2 syllables: Pri, mates. Stress on Pri.
PREYE-mayts
/ˈpɹaɪˌmeɪts/
Primates is pronounced PREYE-mayts (/ˈpɹaɪˌmeɪts/). It has two syllables (Pri-mates), with the stress on "Pri". Primates is a plural noun referring to members of the mammalian order Primates, including humans, apes, monkeys, and prosimians. In biology, it denotes a clade characterized by features such as forward-facing eyes, large brains, and social, adaptable behavior. The term is also used more broadly in anthropology and primatology to describe this evolutionary group.
nounPrimates is a plural noun referring to members of the mammalian order Primates, including humans, apes, monkeys, and prosimians. In biology, it denotes a clade characterized by features such as forward-facing eyes, large brains, and social, adaptable behavior. The term is also used more broadly in anthropology and primatology to describe this evolutionary group.
"The primates at the reserve were observed using complex social hierarchies."
"Researchers compared the primates’ vocalizations to understand communication patterns."
"A new study linked tool use in primates to regions of the frontal cortex."
Pronounce as PRI-mates with primary stress on the first syllable. IPA: US /ˈpraɪˌmeɪts/; UK /ˈpraɪˌmeɪts/; AU same /ˈpraɪˌmeɪts/. The first syllable sounds like 'pry' (as in prize), the second syllable sounds like 'mates' (rhymes with 'dates'). Ensure a clear /ˈpraɪ/ onset, a light linking to /ˌmeɪts/.
Common mistakes: 1) Dropping the /r/ or softening /r/ in US/UK variants; 2) Misplacing stress, saying pri-MATES instead of PRI-mates; 3) Vocalizing the /aɪ/ as a long /iː/ sound in some accents. Correction: keep the /aɪ/ diphthong in the first syllable with a crisp /praɪ/ and place main stress on /praɪ/. Practice by saying 'pry-mates' with a slight pause after the first syllable and then blend into 'mates'.
US/UK/AU share the /ˈpraɪˌmeɪts/ pattern, but Rhoticity can affect vowel quality; US may have a slightly darker /ɪ/ in the second syllable and clearer rhotic influence in connected speech, while UK RP tends to be non-rhotic with a tighter /ˈpraɪˌmeɪts/ and AU can show vowel raising in some speakers. Overall, the main stress pattern remains the same across accents.
Difficulties center on the diphthong in /ˈpraɪ/ and the final /eɪts/ consonant cluster /meɪts/ that can blur into /meɪts/. The word also requires clear syllable separation in careful speech: PRI-mates. Additionally, some speakers fear misplacing stress or blending syllables in rapid speech, which can disrupt the intended rhythm.
A unique feature is the clear separation between the first syllable and the final plural ending. You should hold the /ˌ/ as you transition from /praɪ/ to /meɪts/ to prevent vowel merging. The final /ts/ is typically a crisp voiceless alveolar affricate; avoid turning it into /t/ or /s/ alone.
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Primates originates from the Latin primus meaning ‘first’ and the suffix -ates, used in scientific naming to form an order or class. The term entered English usage in the 18th century as naturalists categorized mammals sharing key traits—grasping hands, forward-facing eyes, and advanced nervous systems—into a cohesive group. The concept evolved alongside Darwinian biology, refining the grouping to include all members of the order Primates (lemurs, tarsiers, monkeys, apes, humans). Early usage emphasized morphological criteria (e.g., five-finger hand, stereoscopic vision), while later discussions incorporated phylogenetic relationships derived from fossil records and genetic data. By the 19th and 20th centuries, primatology solidified the term’s scope, distinguishing Primates as an order within Mammalia and shaping debates about human evolution and cognitive abilities. First known usage in English appears in natural history texts referencing classifiable mammalian groups, with the name gradually standardizing across scientific literature and curricula worldwide.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Primates" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Primates" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Primates"
-tes sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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