suh-PAWR-tur
/səˈpɔɹtɚ/
supporter is pronounced suh-PAWR-tur (/səˈpɔɹtɚ/). A person who supports or advocates a cause, candidate, or team; someone who provides encouragement, resources, or endorsement. In everyday use, it often refers to a fan or backer. The term emphasizes ongoing backing rather than the actual act of supporting, and is commonly used in political, sports, and social contexts.
A person who supports or advocates a cause, candidate, or team; someone who provides encouragement, resources, or endorsement. In everyday use, it often refers to a fan or backer. The term emphasizes ongoing backing rather than the actual act of supporting, and is commonly used in political, sports, and social contexts.
"The charity event drew many supporters who donated generously."
"You’ll need a strong supporter network if you’re running a campaign."
"She’s a vocal supporter of the arts in her community."
Pronounce as /səˈpɔː.tər/ in General American; /səˈpɔː.tə/ in many UK variants where the final r is non-rhotic. The primary stress is on the second syllable. Mouth position: start with a soft schwa in the first syllable, then open-mid back vowel /ɔː/ for the second syllable, and finish with a light, unstressed /ər/ or /ə/ depending on accent. Audio reference you can compare with is standard dictionaries that provide spoken examples.
Common errors: (1) Overemphasizing the second syllable by making /ɔː/ too long or tense; (2) Misplacing the final /r/ in rhotic accents, making it sound clipped or silent; (3) Confusing with ‘support’ by dropping the final -er. Correction tips: practice /səˈpɔː.tər/ with a light, rhotic or non-rhotic ending depending on your accent; ensure the final syllable has a short, unstressed schwa or a clear /ər/ in American English. Use 2–3 minimal pairs to stabilize rhythm.
In General American, final /r/ is pronounced; you’ll hear /səˈpɔːr.tər/. In most UK non-rhotic varieties, the final /r/ is not pronounced; thus /səˈpɔː.tə/. Australian typically aligns with rhotic tendencies but may have a weaker post-vocalic /r/, often closer to /səˈpɔːtə/. Vowel quality of /ɔː/ tends to be open-mid back in all, but length and r-coloring vary with rhoticity. Focus on final syllable brevity in non-rhotic accents.
Two main challenges: (a) the two-syllable rhythm with secondary stress patterns requires precise timing; (b) the /ɔː/ vowel in the stressed second syllable can be tricky for speakers whose native language has a shorter or fronted vowel in that position. Also, the final unstressed -er can reduce to a schwa or be fully pronounced in rhotic dialects. Practice with focus on the transition from /p/ to /ɔː/ to /t/ and then a relaxed /ər/.
The critical, unique aspect is maintaining the contrast between the stressed /ɔː/ in the second syllable and the following unstressed /ər/ in rhotic accents, while ensuring the /t/ is clearly released; many learners insert a velarized or glottalized /t/ in rapid speech. Keeping the sternum of the mouth relaxed to prevent a tense /ɔː/ helps accuracy across dialects.
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Supporter derives from the verb support, which comes from the Old French soutenir (to sustain, keep up) and ultimately from Latin supportare (to cast under, support). The noun form appeared in Middle English as supporter, signifying someone who sustains or upholds a person or cause. The core semantic field centers on physical or figurative backing: providing physical support, moral encouragement, or political endorsement. The root word support itself traces to Latin sub- (under) and portare (to carry), which evolved through Old French into Middle English. Over time, supporters expanded from physical props—such as a person who helps bear a load or upholds a structure—to figurative roles: political backers, fans, or advocates wi th loyalty and active aid. By the modern period, supporter is a stable term in politics, sports, nonprofit sectors, and grassroots campaigns, frequently collocating with phrases like “financial supporters,” “supporter base,” and “creditor’s or sponsor’s support.” First known usage in English appears in the late medieval/early modern period, with the sense gradually broadening from a “one who supports” in a general sense to a more specialized role in public, social, and organizational contexts. The word’s capacious meaning reflects the enduring human need for allies who provide sustenance, advocacy, and encouragement across diverse domains.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "supporter" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "supporter" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "supporter"
-ter sounds
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