REE-zuhnz
/ˈɹizənz/
reasons is pronounced REE-zuhnz (/ˈɹizənz/). Reasons is a plural noun meaning causes or justifications for something. It denotes the rationale or grounds behind a belief, decision, or action. In everyday speech, the word functions as a key noun for listing or evaluating motives, often appearing in questions like “What are your reasons?” and in discussions that require justification.
Reasons is a plural noun meaning causes or justifications for something. It denotes the rationale or grounds behind a belief, decision, or action. In everyday speech, the word functions as a key noun for listing or evaluating motives, often appearing in questions like “What are your reasons?” and in discussions that require justification.
"I listed several reasons why I chose the new plan."
"Her reasons for leaving were unclear to most of us."
"We need to understand your reasons before we proceed."
Pronounce as two syllables: /ˈriː.zənz/. The first syllable contains a long E as in 'reed,' the second is a schwa with a voiced z-nucleus, ending with a voiced z sound. Stress is on the first syllable. For reference, imagine saying 'REe-zənz' with a short, relaxed final -z. In careful speech, enunciate the final -s as a voiced /z/ before vowels or sonorants; in fast connected speech you may hear a devoiced or softened final /z/.
Common errors include turning the second syllable into a full vowel like /ɪ/ or /ɒ/, producing /ˈriːzənz/ or /ˈriːsənz/; or over-reducing the second syllable to a schwa with an unreleased final consonant. Correction: keep the /z/ ending and pronounce /ˈriː/ clearly, then a quick /zənz/ sequence with relaxed jaw. Ensure the middle is a short /ə/ or /ən/ rather than a strong /ɪ/ or /æ/ to preserve the natural rhythm.
In US/UK/AU, the initial vowel remains a long /iː/ or close-front /iː/. The rhotic influence differs: US tends to retain a rhotic /ɹ/ in connected speech, influencing preceding vowels slightly; UK often has a non-rhotic flavor with a more centralized /ə/ in the second syllable; AU tends toward a centralized, slightly broader /ə/ in the second syllable. Overall, the steady stress on the first syllable remains. Final /z/ is common in all, with potential voicing differences in rapid speech.
The difficulty lies in maintaining a clear, tense long /iː/ without dragging into /i/ or /ɪ/ and then transitioning quickly to a relaxed /ə/ in the second syllable while preserving the final /z/ as a distinct voiced consonant. Rapid speech can compress /ˈriː.zənz/ to /ˈriː.zənz/ with less audibility on the schwa. Practicing the two-stress pattern and sequencing the consonant cluster helps overcome slurring and keeps the rhythm even.
A unique point is the subtle vowel shift in connected speech: the /ə/ of the second syllable often reduces toward a near-schwa or [ə̞], especially before /n/ or /z/ blends. This can cause the word to sound like /ˈriː.zənz/ with a weaker middle vowel in fast speech. Practice by isolating: /ˈriː/ + /zən/ + /z/ and then blend with a light, quick /ə/ in the middle while keeping the final /z/ audible.
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Reasons comes from Old French resons, later resons, from Latin ratio ‘a calculation, reasoning’ which itself derives from esse ‘to be’ via ratio ‘reckoning, reason’. The English form emerged in Middle English as a noun meaning ‘a consideration or argument offered in favor of or against something’. Over time, the sense broadened to include the reasons or grounds for opinions, actions, or beliefs. The word has kept a stable link to logic and justification, with the plural form reasons used to reference multiple grounds. First known uses appear in medieval texts where authors discussed reasons in the context of moral, logical, or practical justification, gradually becoming common in legal and rhetorical prose. In modern usage, reasons is a staple term across academic, professional, and casual discourse, frequently appearing in phrases like “your reasons,” “for the reasons that,” and “reasons to…”
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Words that rhyme with "reasons"
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