2 syllables: Se, ven. Stress on Se.
SEV-uhn
/ˈsɛvən/
Seven is pronounced SEV-uhn (/ˈsɛvən/). It has two syllables (Se-ven), with the stress on "Se". Seven is a cardinal number and a noun referring to the number 7 in counting or ordering. It also appears in idiomatic expressions (e.g., seven of nine) and can function as an adjective in some contexts. The term is used across everyday language, mathematics, and literature to denote a specific quantity or position.
nounSeven is a cardinal number and a noun referring to the number 7 in counting or ordering. It also appears in idiomatic expressions (e.g., seven of nine) and can function as an adjective in some contexts. The term is used across everyday language, mathematics, and literature to denote a specific quantity or position.
"We have seven days in a week."
"Seven students passed the exam, but three failed."
"She wore seven bracelets to the party."
In General American, say SEN-ven with primary stress on the first syllable. IPA: /ˈsɛvən/. Start with an open, mid-front vowel /ɛ/ as in 'bed,' then a clear /v/ sound, followed by a softened /ən/ in the second syllable. In casual speech, the second vowel may reduce slightly to a schwa, but keep the /v/ prominent. You can listen to native examples on pronunciation dictionaries for confirmation.
Common errors include misplacing the vowel in the first syllable (pronouncing /siː/ as in 'see') and turning the /v/ into a /w/ or /f/ in rapid speech. Another frequent slip is vowel reduction in the second syllable, producing /ˈsɛvən/ with a stressed second syllable or an unreleased final consonant. Focus on a short, clear /ə/ or schwa and ensure the /v/ is voiced and distinct.
US and UK both typically use /ˈsɛvən/ with a rhotic or non-rhotic r in this word no, there is no r. The main difference is vowel quality: US /ɛ/ as in 'dress' and UK /ɛ/ similarly; Australians often merge /ə/ with a lighter, quicker schwa in the second syllable. In all, stress remains on the first syllable, but vowel length and schwa quality can vary slightly by rhythm and speed.
The challenge lies in the quick transition from the avowed vowel /ɛ/ to the /v/ and then a reduced /ən/ without a strong vowel in the final syllable. The sequence /vən/ can become softer or elided in rapid speech, causing confusion with similar words like 'seventy' or 'eleven.' Maintaining clear /v/ articulation and a stable schwa helps avoid ambiguity and ensures crisp secondary syllable reduction.
A notable feature is maintaining lexical stress on the first syllable even when the word is part of a longer phrase (e.g., 'seven of them'). The second syllable often reduces to a schwa, but you should still articulate the /v/ and keep the /n/ clear to avoid l VM blending with adjacent words. This helps preserve contrast with similar numbers like 'seventy' while keeping natural rhythm.
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The word seven traces to Old English seofan, from Proto-Germanic *seebenaz (with a long e sound documented in early Germanic texts). It is related to similar terms in other Germanic languages (e.g., Old High German sieben, Dutch zeven, German sieben). The root is connected to the Proto-Indo-European root *sept-, which also yields Latin septem, Greek hepta, Sanskrit saptan. Over time, the spelling evolved through Middle English as seven, with pronunciation shifting due to sound changes in English phonology, including vowel reduction and the Great Vowel Shift. The numerals formed a stable part of the base lexicon used in counting, ordering, and calendrical references. First known written use appears in Old English texts around the early medieval period, illustrating its long-standing role in numeracy and everyday speech.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Seven" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Seven" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Seven"
-ven sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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