3 syllables: Pro, mi, nence. Stress on Pro.
PRAH-muh-nuhns
/ˈpɹɑmənəns/
Prominence is pronounced PRAH-muh-nuhns (/ˈpɹɑmənəns/). It has three syllables (Pro-mi-nence), with the stress on "Pro". Prominence is the state of being noticeable or important; in language, it refers to the degree of emphasis given to a syllable or word to make it stand out in speech. It can also describe a leading or conspicuous position within a context, such as a prominent feature in a landscape. The term combines the sense of rising importance with perceptual salience in communication.
nounProminence is the state of being noticeable or important; in language, it refers to the degree of emphasis given to a syllable or word to make it stand out in speech. It can also describe a leading or conspicuous position within a context, such as a prominent feature in a landscape. The term combines the sense of rising importance with perceptual salience in communication.
"The speaker used bold typography to create visual prominence on the page."
"In the orchestra, the violin solo carried the prominence of the moment."
"Her prominent role in the project ensured she received most of the attention."
Pronounce as pro-MI-nce with primary stress on the second syllable. IPA US: ˈprɒ.mɪ.nəns or US: ˈproʊ.mɪ.nəns; standard is /ˈprɒmɪnəns/ in many dialects, but you’ll hear /ˈproʊ.mɪ.nəns/ in some American contexts. Mouth: start with a rounded or neutral /pr/ cluster, bite gently on /ɹ/ or avoid harsh /r/ depending on dialect, then syllable /mɪ/ with a short lax vowel, and finish with /nəns/. The main tip is stress on MI: the vowel in the second syllable should be clear and slightly longer than the others; avoid running the stress over the first syllable. IPA guides: US /ˈprɒ.mɪ.nəns/, UK /ˈprɒ.mɪ.nəns/ (or /ˈprɒmənəns/ in some pronunciations); AUS /ˈprɒmɪnəns/ with less rhoticity. Example: The prominence of her performance carried the scene. Audio reference: try listening to Pronounce or Forvo for native speaker pronunciation of 'prominence'.
Common errors include placing primary stress on the first syllable (pro-MI-nence is incorrect) and blending the second syllable’s vowel too short, making it sound like pros-muh-nence. Some learners also reduce the middle vowel too much, turning /ˈprɒ.mɪ.nəns/ into /ˈprɔmənəns/ or mispronouncing the final /nəns/ as /nɪns/. Correction: emphasize MI as a clearly voiced syllable, keep /ɪ/ in the second syllable distinct, and finish with a crisp /nəns/ or /nəns/ depending on dialect. Practice with minimal pairs, like PROM-inence vs pro-MIN-ence, to internalize the second-syllable emphasis.
US tends to have non-rhotic or rhotic variants depending on region; most speakers produce /ˈprɒ.mɪ.nəns/ with strong middle vowel; UK typically uses /ˈprɒ.mɪ.nəns/ with clear /ɒ/ and non-rhotic /r/ absence; Australian often aligns with /ˈprɒ.mɪ.nəns/ but with more clipped vowels and a lower /ɒ/ in stressed syllables. Across accents, the important feature is the second-syllable stress: MI is the nucleus, but the surrounding vowels shift: /ɒ/ in British/US variants, /ɪ/ in the second syllable remains relatively fixed. The final /ns/ remains clear in all dialects, though length and voicing can subtly vary.
Difficulties come from the two main phonetic challenges: the secondary consonant cluster at the start /pr/ with possible consonant blending, and the stressed second syllable /ˈmɪ/ where the vowel is short and tends to be reduced in fast speech. The shift from /ɒ/ to /ɪ/ in the first two vowels can trip learners up, as can maintaining accurate duration to keep the second syllable prominent. Focusing on the stressed syllable and practicing slow, clear enunciation before increasing speed helps overcome this.
In natural speech, prominence rarely places primary stress on the first syllable; it usually falls on the second syllable (MI). However, if the speaker is contrasting with another word, you might hear temporary prominence on the first syllable. For example, if contrasting with a less prominent feature, you could hear pro-MI-nence vs pro-MIN-ence as a contrast. The key is that the default, most natural form is on MI, with the final syllable less prominent.
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Prominence comes from Latin prominence, from the verb prominent- (leading, projecting), from prominere “to project, stand out,” itself from pro- “forward” + minere “to project.” The word entered English in the 17th century with senses related to projecting physical form and figurative importance. Early usage emphasized architectural or physical projection, later extending to social and rhetorical importance. Over time, prominence acquired specialized meanings in linguistics (stress and emphasis), theater (stage prominence), and geography (topographic prominence in relation to surrounding terrain). The evolution reflects a shift from tangible projection to perceptual priority in various contexts, culminating in a widely used term across disciplines to denote something that stands out or rises above its surroundings. First known use appears in printed English texts in the 1600s, with broader adoption in the 19th and 20th centuries as fields like linguistics and geography formalized the concept of prominence. Modern usage often focuses on perceptual emphasis in speech and writing, as well as notable visibility in media and culture.
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Words that rhyme with "Prominence"
-nce sounds
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