5 syllables: Re, mi, nis, cen, ces. Stress on nis.
rem-uh-NIS-uhn-siz
/ˌɹɛməˈnɪsənsɪz/
Reminiscences is pronounced rem-uh-NIS-uhn-siz (/ˌɹɛməˈnɪsənsɪz/). It has five syllables (Re-mi-nis-cen-ces), with the stress on "nis". Reminiscences are memories or thoughts about past experiences, often expressed with sentiment or nostalgia. They refer to the act or process of recalling past events, usually told in a reflective or anecdotal way. The term typically appears in formal or literary contexts when discussing recollections across time.
nounReminiscences are memories or thoughts about past experiences, often expressed with sentiment or nostalgia. They refer to the act or process of recalling past events, usually told in a reflective or anecdotal way. The term typically appears in formal or literary contexts when discussing recollections across time.
How to Pronounce Reminiscences
"She shared a few reminiscences from her childhood at the family gathering."
"The memoir is filled with reminiscences of the author's college days."
"During the interview, he offered reminiscences of the early days of the startup."
Stress falls on the third syllable: re-mi-NIS-sen-ces. In IPA US: ˌremɪnɪˈsɛs(ə)nz. Break it into re-mi-nis-sences, ensuring the -sc- yields a /s/ sound and the final -ces is /ɪz/ or /z/ depending on context. You can listen to native speakers via Pronounce and major dictionaries for audio examples.
Common errors include misplacing stress (shifting to the second or first syllable), confusing the -m- and -n- sequence leading to a blurred middle, and softening the final -ces too much so it sounds like -sis instead of -sən(ses). Correct by emphasizing the -NIS- syllable, keeping the /s/ before -ces crisp, and finishing with an audible /z/ or /əz/ depending on surrounding sounds.
US typically places primary stress on the third syllable with a clear /ˈsɛs/ and a rhotic influence on the preceding vowels. UK tends to a slightly tighter /ˈsɛsɪz/ with less vowel length variation and non-rhoticity affecting nearby vowels. Australian generally mirrors US but with subtler vowel qualities, often with a slightly broader diphthong in the first vowels. Always listen to regional speakers for precise vowel quality.
The difficulty lies in the multi-syllabic rhythm and the consonant cluster around -nis-ses, plus the final -ences which can sound like -es or -zens depending on the speaker. The internal vowel quality in -mi- and -nis- requires careful mouth shaping to avoid blending into ‘reminisce’ or ‘remember.’ Practice segmenting as re-mi-NIS-sen-ces and use slow practice with audio models.
Reminiscences carries a formal, literary tone; you’ll often encounter it in memoirs and essays. The challenge is maintaining a steady, reflective cadence while delivering the long third syllable with a crisp /s/ before the final -ces. Focus on the contrast between the stressed syllable and the trailing unstressed syllables to preserve natural rhythm in connected speech.
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Reminiscence originates from the French reminiscence, ultimately from Latin reminiscere, meaning to recall or remember. The root reminiscere is composed of re- (again) and meminiscor (to remember). In English, reminiscence appeared in the late 16th to 17th centuries, initially in literary and philosophical discourse to denote the act of recalling past experiences with sentiment. Over time, it broadened from personal memory to any reflective memory or anecdotal narrative. The plural reminiscences emerged to reference multiple acts or sets of memories, often used in more formal or extended discourse. In modern usage, reminiscences can function as noun or, less commonly, as a gerundive form in expressions like “reminiscences of childhood” or “reminiscences about wartime days.” The evolution reflects a shift from a general cognitive act to a more narrative, evocative recounting that emphasizes mood and sentiment rather than mere recall. First known use is documented in early modern English literature, with the sense solidifying around the 17th to 18th centuries as writers explored memory and recollection as thematic material in essays, memoirs, and letters.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Reminiscences" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "Reminiscences"
-nse sounds
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