2 syllables: Sex Ap, peal. Stress on Sex Ap.
sek-suh-PEEL
/ˈsɛks əˈpiːl/
Sex Appeal is pronounced sek-suh-PEEL (/ˈsɛks əˈpiːl/). It has two syllables (Sex Ap-peal), with the stress on "Sex Ap". Sex appeal (as a noun) refers to the quality or ability of a person or thing to attract sexual interest or admiration. It conveys allure, charm, and marketable desirability, often linked to appearance, attitude, or charisma. The term emphasizes aesthetic or social magnetism that can be perceived in demeanor, voice, or presentation rather than physical attributes alone.
nounSex appeal (as a noun) refers to the quality or ability of a person or thing to attract sexual interest or admiration. It conveys allure, charm, and marketable desirability, often linked to appearance, attitude, or charisma. The term emphasizes aesthetic or social magnetism that can be perceived in demeanor, voice, or presentation rather than physical attributes alone.
"Her sex appeal increased with a confident, relaxed posture and steady gaze."
"The campaign emphasized sophistication and sex appeal without relying on explicit imagery."
"Some actors cultivate sex appeal through timing, subtle facial expressions, and controlled breath."
- Primary stress on SEX and on AP- or APPEAL depending on emphasis: /ˈsɛks ˌæp.iːl/ or /ˈsɛks əˈpiːl/ in some contexts. US and UK both typically begin with /ˈsɛks/ (two-syllable word for ‘sex’), followed by a clear /æp/ syllable and a long, rounded /iːl/ for ‘appeal.’ In careful speech, separate the words: /ˈsɛks/ /ˌæp.iːl/. Practice with a short pause between the words. Listen for the ‘x’ sound ending the first syllable and make sure the second word starts with a crisp /æ/ or reduced /ə/ depending on emphasis. Audio reference: imagine a clear, deliberate release of /æ/ in appeal. IPA: US/UK: ˈsɛks ˌæp.iːl; US also tolerates ˈsɛks əˈpiːl when emphasizing the second word slightly.
Common mistakes include merging the two words too quickly (reduced boundary) and mispronouncing the second word’s vowel. Correction: pause briefly between ‘Sex’ and ‘Appeal’ to keep /ˈsɛks/ distinct from /æp.iːl/ or /əˈpiːl/. Another error is pronouncing ‘appeal’ with a short /i/ as in ‘peel’ (/piːl) instead of the long /iː/ in /əˈpiːl/. Ensure the final consonant of ‘appeal’ is not swallowed; keep a clear syllable /æp/ then /iːl/. Finally, avoid devoicing the final /l/; keep it light but audible. IPA guidance: /ˈsɛks ˌæp.iːl/ or /ˈsɛks əˈpiːl/.
US tends to maintain a fuller /æ/ in ‘appeal’ and a pronounced /ɪ/ in the first syllable of ‘appeal’ depending on stress; UK may feature a slightly shorter final vowel in casual speech and can reduce the second syllable more. In Australian English, vowel qualities can shift toward a broader /æ/ in ‘appeal’ and a slightly clipped /ˈsɛks/ before the second word. Across accents, rhoticity is generally not a deciding factor for this phrase; the key is vowel length in /æp/ and the final /iːl/ that remains long in all. IPA references: US/UK: ˈsɛks ˌæp.iːl; AU: ˈsɛks ˌæp.iːl.
The difficulty lies in managing the boundary between two distinct words and the long final vowel in ‘appeal’ after a tight /æ/ vowel in ‘appeal.’ Also, maintaining distinct syllables in fast speech can be tricky, since many speakers blur the boundary. Focus on a short, crisp /sɛks/ followed by a clearly separated /æp.iːl/ or /əˈpiːl/ with a steady tempo. Practice is especially helpful to avoid slurring and to maintain the long final /iːl/.
A notable aspect is the separation between the two words: ensure you keep a perceptible space between ‘Sex’ and ‘Appeal,’ so the phrase isn’t pronounced as a single, fused word. This separation helps maintain the explicit /ˈsɛks/ first word and the secondary stress on the second word, which is common in marketing or descriptive usage. Emphasize the long /iː/ at the end of ‘appeal’ to convey the intended meaning clearly.
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Sex (from Latin sexus, meaning ‘gender, male or female’) originally denoted biological distinctions. Appeal derives from Old French appealier, from Latin appeller, meaning ‘to call upon, to beckon.’ The modern compound sex appeal emerged in the 20th century to describe the combined effect of sexual attractiveness and allure. The term integrated two powerful cultural concepts: sexuality and aesthetic or social appeal. Early uses aligned with advertising and entertainment industries emphasizing marketable attractiveness; over time it broadened to describe attitudes, voice, fashion, and demeanor that evoke sexual desirability. First known usages appear in mid-20th-century journalism and popular culture writing, where advertisers and commentators described performers or products with “sex appeal” as a selling point or characteristic trait. The expression crystallized as a fixed phrase in English and remains a common evaluative term in media, fashion, and psychology discussions of attractiveness and desirability.
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Words that rhyme with "Sex Appeal"
-eal sounds
-eel sounds
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