/ˈpɹaɪsəz/
Say it backPrices refers to the amounts charged for goods or services, or the current asking prices of items in a market. It can function as a noun (the price levels) or, less commonly, as a verb form in plural contexts where speakers discuss multiple price points. The term conveys monetary value and is frequently used in commerce, economics, and everyday shopping discussions.
- You might pronounce it as /ˈpraɪ.sɪt/ or /ˈpraɪ.sɪz/ with a devoiced ending; focus on maintaining clear voicing through the final /z/. - Another common error is shortening the first syllable too much, resulting in /ˈpraɪ.sɪz/ with a weak initial stress; keep primary stress on the first syllable and a crisp /aɪ/ diphthong. - In rapid speech, the /ɪ/ can be reduced or the /z/ can assimilate to following sounds; practice with pauses or slower pace to maintain accuracy.
"The prices at the mall have risen since last year."
"Tourists complained about the high prices in the city center."
"We compared prices online before buying the laptop."
Pronounce as /ˈpraɪ.sɪz/. The first syllable carries primary stress. Start with a long /aɪ/ as in ‘price,’ then a short /ɪ/ for the second vowel, and finish with /zɪz/ in a voiced plural. Tip: keep the /z/ voiced and avoid a stopping or voiceless fricative at the end. Audio reference: Cambridge/Forvo entries mirror this sound. IPA helps you align the tongue blade toward the alveolar ridge for the /z/.
Two common mistakes are: (1) Pronouncing as /ˈpraɪ.sɪt/ by turning the final /z/ into a voiceless /t/ or /s/; ensure the final is a voiced /z/. (2) Slurring to /ˈpraɪsɪz/ with a reduced first syllable; maintain clear /aɪ/ in the first syllable and avoid reducing it. Practice by isolating the final cluster /zɪz/ and ensuring voicing is continuous through the end.
In US/UK/AU, the core is /ˈpraɪ.sɪz/. The main difference is in preceding consonant length and vowel quality in connected speech; rhoticity does not alter the word’s core. In faster speech, some speakers may link the /s/ and /ɪ/ blending, producing a lighter /sɪ/ transition. Australian speech can show slightly sharper vowel quality and quicker vowel reduction in casual speech, but the standard IPA remains the same.
The challenge lies in the transition from long vowel /aɪ/ to a short /ɪ/ followed by a voiced /z/. The tongue moves quickly from a high-front position to mid-front for the /ɪ/, while keeping the voicing through /z/. In rapid speech, the /ɪ/ can reduce or blend, and the final /z/ can voice lossen if the following word starts with a consonant, making it sound like /z/ or even elide slightly. Maintain full energy on the /z/ to avoid a devoiced ending.
Because the word ends with a /z/, ensure your tongue tip taps the alveolar ridge just behind the upper teeth for the /z/ and hold voice for the entire segment /zɪz/. A practical cue: say price, then slightly exaggerate the final /z/ with 20–30% more air to keep voicing steady, producing /ˈpraɪ.sɪz/ rather than a clipped /ˈpraɪ.sɪz/.
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- US: Rhoticity affects the overall vowel quality and vowel length in neighboring segments, but not the core pronunciation; keep the mid-front /ɪ/ and long /aɪ/ as in ‘price.’ - UK: Similar to US, but you may hear slightly crisper consonants and a marginally more clipped /ɪ/; maintain the /z/ voicing. - AU: Subtle vowel tightening in connected speech; keep /aɪ/ distinct, and the final /z/ with full voicing; avoid aggressive vowel reduction before /z/. - IPA references: /ˈpraɪ.sɪz/ for all three; focus on the alveolar /z/ realization and voicing in non-final positions.
Prices originates from Old French preciois ‘priceless’ (in the sense of a price, value) and from Latin pret(i)um ‘price, value’ with the root prae- meaning ‘price, value’. The Middle English term pris, from Old French prix, bore the sense of value or amount to be paid. Over time, the plural form prices emerged to discuss multiple price points or to reference prices in plural contexts (e.g., “the prices are high”). The semantic development parallels broader economic vocabulary where quantity, value, and cost are indexed by a plural noun when referring to various items or categories. First known use in English literature traces to late medieval commerce, with the word stabilizing into modern usage in early modern markets and print dictionaries, reflecting the everyday concern with monetary value and commercial transaction pricing.
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Words that rhyme with "prices"
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