ or /tiː/ sound. There is no silent letter; the vowels in each syllable contribute to the rhythm. The sequence emphasizes the middle syllable while keeping the final /i/ brief. Visual cues from IPA show the explicit vowel sounds: /pɒˈstɛrɪti/ or /pɒˈstɛrɪti/ depending on transcription, with clear enunciation of each vowel in careful speech.
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Posterity derives from Middle English posterite, influenced by Anglo-French posterite and Old French posterité, from Latin posteritas, from posterus meaning 'placed after, following, later.' The Latin root posterus (placed behind, later) merges with the suffix -itas to form posteritas, implying the state or quality of being after or following. The term first appears in late medieval texts, often in moral, political, or genealogical contexts, emphasizing future generations as those who will bear the consequences of present actions. Over centuries, posterity has maintained a formal, almost ceremonial resonance, underscoring long-term continuity and responsibility beyond an individual lifetime. The word’s philosophical use grew in Enlightenment discourse—highlighting civic duties and legacy—before becoming a standard term in history, literature, and policy discussions about what is passed down. Today, posterity remains a precise, somewhat elevated way to reference the people who come after us and the endurance of our deeds across time.
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Words that rhyme with "Posterity"
-rty sounds
-ity sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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