3 syllables: Pres, ti, gious. Stress on ti.
pres-TIJ-uhs
/pɹɛˈstɪdʒəs/
Prestigious is pronounced pres-TIJ-uhs (/pɹɛˈstɪdʒəs/). It has three syllables (Pres-ti-gious), with the stress on "ti". Prestigious is an adjective describing something that enjoys widespread respect or admiration, typically because of high status, quality, or association with well-regarded institutions. It conveys a sense of esteemed reputation rather than intrinsic greatness. In usage, it often modifies nouns like university, award, or position to signal notable prestige.
nounPrestigious is an adjective describing something that enjoys widespread respect or admiration, typically because of high status, quality, or association with well-regarded institutions. It conveys a sense of esteemed reputation rather than intrinsic greatness. In usage, it often modifies nouns like university, award, or position to signal notable prestige.
- Misplacing stress on the first syllable (pre-STI-dious) or the third syllable, leading to a flat pronunciation; - Slurring the /t/ with /dʒ/ and producing a dull /dʒ/ or /ʒ/; - Weakening the final schwa to a reduced vowel or omitting it in rapid speech. How to fix: - Practice slow, deliberate syllable-by-syllable articulation: pre-STI-dge-ous. - Build a crisp /t/ release before /dʒ/ and keep the final /əs/ as a clean, unstressed schwa. - Use minimal pairs to train the contrast (prestigious vs prestigious? there is only one). - Record & compare to native samples, ensuring audible stress on the second syllable and a distinct /dʒ/.
"The prestigious university attracts applicants from around the world."
"She received a prestigious award for her research in renewable energy."
"They landed a prestigious sponsorship deal with a major brand."
Pronunciation: preˈstɪdʒəs. Stress is on the second syllable: pre-STI-dge-ous with a light final schwa. Break it as pre-sti-dge-ous, the middle 'ti' sounding like 'tɪ' and the 'dge' as the standard 'dʒ' sound. Practice with the IPA: /prɛˈstɪdʒəs/ in US, /prɛˈstɪdʒəs/ in UK. You’ll place the tongue for the 'st' cluster, then a voiced palato-alveolar affricate /dʒ/ after a quick /t/ release, and finish with /əs/.
Common errors: (1) Misplacing stress as pre-STI-dgious rather than the correct second-syllable stress; (2) pronouncing the 'st' as a pure /s/ or /z/ without the /t/ plosion before /dʒ/; (3) weakening the final /əs/ to /ɪs/ or /əs/ in rapid speech. Correction: emphasize the second syllable with a clear /ˈstɪ/ onset, insert a crisp /t/ release before /dʒ/, and finish with a neutral /əs/ or a light schwa. Practice with slow pacing, then speed up while keeping the gum and tongue positions consistent.
In US English, the word is /prɪˈstɪdʒəs/ with a rhotic, clear /ɹ/ at the start and a strong /dʒ/ in the second syllable. UK English tends to keep a crisp /ˈstɪdʒ/ sequence with less flap-like variation; the initial vowel in the first syllable tends to be shorter but not reduced. Australian English mirrors UK patterns but can feature a slightly more centralized vowel in the first syllable and a more clipped final /əs/. Ensure the /dʒ/ sound is voiced and not aspirated too much in any accent.
The difficulty lies in the sequence of consonants /st-dʒ/ and the transition from the /t/ to /dʒ/ without an unintended pause, plus keeping the final schwa clear in rapid speech. The second-syllable vowel /ɪ/ should be short and central without turning into /i/; the /dʒ/ must be crisp rather than softened. Achieve this by isolating the /t/ release, practicing the /dʒ/ as a single unit, and staying relaxed in the jaw to avoid glottalization.
A unique feature is the tight adjacent consonant cluster around the stressed syllable: /stɪdʒ/. The transition from /t/ to /dʒ/ requires a subtle but audible release, a hallmark of careful enunciation. Focus on a brief, clean /t/ release followed immediately by the /dʒ/ rather than letting the /t/ blend into a softer /d/. This precise timing distinguishes careful pronunciation from mumbled speech.
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- US: /prɪˈstɪdʒəs/ with a rhotic accent; keep /r/ out of the initial vowel; emphasize /ˈstɪ/ and maintain a crisp /dʒ/; vowel in the first syllable tends to be shorter. - UK: /ˈprɛstɪdʒəs/ with a potentially shorter /e/ in the first syllable; ensure non-rhoticity; keep /dʒ/ clear and strong. - AU: /ˈprɛstɪdʒəs/ similar to UK, but may have a slightly more centralized vowel in the first syllable and a quicker, lighter /ə/ in the final syllable. IPA references: US /prəˈstɪdʒəs/ or /prɪˈstɪdʒəs/; UK/AU /ˈprɛstɪdʒəs/. Focus on a mid-front vowel in the first syllable and crisp aspiration on the /t/ before the /dʒ/.
Prestigious derives from the Latin word prestigiosus, meaning ‘deserving of respect’ or ‘revered.’ The root prestige traces to prestīgium, meaning ‘a private right, privilege, or illusion of charm’ and is linked to older notions of deception or showmanship that conferred power or honor. In Medieval Latin, prestigiōsus carried the sense of something that commands awe by virtue of reputation or apparent excellence. Over the centuries, the sense narrowed to denote things tied to high status and honor in social or academic contexts. The English adoption through Old French prestige (14th–15th centuries) carried forward the notion of reputational standing or claim to merit, shifting toward describing institutions, brands, awards, and individuals whose status is widely recognized. By the modern era, prestigious reliably signals respectability and elite association, often with a connotation of exclusivity and aspirational quality. The term now frequently collocates with universities, awards, careers, and brands, underscoring social prestige and aspirational value.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Prestigious" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Prestigious" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Prestigious"
-ous sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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