STER-wayz
/ˈstɛˌɹweɪz/
stairways is pronounced STER-wayz (/ˈstɛˌɹweɪz/). Stairways refer to multiple sets of steps leading upward, typically in a building or outdoor area. The noun is plural and emphasizes the ascent as a sequence of treads and risers. It can describe any collection of staircases connected to different levels, often used in architectural or navigational contexts.
Stairways refer to multiple sets of steps leading upward, typically in a building or outdoor area. The noun is plural and emphasizes the ascent as a sequence of treads and risers. It can describe any collection of staircases connected to different levels, often used in architectural or navigational contexts.
"We climbed the stairways to the rooftop, enjoying the city view as the sun set."
"Emergency exit stairways must be kept clear at all times."
"The hotel has ornate stairways that connect the lobby to the balcony dining area."
Stairways is pronounced as /ˈstɛərˌweɪz/ in US and UK dictionaries, with primary stress on STEER (first syllable) and a secondary stress on WAYS. Start with the /st/ cluster, then the diphthong /ɛə/ (as in air), a light rhotacized or unrounded /ɔɹ/ quality depending on accent, followed by /ˌweɪz/ with a clear /eɪ/ glide and a final /z/. In quick speech you may hear a smoother connection: /ˈstɛə.weɪz/.”,
Common errors include flattening the /ɛə/ to a plain /e/ or /eɪ/ sound, and misplacing stress as /ˈstɜːrwɛɪz/. Another frequent issue is omitting the /z/ at the end or turning it into /s/. Correct approach: keep the /st/ cluster tight, ensure the first syllable has /ɛə/ as a mid-high back diphthong, place secondary stress on the second syllable, and end with voiced /z/. Practice the sequence: /ˈstɛər/ + /weɪz/.
In US English, /ˈstɛərˌweɪz/ often uses a rhotic vowel blend and a more pronounced /ɹ/ or a reduced /ɹ/ in fast speech. In UK English, /ˈsteəˌweɪz/ features a longer /eə/ and less rhoticity, with a 'steer' quality before /weɪz/. Australian English tends to be closer to US/UK but with a flatter /eə/ and a sometimes less pronounced /r/. Across accents, ensure stress placement remains on the first syllable, and preserve the /weɪ/ glide in the second syllable.
The difficulty comes from two prominent features: the first syllable’s /ɛə/ diphthong, which sits between /e/ and /æ/ for many learners, and the final /z/ voiced consonant in rapid speech. Native speakers fuse the sequence smoothly, so learners may over-contrast or misplace the stress. Achieve accuracy by articulating /ˈstɛər/ clearly with front-tongue raising, then glide into /weɪz/ without breaking the syllable. Using minimal pairs helps you lock this pattern.
A distinctive feature is the separation and balance of syllables: /ˈstɛər/ + /weɪz/ requires maintaining a strong initial syllable and a distinct final -ways with /z/. The secondary stress on the second syllable (ˌweɪz) is less prominent than the primary on the first, but audible in careful speech. The word’s rhythm often feels like two short words joined: 'stair' and 'ways,' which can mislead learners to split too cleanly.
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Stairways derives from the word stair, which traces back to the Old English steor or old Norse stigi, both linked to the Proto-Germanic root *stairan- meaning a staircase or ladder. The plural suffix -ways evolved to indicate multiple pathways or routes, akin to other compound plurals formed with -ways in English. The concept of stairs as architectural features appeared in medieval Europe, with stairways often built to ascend to chapels, towers, or city walls. Over time, stairways became a standard architectural element in both public buildings and private homes, and the plural form stairways is used when referencing more than one such flight, or passages that function as stairs. The word’s usage broadened in the 19th and 20th centuries with growing urban structures, leading to the everyday sense of “stairways” as a generic term for multiple staircases in a location. First known print attestations appear in building specifications and travel guides describing internal and external stair networks.
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Words that rhyme with "stairways"
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