2 syllables: Rab, bit. Stress on Rab.
RAB-uht
/ˈɹæbət/
Rabbit is pronounced RAB-uht (/ˈɹæbət/). It has two syllables (Rab-bit), with the stress on "Rab". Rabbit is a small mammal with long ears and strong hind legs, commonly kept as a pet or found in the wild. The word can also describe the animal’s fur pattern or behavior, and, in phraseology, appears in expressions like “go down the rabbit hole.” As a noun, it denotes the creature; as a verb phrase, it can be used metaphorically in contexts like rapid, erratic movement.
nounRabbit is a small mammal with long ears and strong hind legs, commonly kept as a pet or found in the wild. The word can also describe the animal’s fur pattern or behavior, and, in phraseology, appears in expressions like “go down the rabbit hole.” As a noun, it denotes the creature; as a verb phrase, it can be used metaphorically in contexts like rapid, erratic movement.
How to Pronounce Rabbit
"The rabbit hopped across the garden, its ears quivering in the sunlight."
"We saw a white rabbit near the hedges during our afternoon walk."
"She bought a plush rabbit for her niece and a small carrot as a gift."
Pronounce it as /ˈræbɪt/. The first syllable is stressed: RAB-, with a short, lax [æ] as in “cat.” The second syllable is unstressed: -bit, with a short [ɪ] sound and a quick, light t. When speaking quickly, the t can become a flapped or unreleased stop in some accents, but for clear pronunciation, end with a crisp [t]. Audio references: you can compare to /ˈræbɪt/ on Pronounce or Cambridge dictionaries.
Two common errors are pronouncing the first vowel as /ɑ/ (as in 'father') and lengthening the second syllable. Correct by using a short /æ/ in the first syllable and a short, lax /ɪ/ in the second: /ˈræbɪt/. Also avoid voicing the final /t/ too strongly; keep it as a light, aspirated stop or a quick, unreleased tap depending on pace.
In US/UK/AU, the core /ˈræbɪt/ remains, but the final /t/ can vary: US speakers may have a clearer, aspirated /t/ or a unreleased tap in rapid speech; UK and AU speakers often have a glottal or softer release in casual speech. Vowel quality is similar, but duration and intonation patterns differ with rhythm and stress. Overall, the rhotic element is not modifying the word itself, but neighboring sounds influence the overall syllable timing.
The difficulty lies in the rapid transition from a front, lax vowel /æ/ to a short /ɪ/ in unstressed position, and the final alveolar /t/ light release. Some speakers lengthen the /æ/ or mispronounce the /t/ as a d-sound, especially in connected speech. Focus on keeping a crisp, short /æ/ in the first syllable and a quick, clean /ɪ/ before the final /t/.
Yes. In connected speech, fast transitions can make the /æ/ slightly closer to a schwa [ə] or a lax [ɪ] when the following consonant cluster is held longer, such as before an extra word: “a rabbit in the garden.” To maintain clarity, keep the /æ/ bright and short, then move to the /ɪ/ quickly before the /t/. Practicing with phrases helps stabilize this shift.
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The English word rabbit traces back to Old French and Latin roots. The term likely derives from the Old French word “rabiot” or “rabit,” used in some dialects to denote a rabbit, though the exact lineage is murky. In Middle English, “rabbit” emerged as a distinct animal name during the 14th–15th centuries, while “coney” persisted as another term for the same animal. The root may be connected to Proto-Germanic languages via Old High German and Dutch, where similar words described the hare family, though several competing etymologies circulated in medieval bestiaries. By the Early Modern English period, “rabbit” became the common common noun in most dialects, while “hare” continued to denote a larger, faster cousin. The 19th and 20th centuries saw a shift toward “rabbit” for both animals and domestic pet contexts, accelerated by literature and education’s standardization of vocabulary. First known print attestations appear in English travelers’ accounts and herbals describing garden pests, with the term soon appearing in children’s literature as the familiar cuddly animal we know today.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Rabbit" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Rabbit" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Rabbit"
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