3 syllables: Ques, tion, naire. Stress on naire.
kwes-chuh-NER
/ˌkwɛstʃəˈnɛɹ/
Questionnaire is pronounced kwes-chuh-NER (/ˌkwɛstʃəˈnɛɹ/). It has three syllables (Ques-tion-naire), with the stress on "naire". Questionnaire is a noun referring to a set of questions designed to collect information from respondents. It often appears in research, surveys, or assessments and can range from simple forms to complex, structured instruments. The term emphasizes standardized items that elicit comparable data across participants, typically distributed in writing or digitally.
nounQuestionnaire is a noun referring to a set of questions designed to collect information from respondents. It often appears in research, surveys, or assessments and can range from simple forms to complex, structured instruments. The term emphasizes standardized items that elicit comparable data across participants, typically distributed in writing or digitally.
"We distributed a questionnaire to gather feedback on the new product."
"The market research team analyzed the questionnaire responses to identify trends."
"Participants completed the questionnaire before the interview began."
Pronunciation: /ˌkwes.tʃəˈneər/ (US) or /ˌkwes.tʃəˈneə/ (UK/AU). The word has three to four syllables: ques-ti-on-naire with primary stress on the fourth syllable: neær. Start with /kw/ blending to /ˈkwes/; the /tʃ/ is a single sound after /s/; the second syllable reduces to a schwa /ə/; the final syllable carries the main stress and ends with /neər/ or /neə/. Think “KWES-uh-NEER.” Audio reference: you can compare standard pronunciations on Pronounce or Cambridge audio samples. Keywords: stress on -neer, three main segments, /tʃ/ as a single blend.
Common errors: 1) Slurring the /tʃ/ into /t/ or /dʒ/, making it sound like 'ques-tion-naire' instead of the clear /tʃə/. Correction: articulate the /tʃ/ as a single palatal affricate with a brief release. 2) Misplacing stress, saying 'QUEs-ti-ON-naire' or spreading stress evenly; correction: place primary stress on the /ˈneər/ syllable. 3) Over-pronouncing the -aire as /ˈeər/; correction: keep the final /neər/ clear but not overly elongated. Practice: say /ˌkwes.tʃəˈneər/ slowly, then speed up while maintaining the /tʃ/ release and final /ər/ or /ə/.
In US English, you’ll hear /ˌkwes.tʃəˈnɛər/ with a rhotic final /r/ in many speakers, and the final vowel may be reduced to schwa in rapid speech. UK and AU accents often use /ˌkwes.tʃəˈneə/ with non-rhotic endings; some Australian speakers may have a more open vowel in the final syllable. The /tʃ/ remains consistent, while the second syllable reduces to a schwa across regions. Overall, the primary stress stays on the final syllable -neer/-neə. I.e., KWES-tʃə-NEER (US), KWES-tʃə-NEE-uh(r) (some AU/UK).
The difficulty comes from the three-syllable structure with a palatal affricate /tʃ/ immediately after /s/, plus a light, unstressed middle syllable /ə/. The final syllable carries strong stress and a tricky /neər/ vowel quality that can shift between /nɛər/ and /neə/. People often misplace stress or blur the /tʃ/ blend. Focus on clear /tʃ/ articulation, a distinct schwa in the middle, and the final diphthongal vowel to nail the rhythm.
Unique tip: anchor the word with a deliberate /tʃ/ release immediately after /s/, shaping the glide into the stressed final syllable. Practice the word in a slow, deliberate cadence: /ˌkwes.tʃəˈneər/. Use a mouth position where the tongue blade rises to create /tʃ/ while the lips round slightly for the final /neər/. Rehearse with minimal pairs like 'question' vs 'questionnaire' to hear the extra syllable. Audio practice helps you feel the stress peak on -neər.
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Questionnaire derives from the French word questionnaire, formed from questions (the plural form of question) combined with the diminutive suffix -aire, echoing the ending in words like dairies and library terms. The earliest English use appears in the 18th or 19th century as scholars and bureaucrats imported French administrative jargon. The sense shift toward a formal list of questions used in surveys and censuses developed as standardized data collection became common in scientific research and public administration. Over time, questionnaire has maintained a stable meaning: a structured set of items intended to elicit consistent responses across a population. The word’s phonology reflects French influence, with the initial “ques-” cluster and a soft “que” vowel that leads into the secondary stress on “tion-.” Modern usage keeps a clear distinction from related terms like survey or poll, emphasizing systematic item formats rather than conversational interviewing. First known use in print aligns with the period of expanding social science research and formalized data collection methods, where consistent instrumentation was critical for cross-study comparability.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Questionnaire" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Questionnaire" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Questionnaire"
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