2 syllables: Snip, pet. Stress on Snip.
SNIP-uht
/ˈsnɪpət/
Snippet is pronounced SNIP-uht (/ˈsnɪpət/). It has two syllables (Snip-pet), with the stress on "Snip". As a noun, a short, incongruent piece of text or code; a small, detached quotation or sample taken from a larger body. In everyday use, a snippet is typically a brief excerpt from a conversation, article, or programming source, often shared to illustrate a point or demonstrate a feature. It implies conciseness and a representative fragment rather than the whole.
nounA short, incongruent piece of text or code; a small, detached quotation or sample taken from a larger body. In everyday use, a snippet is typically a brief excerpt from a conversation, article, or programming source, often shared to illustrate a point or demonstrate a feature. It implies conciseness and a representative fragment rather than the whole.
How to Pronounce Snippet
"- I pasted a snippet of the article into the chat to discuss its main idea."
"- The programmer saved a code snippet to reuse in another project."
"- She quoted a snippet from the report during the meeting."
Pronounce as SNIP-it with primary stress on the first syllable. IPA: US/UK/AU: /ˈsnɪp.ɪt/. The first vowel is a short, lax lax [ɪ] as in sit; the second syllable is a reduced, unstressed [ɪ]. Keep the tongue near the high-front position for /ɪ/ and finish with a crisp [t]. Aim for a quick, even tempo between syllables rather than a drawn-out middle.”,
Two common errors: (1) Slurring the t, making it sound like SNIP-IH instead of SNIP-it; ensure a crisp final /t/. (2) Reducing to one syllable or turning it into SNIPPIT with a stressed second syllable; keep the first syllable prominent and the second weak but audible. Practice by isolating the final /t/ with a short pause after the first syllable to reinforce the light second syllable. Focus on the quick transition between /snɪp/ and /ɪt/.
Differences are subtle: US/UK/AU share /ˈsnɪp.ɪt/; the main variation is vowel quality in /ɪ/. US often has a slightly tenser /ɪ/; UK may have a purer, shorter /ɪ/ and crisper /t/. Australian tends toward a very light /t/ or alveolar flap in casual speech, but in careful speech it remains /t/. In all, rhoticity is not a factor here; the rhythm remains strong on the first syllable. Maintain the light, clipped second syllable in all three.
Difficulties center on the short, high front vowel /ɪ/ in both syllables and the final /t/ release. Many English learners produce a syllable-timed feel that lengthens /ɪ/ or drops the final consonant, collapsing the word into one beat. The quick transition between /snɪp/ and /ɪt/ can create a small spacing issue; practice timing using a metronome and minimal pairs to stabilize the separation and ensure the final /t/ is audible.
Snippet has a straightforward stress pattern: /ˈsnɪp.ɪt/. There are no silent letters here; both syllables carry a distinct vowel, with the first syllable stressed. The second syllable is unstressed, producing a quick, lighter end. The second syllable’s vowel is a reduced /ɪ/ sound, which tends to be shorter and less intense. Practicing with a two-beat tempo helps you feel the natural rhythm and prevents over-emphasizing the second syllable.
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Snippet originates from Middle English snippets, meaning small bite or fragment. The word likely derives from obsolete forms of “snippet” linked to ‘snip,’ meaning to cut off or trim. The sense evolved in the 16th–17th centuries to describe small pieces of text or code cut from a larger whole, akin to a small, snipped bit. By the 19th century, it had become common in publishing and early computing to refer to brief excerpts. The term conveys conciseness and selectivity, emphasizing a tiny portion rather than the entire work. It remains widely used in programming and literature to indicate a reusable, concise example. First known usage in print is attested in the late 1500s, with thematic expansion into technical contexts in the 20th century as digital media and programming practices grew. ”,
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Help others use "Snippet" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "Snippet" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Snippet" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Snippet"
-pet sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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