2 syllables: Star, ry. Stress on Star.
STAH-ree
/ˈstɑˌɹi/
Starry is pronounced STAH-ree (/ˈstɑˌɹi/). It has two syllables (Star-ry), with the stress on "Star". Starry is an adjective describing something decorated with stars or sparkling like stars. It conveys a sense of celestial or luminous quality, often used to evoke a dreamy or imaginative atmosphere. In speech, it commonly modifies nouns like skies, nights, or eyes, and can carry poetic or descriptive nuance beyond literal star patterns.
adjectiveStarry is an adjective describing something decorated with stars or sparkling like stars. It conveys a sense of celestial or luminous quality, often used to evoke a dreamy or imaginative atmosphere. In speech, it commonly modifies nouns like skies, nights, or eyes, and can carry poetic or descriptive nuance beyond literal star patterns.
"The night sky was starry and bright."
"Her eyes looked starry with wonder after the performance."
"We waded through a starry field of lights at the festival."
Starry is pronounced /ˈstɑː.ri/ in US and UK, with two syllables and primary stress on the first: STAH-ree. The tip is to start with a broad open back vowel /ɑː/ like ‘spa’, then glide to a clean /ri/ with an upbeat, quick second syllable. In Australian speech you’ll hear a similar pattern, sometimes with a slightly clipped second syllable. Listen for the clear /ˈstɑː.ri/ in native samples to confirm the two distinct vowels and the 'r' after the first vowel.
Common errors include merging the syllables into one: /ˈstær.i/ (American ‘stair-ee’) instead of /ˈstɑː.ri/. Another mistake is pronouncing /ˈstɑː.ri/ with a non-rhotic American tendency dropping the /r/ before a vowel; keep the rhotic /r/ sound. Finally, some say /ˈstɜːri/ or /ˈsteri/ by misplacing the mouth around /ɜː/ or reducing /ri/ to /riː/. To correct, emphasize two distinct nuclei: /ɑː/ then /ri/ with a crisp r, and avoid vowel reduction in rapid speech.
In US English, /ˈstɑː.ri/ with rhotic /r/ and a long /ɑː/ in the first syllable. UK English typically /ˈstɑː.ri/ as well, but may feature a slightly non-rhotic or subtle r in connected speech; however, standard RP preserves the /r/ before vowels in careful speech. Australian English tends to have a broad /aː/ similar to /ɑː/ and a crisp /ri/; you might hear slightly flatter vowels and a more rounded mouth shape. Across all, stress remains on the first syllable.
The difficulty lies in coordinating the two syllables with crisp vowel fidelity and the rhotic /r/ sound, which can be subtle in some accents. The long /ɑː/ must be held but not overextended, while the /ri/ demands a rounded lip shape and a quick, clean /r/. For non-native speakers, the risk is vowel shortening before /r/ and blending /ɑː/ into a dull /æ/ or /ɒ/. Practice by isolating each vowel, then layering them with a controlled timing.
Starry often pairs with imagery like night skies and eyes. Its stress and two-phoneme nucleus require crisp separation: /ˈstɑː/ then /ri/. The word’s charm lies in a bright, open first vowel and a bright, quick second syllable; keeping lips moulded for a rounded /ri/ helps maintain the glinting, celestial feel of the word.
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Starry originates from the Old English word staer meaning star, related to the Proto-Germanic starą. The suffix -y is an adjective-forming ending from Old English -ig and later -y, used to form descriptive adjectives. The root word star has cognates in many Germanic languages (e.g., Dutch ster, German Stern). The sense “resembling or filled with stars” emerged in Middle English as a natural extension of “star” to describe something characterized by star-like qualities—bright, glittering, celestial. The word has evolved to carry both literal astronomical meaning and figurative, poetic nuance, as in phrases like starry-eyed or starry night, expanding into literary usage in the 18th–19th centuries with Romantic poets highlighting the night sky’s beauty.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Starry" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Starry" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Starry"
-ary sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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