2 syllables: Stat, ue. Stress on Stat.
STACH-oo
/ˈstæˌtʃu/
Statue is pronounced STACH-oo (/ˈstæˌtʃu/). It has two syllables (Stat-ue), with the stress on "Stat". Statue is a noun meaning a carved or molded figure of a person or animal, typically made to stand still as a work of art or to commemorate someone. It refers to the solid, three‑dimensional form itself, often displayed in public or private spaces. The term emphasizes permanence, stillness, and representation rather than motion or function.
nounStatue is a noun meaning a carved or molded figure of a person or animal, typically made to stand still as a work of art or to commemorate someone. It refers to the solid, three‑dimensional form itself, often displayed in public or private spaces. The term emphasizes permanence, stillness, and representation rather than motion or function.
How to Pronounce Statue
"The city unveiled a bronze statue in memory of the scientist."
"During the parade, a statue of the founder stood at the town square."
"Children paused to take photos with the marble statue by the fountain."
Pronounce as /ˈstæt.juː/ (US) or /ˈsta.tjuː/ (UK/AU). The primary stress falls on the first syllable, which sounds like 'stat' (as in 'stand' without the n), followed by a 'you' glide. The second syllable begins with a clear 'y' sound transitioning into a long 'oo' as in 'you'. Keep the /t/ crisp and avoid linking the /t/ to the following /j/. Audio examples from common dictionaries can be used for reference.
Common mistakes include slurring the second syllable or reducing it to 'stat-oo' with a weak /t/. Some speakers mishear it as 'stat-you' with an American /ju/ rather than a glide; ensure a short /j/ before the /uː/. Another frequent error is merging syllables into 'statue' with reduced vowel length in the first syllable. Focus on maintaining a clear /æ/ in the first syllable and a distinct /j/ onset before /uː/.
In US English, /ˈstæt.juː/ with a strong short /æ/ and a distinct /j/ onset; the second syllable has a long /uː/. UK/AU often render it /ˈsta.tjuː/ with a crisper /t/ and less vowel reduction in the first syllable; the /r/ is not rhotic in non-rhotic accents, but 'statue' remains unaffected by rhoticity. The primary stress remains on the first syllable in all three, but vowel qualities and the /t/ articulation can vary slightly due to flapping in US or T-glottalization in some UK dialects.
The difficulty centers on the two distinct vowel sounds in quick succession and the /t/ articulation before a glide. The first syllable uses a short /æ/ that can be reduced in fast speech, while the second syllable requires a clear /j/ onset blending into /uː/. Speakers coming from languages without syllable-timed patterns or with vowel elongation can mispronounce the glide or merge the syllables. Practice with controlled tempo and IPA cues to stabilize the transition between /æ/ and /j/.
A unique aspect is the front-heavy vowel /æ/ in the first syllable with a following /t/; ensure the tongue creates a brief alveolar stop before the /j/. In some rapid speech, listeners may hear a subtle drop between /æ/ and /t/ or glide too early, producing /ˈstætjuː/ or /ˈsta.juː/. It’s important to hold the /t/ crisp and allow a clean /j/ onset to support the /uː/.
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Statue comes from French statue, from Latin statua, meaning 'a standing figure' or 'a representation, image'. The Latin root stat- means 'to stand' or 'set up'. Through Old French statue and Middle English, the sense evolved from a standing figure or representation to specifically a carved or cast work of art. The earliest uses in English align with sculpture and monumental representation, often borrowed from Latin grammatic or ecclesiastical contexts where statues served as devotional objects. Over centuries, statue broadened to denote any bust or figure in sculpture, regardless of material. In modern usage, statue most commonly describes a non-moving, three-dimensional likeness, with connotations of permanence, tribute, or commemorative function. The evolution mirrors shifts in art production and display—from classical stone and bronze commemoratives to marble, terracotta, and contemporary materials—while retaining the core sense of a fixed, representational figure planned for public or private viewing.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Statue" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Statue" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Statue"
-oty sounds
-uty sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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