SUHL-feyet
/ˈsʌˌlfaɪt/
sulfite is pronounced SUHL-feyet (/ˈsʌˌlfaɪt/). Sulfite is a chemical anion or salt derived from sulfurous acid, often used as a preservative or reducing agent. In chemistry contexts it denotes the SO3^2− ion or its salts; in food-safety and wine-sulfite discussions it refers to compounds containing the sulfite group. The term is common in science, industry, and regulation, and correct pronunciation helps distinguish it from similar terms like sulfate or sulfide.
Sulfite is a chemical anion or salt derived from sulfurous acid, often used as a preservative or reducing agent. In chemistry contexts it denotes the SO3^2− ion or its salts; in food-safety and wine-sulfite discussions it refers to compounds containing the sulfite group. The term is common in science, industry, and regulation, and correct pronunciation helps distinguish it from similar terms like sulfate or sulfide.
Actionable tips: - Drill two minimal pairs: sulfite vs sulfate; sulfite vs sulfur. Notice vowel quality shifts, especially the first syllable. - Practice silent-tongue-knot: place tongue at alveolar ridge for /s/, relax into /əl/ with a light schwa, then glide into /faɪt/ with a smooth diphthong. - Do speed ramping: say it slowly, then at 70%, then full speed, ensuring the final /t/ is audible.
"The wine sample contained sulfite concentrations above the permitted limit."
"Researchers added sulfite as a reducing agent in the experiment."
"Some people are sensitive to sulfites and must avoid certain foods."
Sulfite is pronounced /ˈsəlˌfaɪt/ in US English, with the primary stress on the first syllable and a lighter secondary stress before the final -ite. In careful speech you’ll hear the sequence: 'SUL' as /ˈsəl/ with a schwa-like second vowel, then 'fite' /faɪt/. In UK and AU accents the pronunciation is essentially the same: /ˈsʌl.faɪt/ or /ˈsəl.faɪt/ depending on vowel quality; the key is the /faɪt/ ending. Listen for clear /faɪt/ rather than a clipped /faɪ/.
Common errors include misplacing stress (pronouncing it as SUL-fit or sul-FAIT), and mispronouncing the final /aɪt/ as /ɪt/. Some learners shorten the first syllable too much, producing /ˈsʌlfaɪt/ with weak second syllable. Correct by emphasizing the first syllable and ensuring the second is a true /aɪ/ glide into /t/. Focus on a crisp consonant cluster: /s/ + /əl/ + /faɪt/.
Across US/UK/AU, the ending /faɪt/ is consistent. The primary difference is the quality of the first vowel: US /ˈsəlˌfaɪt/ often rhymes with 'selt-late' when spoken quickly; UK /ˈsʌl.faɪt/ may use a shorter /ʌ/ in the first syllable; AU tends to a broader /ʌ/ or /ə/ similar to US but with slightly more open vowel. Overall, rhotics don’t affect this word much; all three share /faɪt/ and similar intonation patterns in declarative statements.
The challenge lies in the closed diphthong /aɪ/ combined with a clean onset /səl/ sequence; many speakers conflate /I/ with short /ɪ/ or misplace stress across two syllables. Also, the /l/ position after an initial s can blur in rapid speech. Practicing the transition from the schwa-like /ə/ or /ɪ/ in the first syllable into /faɪt/ helps. Slow, deliberate articulation clarifies the vowel progression and final consonant release.
A unique aspect is maintaining a clear /l/ after the initial /s/, making the sequence /ˈsəl/ rather than /ˈsol/ or /ˈsul/. The first syllable often carries secondary stress in long lists (e.g., ‘sulfite ions and sulfites in solution’), but the primary stress remains on the first syllable. Focus on isolating the /s/ + /əl/ blend before transitioning to /faɪt/.
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Sulfite derives from sulfurous acid (H2SO3). The term sulfurous comes from late Latin sulfurosus, via French sulfurous; sulfite combines sulfur with the suffix -ite to denote a mono- or di-valent anion in chemistry. The root sulfur traces back to Latin sulfur, Greek theion, and Old English seolfor; the -ite suffix in chemistry classically labels an anion or salt related to a parent acid, analogous to sulfide (S2−) and sulfate (SO4^2−). The first known written use in chemistry appears in 19th-century literature as industry and analytical chemistry formalized ion naming. Over time, sulfite has become a standard term in organic and inorganic chemistry, winemaking, and food preservation. The word’s precise pronunciation settled into English with stress on the first syllable (SUL-fite) and a final -ite sounding like “ight,” paralleling other -ite anions. In modern usage, sulfite most often appears in discussing reactive oxygen species, food additives, and preservative regulation, where clear naming of sulfite salts is essential for safety labeling and scientific communication.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "sulfite" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "sulfite"
-ite sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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