2 syllables: Pro, mise. Stress on Pro.
PRAH-muhs
/ˈpɹɑməs/
Promise is pronounced PRAH-muhs (/ˈpɹɑməs/). It has two syllables (Pro-mise), with the stress on "Pro". As a noun, a noun meaning a commitment by someone to do or refrain from doing something, often formalized or pledged. It can also refer to a reason for hope or expectation. In everyday speech it may function as a pledge, guarantee, or assurance given or implied in conversation or contract.
nounA noun meaning a commitment by someone to do or refrain from doing something, often formalized or pledged. It can also refer to a reason for hope or expectation. In everyday speech it may function as a pledge, guarantee, or assurance given or implied in conversation or contract.
"He gave me his promise to arrive by noon."
"The government kept its election promises."
"She kept her promise and called me back."
Pronounce as PRÅ-miss, with primary stress on the first syllable. In US and UK: /ˈprɒm.ɪs/ or /ˈprɑː.mɪs/ depending on speaker. The second syllable has a short, lax vowel; end with an /s/ as in 'kiss'. Tip: keep the tongue high for /ɒ/ or /ɑː/ on the first vowel, lips lightly rounded, and finish with a crisp /s/. Audio reference: consult standard dictionaries for US/UK entries.
Common errors include misplacing stress (stressing the second syllable), pronouncing the second vowel as a full /iː/ rather than a lax /ɪ/ or schwa, and softening the final /s/ into a /z/. To correct: keep primary stress on first syllable, use a short /ɪ/ in the second syllable, and end with /s/ rather than voiced /z/ in careful speech.
US tends toward /ˈprɑː.mɪs/ with rhotic /r/ and a broad /ɒ/ or /ɑː/ in the first vowel depending on region; UK often uses /ˈprɒm.ɪs/ with a shorter /ɒ/ and non-rhotic /r/ ; Australian tends to /ˈprɒm.ɪs/ with a flatter intonation and non-rhoticity; across all, the second syllable contains a short /ɪ/ or schwa and ends with /s/.
The challenge lies in the short, lax second vowel and the crisp final /s/ after a closed /m/. Learners often re-tune the second vowel to /iː/ or drop the /s/, making it sound like 'premiss'. Focus on the brisk, clipped /ɪ/ in the second syllable and keep the /s/ voiceless. Slightly reduce the vowel length in rapid speech to maintain natural rhythm.
There are no silent letters in 'promise'; the pattern is a stressed-unstressed sequence: strong stress on the first syllable (PROM-iss). The second syllable is unstressed and reduces, especially in connected speech, often sounding like PRə-miss. Practicing with minimal pairs helps you lock the stress and avoid inserting extra vowels.
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Promise comes from Old French promesse, from promiser (to promise) from Latin promissum, which is the past participle of promissum est (to send forth in advance, to undertake). The Latinate root promiss- stems from pro- (forward) + mittere (to send). In Middle English, promyse spelled the same, signifying a declaration of intention or guarantee. Over time, it broadened from a formal pledge in feudal and legal contexts to everyday assurances and commitments. By the 14th–16th centuries, the term could denote both a contractually binding promise and a personal pledge. Its semantic evolution includes shifts from public oath and vow toward more casual assurances, while still retaining legal overtones in many domains (contracts, warranties). The pronunciation settled into the modern form /ˈprɒm.ɪs/ (British) and /ˈprɑː.mɪs/ (American) with a secondary-syllable vowel that reduces in casual speech. The word is often used in phrases like “make a promise” or “keep a promise,” illustrating its enduring link to obligation and trust.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Promise" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Promise" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Promise"
-ise sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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