STIG-muh
/ˈstɪɡmə/
stigma is pronounced STIG-muh (/ˈstɪɡmə/). Stigma refers to a mark of disgrace or a strong social disapproval that attaches to a person, group, or characteristic. It can also denote a perceived or real source of shame, often shaping behavior and social interactions. The term originated from descriptions of marks on the body but has broadened to social and reputational contexts.
Stigma refers to a mark of disgrace or a strong social disapproval that attaches to a person, group, or characteristic. It can also denote a perceived or real source of shame, often shaping behavior and social interactions. The term originated from descriptions of marks on the body but has broadened to social and reputational contexts.
"The stigma surrounding mental illness can discourage people from seeking help."
"In some communities, there is a stigma attached to using certain medications."
"Advertisers often try to reduce stigma by portraying diverse, realistic characters."
Stigma is pronounced /ˈstɪɡ.mə/ in General American and /ˈstɪg.mə/ in many UK varieties; the stress is on the first syllable. Start with a clear 'st' sound, then a short 'i' as in 'sit', followed by a hard 'g' as in 'go', and finish with a muted 'ə' (schwa). Think: STIG-muh. Close your mouth slightly after the 'g' before the 'm' to keep the syllable boundary clear.
Common errors include pronouncing it as two equal syllables with a strong 'a' after the 'g' (stiga) or slurring the middle to /ɡˈma/ without a clear boundary. Another mistake is devoicing or over-emphasizing the final 'a' instead of the schwa. Correct by ensuring two distinct syllables, with the middle 'g' clearly released and the final syllable reduced to /mə/ rather than /mæ/.
In US English, the initial vowel is stressed and pronounced as /ɪ/ in 'sit', with a clear 'g' and a reduced final /mə/. In UK English, /ˈstɪɡ.mə/ is similar but might have a slightly shorter second syllable and less vowel reduction depending on rapid speech. Australian English is close to UK/US, often with a slightly broader vowel quality in /ɪ/ and a very mild rhoticity; final /ə/ remains a schwa. Overall, the rhythm remains two syllables with stress on the first.
It challenges non-native speakers due to the cluster /stɪɡ/ followed by a quick /mə/; the onset of /ɡ/ before a schwa requires precise mouth position and timing. The final /ə/ is a weak vowel that can be mispronounced as /æ/ or /ɪ/. Keeping the syllable boundary clear and producing a crisp /ɡ/ release helps avoid running the sounds together. IPA cues: /ˈstɪɡ.mə/ shows the stressed first syllable and a reduced second.
In careful speech you’ll hear /ˈstɪɡ.mə/, with a strong aspirated /t/ onset in some dialects? Actually the 't' is not present; the word begins with /st/ cluster where the 't' sound is not separate—it's the continuation of the /s/ into /t/, yielding an affricate feel in some speakers. Focus on /ˈstɪɡ.mə/ with the first syllable stress and a short, crisp /ɡ/ before the /mə/.
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Stigma comes from the Greek stigma (mark, sign, brand), derived from histiō (to mark, brand) or stēma (a mark, sign). In ancient Greece, stigma referred to a physical mark or burn placed on slaves or criminals to indicate their status. By the 16th century, stigma broadened to a figurative sense of disgrace or reproach associated with a person or group. The word traveled into English via Latin stigmat-, in which stigmat- comes from Greek stigmā. The modern sense of social stigma emerged in the 19th and 20th centuries as sociologists and psychologists described the social consequences of labeling, discrimination, and perceived deviance. Today, stigma often hinges on cultural, moral, or health-related judgments and can be internalized, affecting self-identity and behavior, as scholars discuss its impact on social inclusion and health outcomes.
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Words that rhyme with "stigma"
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