2 syllables: Pre, cepts. Stress on Pre.
PREE-septs
/ˈpɹiˌsɛpts/
Precepts is pronounced PREE-septs (/ˈpɹiˌsɛpts/). It has two syllables (Pre-cepts), with the stress on "Pre". Precepts are formal rules or principles that guide behavior or thought, often within a system of philosophy, religion, or law. They function as authoritative guidelines that individuals are expected to follow. In plural form, they refer to a collection of such rules.
nounPrecepts are formal rules or principles that guide behavior or thought, often within a system of philosophy, religion, or law. They function as authoritative guidelines that individuals are expected to follow. In plural form, they refer to a collection of such rules.
"The monk's daily routine was built around a set of strict precepts."
"Educational codes outline precepts for academic integrity and conduct."
"The company’s ethical precepts emphasize transparency and accountability."
You say PRE-septs, with the stress on the first syllable. IPA US/UK/AU: /ˈprɛsɛpts/. Start with a clear P sound, then /r/ followed by a short /e/ as in ‘dress,’ then /s/ and a final /ɛpts/ sequence where the t is lightly released. Ensure the second syllable is quick and the p-t transition is smooth. Audio reference you can check is Pronounce or Cambridge dictionary audio for /ˈprɛsɛpts/.
Common errors include giving the second syllable too much emphasis (PRE-SEPTS) or turning the /t/ into a strong aspirated stop that makes it sound exaggerated. Some speakers blur the /s/ into /z/ or mispronounce the final /pts/ cluster, making it sound like /tpz/ or /pts/. Correct by keeping /prɛ/ stressed, release /s/ clearly, then a short /ɛpts/ with minimal t-voicing. Practice with slow speed and then speed up while keeping the final cluster crisp.
In US English the /r/ is rhotic and is pronounced before the vowel, unlike non-rhotic accents. UK speakers often have a shorter /e/ in /prɛ/ and a lighter /t/ release. Australian pronunciation tends to be non-rhotic but with a more fronted vowel in /ɛ/ and a slightly longer, softer /t/ release. Across accents the core /ˈprɛsɛpts/ structure remains, but vowel quality and rhoticity subtly shift the timbre.
The difficulty lies in the /pts/ cluster at the end, which requires a precise, light release of /t/ into a rapid /s/ plus a trailing /ɛps/ sound. English learners often fuse the /t/ and /s/ or voice the /t/ too strongly, creating /ˈprɛsɛptz/ or /ˈprɛksepts/. The sequence /sɛpts/ also tests the ability to maintain sibilant clarity after a voiceless stop. Focus on a clean stop-to-sibilant transition and voicelessness of /t/ when preceding /s/.
A unique aspect is maintaining the short, crisp vowel in the second syllable after the /s/ cluster: /ˈprɛsɛpts/ has a brief /ɛ/ before the final /pts/ blend. Your mouth should open slightly for /ɛ/ and then close quickly for the /pts/ release. Many learners add an extra vowel or insert a vowel between /s/ and /p/; keep the /s/ adjacent to the second syllable vowel and finish with a sharp /pts/.
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Precept derives from Middle English precept(e) from Old French precepte, from Latin praeceptum, from prae- ‘before’ + capere ‘to take, seize’. The sense evolved from ‘something that is taken beforehand’ or an instruction given beforehand, to a formal rule or injunction. In classical Latin, praeceptum signified an instruction or injunction that precedes action, often used in moral, legal, and instructional contexts. The word entered English via Old French in the medieval period, maintaining its sense of authoritative guidance. Over centuries, precept came to denote the set of moral or practical rules that govern behavior within a group, institution, or philosophy. In modern usage, precepts are foundational, explicit guidelines that shape conduct, thought, and decision-making, often contrasted with more flexible or discretionary norms. First known use in English hails from the 15th century, reflecting Latin and French legal and theological vocabularies that influenced medieval scholastic and ecclesiastical discourse.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Precepts" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "Precepts"
-pts sounds
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