2 syllables: Re, cede. Stress on cede.
ris-EED
/ɹɪˈsid/
Recede is pronounced ris-EED (/ɹɪˈsid/). It has two syllables (Re-cede), with the stress on "cede". Recede is a verb meaning to move back or away from a previous position or level, often gradually or after reaching a peak. It can describe physical retreat, the diminishing of a quality, or the retreat of tides and applicable phenomena. The term often implies a backward shift over time or distance and is used in both literal and metaphorical contexts.
verbRecede is a verb meaning to move back or away from a previous position or level, often gradually or after reaching a peak. It can describe physical retreat, the diminishing of a quality, or the retreat of tides and applicable phenomena. The term often implies a backward shift over time or distance and is used in both literal and metaphorical contexts.
- You’ll often hear learners place primary stress on the first syllable (RE-ce-de) or flatten the second syllable into a quick /siːd/. Correct by emphasizing the second syllable: ri-SEEDE. - The /ɪ/ in the first syllable can reduce to a schwa in fast speech; keep it as a short, lax /ɪ/ before the stressed /siːd/. - The final /d/ can be devoiced in rapid speech, sounding like /t/. Practice with a crisp /d/ to avoid a clipped ending.
"The tide will recede as the storm passes."
"Her hairline began to recede after years of brushing, revealing more scalp."
"Prices may recede after the market correction."
Pronounce as /rɪˈsiːd/. The primary stress is on the second syllable: ri-SEEDE. Start with a short, relaxed 'ri' sound, then a long 'see' vowel /iː/, and finish with a clear /d/. The initial consonant cluster is simple /r/ followed by a light /ɪ/ before the stressed /siːd/. Audio reference: you can compare with 'proceed' /prəˈsiːd/ for the similarity in second-syllable stress pattern.
Common errors: 1) Misplacing the stress on the first syllable (re-SEEDE rather than ri-SEEDE). 2) Shortening the second syllable to /siːd/ with a clipped final /d/ or mispronouncing as /rɪˈsiːt/. 3) Adding an extra vowel before /d/ or enunciating as /rɪˈsiːd/ with an extra /ə/ sound. Correction: maintain primary stress on the second syllable, elongate the /iː/ to a true long vowel, and finish with a crisp /d/. Practice: /rɪˈsiːd/ with a clean stop at the end.
In US/UK/AU accents, the pronunciation is largely /rɪˈsiːd/. The main variation lies in rhoticity and vowel quality; non-rhotic UK accents may reduce the 'r' in post-vocalic positions, but with careful enunciation in careful speech, many speakers retain a clearer /r/. Australian variants are generally more rhotic than some British varieties, but the /iː/ vowel remains a long vowel. Overall, the core /rɪ/ and /siːd/ segments stay consistent; the only notable differences are the surrounding vowel lengths and linking.
The challenge centers on the long /iː/ in the stressed second syllable and the final /d/ after a voiced context, which can feel softly voiced or muffled in rapid speech. Beginners may misplace stress or reduce /ɪ/ to /i/. The mouth position requires a tense mid-to-high front vowel for /iː/, a crisp alveolar stop /d/, and a resonant /r/ at the start. Slow-practice with controlled mouth movement helps stabilize the sequence.
The unique query centers on stress placement and the long /iː/ that defines the second syllable: 're-Ceed' or 'ri-CEED' depending on transcription, but standard US/UK uses /rɪˈsiːd/. This reflects both the 're-' prefix and the root -cede with a shift of emphasis to the verb stem. Understanding that the emphasis is on /siːd/ with a preceding reduced /rɪ/ helps craft SEO-friendly content and accurate, targeted pronunciation notes.
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- US: rhotic, clear /ɹ/ with a strong /r/; maintain the /ɪ/ before the stressed /siːd/. - UK: more cautious /r/ in non-rhotic environments; ensure /r/ is pronounced when preceding a vowel or in careful speech to avoid a diphthong pool. - AU: generally rhotic, but vowel quality is broad; keep the /iː/ long and crisp final /d/. IPA guides show /rɪˈsiːd/ in all three varieties, with minimal variation in the central nucleus vowel and consonant timing.
Recede comes from the Latin recedere, meaning 'to move back, withdraw.' The Latin prefix re- conveys backwards, and cēdere means 'to go, yield, or go away.' The word entered English through Old French recéder before stabilizing in Middle English. Its sense broadened from a physical retreat to include the idea of diminishing or fading away in various domains (tides, prices, feelings). The phonological form preserved the root cede with a soft c as in 'cede,' contrasting with 'secede' though related historically via Latin recedere. First known use in English dates to the early 15th century, in contexts of retreat or backward movement, later expanding into figurative uses such as receding hairlines or receding prices in economic discourse. Over time, the word has retained its core sense of backward movement while adapting to modern uses in science, finance, and everyday speech.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Recede" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Recede" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Recede"
-eed sounds
-ede sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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