PREE-muh
/ˈpɹimə/
prima is pronounced PREE-muh (/ˈpɹimə/). Prima is a short, high-status term used to describe something exemplary or first-rate, often borrowed from Italian where it originally means 'first.' In English contexts it can function as a colloquial adjective or interjection indicating top quality, flair, or authority. The word carries a light, somewhat theatrical tone and is frequently used in social, artistic, or fashion-forward settings.
Prima is a short, high-status term used to describe something exemplary or first-rate, often borrowed from Italian where it originally means 'first.' In English contexts it can function as a colloquial adjective or interjection indicating top quality, flair, or authority. The word carries a light, somewhat theatrical tone and is frequently used in social, artistic, or fashion-forward settings.
- Incorrect syllable stress: emphasize second syllable (pri-MA) or flatten both syllables; correction: keep primary stress on the first syllable (PRI-ma). - Over-articulating the second vowel: pronouncing the second syllable as /i/ or /iː/; correction: reduce to a quick schwa /ə/ and keep the syllable short. - Extra vowel length: avoid prolonging the final vowel; correction: shorten the second syllable to a light schwa and pause minimally before the word in isolation. - Non-native lip/tongue position: avoid tensing lips; correction: relax jaw, keep lips loose, and use a relaxed tongue with the tip near the alveolar ridge.
"- The prima performance left the audience spellbound."
"- She wore a prima impression of confidence at the gala."
"- That chef’s prima dish was a standout on the tasting menu."
Pronounce as PRI-ma, with the stress on the first syllable. IPA: US/UK/AU ˈprɪmə. Start with a short /ɪ/ in the first syllable and a schwa /ə/ in the second. Keep the lips relaxed and finish with a light, quick schwa-ending. Audio reference: you can compare with 'prima' in everyday Italian pronunciations, but English uses the light middle vowel and a subtle ending.
Common mistakes include over-sounding the second syllable by making /mə/ sound like a full /muh/ vowel, and misplacing the stress as second syllable (pri-MA). Another error is converting /ɪ/ to a lax vowel or using /pɹɪˈmə/ with an intrusive /r/ in non-rhotic speakers. Correction: keep the first syllable tense with /ɪ/ then reduce the second to a weak /mə/ with a crisp, quick ending. Practice with 2-3 repetition drills.
In US/UK/AU, the primary feature is the vowel in the first syllable: /ˈprɪmə/ with a short lax /ɪ/. Rhoticity affects the trailing consonant in connected speech but not the word itself. The second syllable uses a schwa /ə/ in all three, but the vowel quality of /ɪ/ can vary slightly by accent. Australians tend to be slightly more clipped on the second syllable; Americans often have a sharper, quicker final /ə/.
Because it requires quick vowel reduction and a light, unstressed ending. The /ɪ/ in the first syllable is short and tense, while the second syllable uses a lax /ə/ that’s easy to over-articulate. Non-native speakers often overemphasize the second syllable or export extra vowel length. Focus on a crisp first syllable and a rapid, barely audible second syllable.
No: in English, the final /ə/ is typically pronounced as a reduced vowel, not silent. In connected speech you may hear a very subtle, almost inaudible /ə/ at the end depending on pace, but the vowel remains present. The pronunciation remains ˈprɪmə, with stress on the first syllable.
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- US: /ˈprɪmə/ with a crisp first vowel /ɪ/ and a quick /mə/; keep rhoticity minimal in this word—it doesn’t affect the vowel. - UK: similar to US, but you may hear a slightly shorter /ɪ/ and quicker /ə/. - AU: tendency toward clipped vowels, with a slightly more centralized vowel in /ə/; keep the /ə/ light. - All: maintain non-rhotic or weak rhotics in the second syllable; practice with IPA references /ˈprɪmə/.
Prima derives from Italian, where prima is the feminine form of primo, meaning 'first' or 'primary.' Italian primo itself comes from Latin primus, meaning 'first' or 'earliest.' The word entered English via contact with Italian culture, especially in arts and music where prima donna and prima facie phrases appear. Historically, prima evolved from simple descriptors of rank to a more idiomatic sense of exceptional quality. The first attested uses in English appear in the 19th and early 20th centuries within performance and social discourse, often carried with a hint of flamboyance. Over time, prima broadened beyond strictly first in order to convey top-tier status, rather than numerical primacy alone, and sometimes adopted a playful, cosmopolitan nuance in modern usage.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "prima" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "prima" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "prima" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "prima"
-ama sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
🎵 Rhyme tip: Practicing with rhyming words helps you master similar sound patterns and improves your overall pronunciation accuracy.
