2 syllables: Pro, vince. Stress on Pro.
PRAH-vuhns
/ˈpɹɑvəns/
Province is pronounced PRAH-vuhns (/ˈpɹɑvəns/). It has two syllables (Pro-vince), with the stress on "Pro". Province (n.) A clearly defined area within a country or region, often with its own local government or distinct cultural identity. It can also indicate a territorial division within an organization or field of study. The term conveys a sense of boundary, governance, and geographic scope, typically contrasted with a nation or center.
nounProvince (n.) A clearly defined area within a country or region, often with its own local government or distinct cultural identity. It can also indicate a territorial division within an organization or field of study. The term conveys a sense of boundary, governance, and geographic scope, typically contrasted with a nation or center.
"The province of Quebec has a distinct French-speaking culture."
"Her research explores the social dynamics of rural provinces in China."
"A change in provincial policy affected funding for the arts."
US: /ˈprɑː.vɪns/ (or /ˈprɑː.vɪns/ with a long a in stressed first syllable). UK: /ˈɒv.ɪns/ or /ˈprɒv.ɪns/ depending on regional influence; most speakers retain the /prɒ/ initial. AU: /ˈprɒː.vɪns/ with a rounded, broad /ɒ/. Focus on a strong initial /p r/ cluster, a long or open /ɑː/ or /ɒ/ in the first syllable, a short /ɪ/ in the second, and final /ns/. Tip: keep the /v/ consonant clear and avoid vocalic diphthongs in the second syllable. Audio reference: you can compare with Cambridge Online Dictionary or Forvo entries for /ˈprɒ.vɪns/ (UK) and /ˈprɑː.vɪns/ (US).
Common errors include pronouncing the first syllable with a pure “pro” /pro/ like ‘pro-’ in professional, leading to /ˈproʊ.vɪns/; or slurring the second syllable into /-vince/ as in ‘finance.’ Correction: pronounce the first syllable with a clear /prɑː/ (US) or /prɒ/ (UK/AU) and keep the /vɪns/ as a short, clipped second syllable. Ensure final /ns/ is pronounced, not an /z/ or /s/ alone. Practice minimal pairs: /prɑː.vɪns/ vs /prəˈvaɪns/ can highlight the stressed first syllable and the short /ɪ/ in the second.”,
US: strong initial /ˈprɑː.vɪns/ with broad /ɑː/ and a sharp /vɪns/. UK: /ˈprɒ.vɪns/ or /ˈɒv.ɪns/ depending on region; often less vowel length in the second syllable and a shorter first vowel. AU: /ˈprɒː.vɪns/ with Australian vowel broadening, similar to UK but with more centralized vowels in some speakers. Across all, keep the final /ns/ crisp; non-rhotic accents may reduce linking, making /vɪns/ feel more clipped. IPA references: US /ˈprɑː.vɪns/, UK /ˈprɒ.vɪns/, AU /ˈprɒː.vɪns/.
The difficulty lies in balancing the stressed first syllable with the short, unstressed second syllable and the final /ns/ cluster. Learners often mishandle the /ɑː/ or /ɒ/ vowel length, or insert an extra vowel in the second syllable, turning /ˈprɑː.vɪns/ into /ˈprə.ˈviːns/. Keeping the /v/ distinct and avoiding a trailing schwa in the second syllable helps. Pay attention to mouth position: start with a rounded lips for /p/ and /r/ blend, then relax into a light, quick /ɪ/ before /ns/.
Province often prompts questions about the all-important /ɪ/ in the second syllable; some speakers produce /prəˈvɪns/ with a reduced first syllable, especially in casual speech, which can sound like /prəˈvɪns/ rather than the fully stressed /ˈprɑː.vɪns/. The unique emphasis is on the first syllable; ensure you’re not conflating with /ˈproʊ.vɪns/ or /ˈprə.vɪns/. For accuracy, practice with a source like Cambridge or Forvo to confirm the preferred vowel quality for your target accent.
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- US: emphasize broad /ɑː/ in the first syllable, crisp /vɪns/; lip rounding is moderate, tongue tip to alveolar ridge for /n/. - UK: shorter first vowel; often non-rhotic, but the /r/ is not pronounced unless followed by a vowel; keep the /v/ clear and the /n/ quick. - AU: broader vowels; often /ɒ/ or /ɔː/ in first syllable with a light /ɪ/; final /ns/ remains crisp. - IPA cues: US /ˈprɑː.vɪns/, UK /ˈprɒ.vɪns/, AU /ˈprɒː.vɪns/. - Practical tips: record yourself, compare with native samples, adjust vowel length to match the accent target, and practice with fillers to maintain natural rhythm.
Province comes from the Old French province, borrowed from Latin provincia, which originally meant ‘a legal or administrative district, a territorial division, or domain.’ The Latin provincia derives from provincia ‘a public business, administration, or office,’ itself from provīn- ‘forward, forth’ plus the suffix -ia. In classical Latin, provincia referred to a jurisdiction under a governor or the outward spread of a state’s governance, not simply a geographical region. Medieval and early modern Europe retained the term to denote administrative divisions within kingdoms, duchies, and bishoprics, gradually expanding to modern political-administrative units. In English, province historically carried connotations of governance and jurisdiction rather than mere geography; over time, it broadened to include subdivisions, colonies, or areas under a larger sovereign domain. In contemporary usage, province commonly means a territorial subdivision within a country, a region with some administrative autonomy, or a domain of expertise (e.g., a province of science). First known use in English appears in the 13th century, aligning with Old French and Latin roots, and has since persisted with meaning shifts reflecting changing political structures and governance concepts.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Province" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "Province"
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