3 syllables: Ro, ta, ry. Stress on Ro.
ROH-tur-ee
/ˈɹoʊtɚi/
Rotary is pronounced ROH-tur-ee (/ˈɹoʊtɚi/). It has three syllables (Ro-ta-ry), with the stress on "Ro". Rotary is an adjective describing something relating to or characterized by rotation or circular motion. It often refers to mechanisms or systems designed to rotate, such as rotary engines or rotary dial telephones, implying a functioning that involves spinning or turning parts. The term can also describe a recurring, cyclical pattern or rotation-based operation in equipment or processes.
adjectiveRotary is an adjective describing something relating to or characterized by rotation or circular motion. It often refers to mechanisms or systems designed to rotate, such as rotary engines or rotary dial telephones, implying a functioning that involves spinning or turning parts. The term can also describe a recurring, cyclical pattern or rotation-based operation in equipment or processes.
- Overemphasizing the final syllable, turning /ˈroʊ.tə.ri/ into /ˈroʊ.tə.riː/ or /ˈroʊˈtæɹi/; keep final /ri/ crisp but not elongated. - Flattening the middle /ə/ to a full /æ/ or /ɪ/; aim for a light, quick schwa in the /tə/ position. - Misplacing stress on the second syllable (ro‑TAR‑y) or sounding like 'ROH-task-ree'; maintain primary stress on RO. - In non-rhotic contexts, the /r/ should still be audible in US/AU; UK listeners may hear slightly reduced r, but avoid dropping the /r/ entirely in this word. - Skipping the second syllable altogether in fast speech; practice saying ROH-tuh-ree clearly to preserve the 3-syllable rhythm.
"The rotary engine was once a staple in aviation technology."
"She adjusted the rotary knob to fine-tune the setting."
"They joined a rotary club to participate in community service."
Pronounce it ROH-tuh-ree, with primary stress on the first syllable. IPA: US/UK/AU /ˈroʊ.tə.ri/. Begin with the long O sound /oʊ/ as in 'go', then a Schwa-like /ə/ in the second syllable, and end with a clear /ri/ in the final syllable. Keep the r-coloring audible (rhotic). If you’re unsure about the middle vowel, think of /tə/ as a quick, relaxed middle syllable rather than a full vowel. Audio reference: look for standard pronunciations on Cambridge/Oxford or Forvo entries and your video tutorial for a model windup.
Common errors: misplacing the stress to the second or third syllable (ro-TAR-y) and saying /ˈroʊtəri/ with a strong /ˈri/ at the end or flattening the middle /ə/ to a full /ɪ/. Correction: keep primary stress on RO, reduce the middle vowel to /ə/ (not /æ/ or /ɪ/), and end with a crisp /ri/. Another pitfall is pronouncing the final vowel as a hard /iː/ instead of /ri/. Practice: ROH-tuh-ree with a relaxed middle vowel and a clear 'ree' final.
In US/UK/AU, the initial /roʊ/ remains similar, but rhoticity can affect the IVR sound slightly: US and AU typically maintain rhotic /r/ in /roʊ/ and /ri/. In non-rhotic UK accents, you may hear a less pronounced r before a consonant; however, in this word, the r is typically pronounced. The middle /ə/ remains a schwa-like sound in all three, and the final /ri/ is more compact in UK due to faster syllable reduction. So expect US/AU more defined /r/ and UK slightly softer /r/.
Rotary combines a long first vowel /oʊ/ with a reduced middle /ə/ and a final /ri/, which can be tricky if your language doesn’t use unstressed schwa closely next to a rhotic. The consonant cluster /r/–/t/ can create a brief /ɹt/ transition, requiring precise tongue timing. Additionally, native speakers often reduce the middle syllable in fast speech, so you must maintain steady tempo to preserve distinct syllables. Practice with slow tempo to stabilize the sequence ROH-tuh-ree.
Does Rotary have a tricky silent letter? No; Rotary is fully pronounced with three sound segments: ROH (long O), tuh (schwa), ree (ri). The challenge lies in compressing the middle syllable and keeping the final 'ree' clear, especially in rapid speech. The primary question is about stress: ensure the first syllable carries strong emphasis, not the second. IPA reference: /ˈroʊ.tə.ri/.
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- US: emphasize rhotics; keep /r/ at the start and end of syllables; use a clear /oʊ/ then /ə/; IPA: /ˈroʊ.tə.ɹi/ or /ˈroʊ.tə.ɹi/. - UK: possible non-rhotic tendencies, but in this word most speakers still articulate /r/ before a vowel; keep /ˈroʊ.tə.ɹi/ with less forceful r; note slightly shorter final vowel. - AU: rhotic similar to US with bright /oʊ/ and final /ri/; ensure the 'r' has a soft touch and not blended into a vowel. - Common differences to monitor: fronting of /oɪ/ in some accents, but rotary uses /oʊ/; keep /tə/ reduced; practice with IPA; record and compare.
Rotary comes from the Late Latin rotarius, meaning ‘of wheels’ or ‘relating to rotation’, from rota ‘wheel’. The term entered English in the 19th century, originally used in mechanical and engineering contexts to describe devices designed to rotate. The core idea centers on circular motion, which was central to early machinery and locomotion. Over time, rotary broadened to describe not only physical rotation but also systems that operate through rotation, such as rotary engines, rotary-dial devices, and rotary clubs. The word shares roots with other rotation-based terms like rotate, rotation, and rotor, each emphasizing movement around a central axis. First known usage in English appears in technical texts of the 1800s, where engineers discussed rotary motion and rotary devices in factories, machinery, and early aviation. The semantic extension to organizational bodies (rotary clubs) in the 20th century reflects the metaphor of rotating leaders and attendees in a community service structure.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Rotary" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Rotary" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Rotary"
-ary sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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