3 syllables: Pre, school, ers. Stress on Pre.
PREE-skoo-lurz
/ˈpɹiˌskulɚz/
Preschoolers is pronounced PREE-skoo-lurz (/ˈpɹiˌskulɚz/). It has three syllables (Pre-school-ers), with the stress on "Pre". Preschoolers are young children who attend preschool, typically aged around 3 to 5 years old, preparing them for formal schooling. The term refers to children who are not yet in kindergarten but participate in early childhood education programs. It conveys a sense of early development, socialization, and foundational learning in a classroom setting.
nounPreschoolers are young children who attend preschool, typically aged around 3 to 5 years old, preparing them for formal schooling. The term refers to children who are not yet in kindergarten but participate in early childhood education programs. It conveys a sense of early development, socialization, and foundational learning in a classroom setting.
How to Pronounce Preschoolers
"The preschoolers lined up quietly for their morning circle and sang a short song."
"Teachers observed how the preschoolers explored shapes and colors during free play."
"The playground was full of energy as preschoolers chased bubbles and shared toys."
Pronounce it as /ˈprɛsˌkuː.lərz/ in UK and US? Actually US common is /ˈprɛs.kjʊl.ərz/? There is variation. The typical US pronunciation is /ˈprɛs.kʊl.ərz/ with primary stress on PRES, secondary on KUL, and the final ERZ. Break it into three syllables: PRES-kul-ers. The 'pres' sounds like 'prez' without the z-sound; 'kul' rhymes with 'pull'; 'ers' rhymes with 'ersa'—you'll finish with a light z. For precise guidance, listen to a model like Pronounce or Forvo.
Common errors include misplacing the stress (saying pres-KUL-ers or PRES-ku-lers with wrong rhythm) and mispronouncing the middle syllable by treating 'school' as /skuːl/ or /skool/ inconsistently, or slurring the r-colored ending. Fix by holding a clear three-syllable rhythm: PRES-kul-ers, with the 'kul' sounding like 'cull' and the final 'ers' as a light /ərz/ or /ɚz/ depending on accent.
In US English, 'preschoolers' often has a rhotic r and a short 'e' in 'pres' (/ˈprɛs.kʊ.lɚz/). In UK English, you may hear /ˈpre.sˌkʊl.əz/ with less rhoticity and a shorter 'er' sound in some speakers. Australian accents often reduce the final vowel slightly and may show non-rhotic tendencies in careful speech, yielding /ˈprɛs.kʊ.ləz/ or /ˈprɛs.kjʊ.ləz/ depending on speaker.
Because it combines a stressed, closed syllable 'pres' with a rapid, mid-front vowel in 'pre' and a light, post-tonic 'lers' ending that can trigger schwa and alveolar/retroflex transitions. The 'sk' cluster and the 'er' vowel sequence demand careful timing: ensure the middle vowels are distinct (k-u inner vowel) and the final s/z varies by vowel length and context.
Notice the transition between 'pres' and 'chool' where a strong 's' leads into a 'ku' glide; the 'school' portion may be reduced to 'skool' in casual speech, but careful articulation ensures you maintain the 'skul' consonant cluster and avoid merging it with the final 'ers'. Emphasize the 'kul' vs 'ku' distinction and keep the final /-ərz/ sound clear.
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Preschoolers derives from the combination of 'preschool' and the agentive suffix '-ers' to indicate people who belong to or participate in the activity. 'Preschool' itself is a compound of 'pre-' (before) and 'school' (educational institution), first attested in English in the 18th century to describe institutions or activities for young children before formal schooling. The term 'preschool' gained prominence in the 20th century with the expansion of early childhood education and reforms emphasizing early developmental support. The suffix '-er' added to 'preschool' creates a plural noun form, identifying multiple individuals who attend such programs. The overall sense of the word emphasizes early education participants and their age range, typically around ages 3 to 5, before kindergarten. The evolution reflects social and policy shifts toward structured early learning environments and standardized early childhood curricula.
💡 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 "Preschoolers" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Preschoolers" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Preschoolers"
-ers sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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