2 syllables: Sweat, er. Stress on Sweat.
SWET-ur
/ˈswɛtɚ/
Sweater is pronounced SWET-ur (/ˈswɛtɚ/). It has two syllables (Sweat-er), with the stress on "Sweat". Sweater is a warm garment worn on the upper body, typically knitted from wool or a synthetic fiber. It functions as insulation and style, varying in weight and weave. In everyday terms, a sweater is a cozy, everyday apparel item used indoors or outdoors for warmth and comfort.
nounSweater is a warm garment worn on the upper body, typically knitted from wool or a synthetic fiber. It functions as insulation and style, varying in weight and weave. In everyday terms, a sweater is a cozy, everyday apparel item used indoors or outdoors for warmth and comfort.
"She stayed warm in a thick wool sweater during the hike."
"He folded his sweater and put it in his backpack."
"The new store specializes in cashmere sweaters for winter."
Pronounce as /ˈswɛtər/ in US and UK practice, with stress on the first syllable. The initial consonant cluster is /sw/ as in sweet, followed by the mid-front vowel /ɛ/ in the stressed syllable, then a reduced second syllable /tər/ where the /ər/ reduces toward a schwa + r in rhotic accents. In quick speech, it often sounds like SWEH-dər in non-rhotic varieties. Listen to native speech and match the rhythm: strong first syllable, lighter second syllable. IPA references: US/UK /ˈswɛtər/; note UK often de-emphasizes the second vowel slightly compared to US.
Common errors: (1) pronouncing as /ˈswɪtər/ by misplacing the vowel to /ɪ/ instead of /ɛ/; (2) dropping the second syllable’s schwa, saying /ˈswɛt/ or /ˈswet/ with no vowel in the second syllable. These lead to non-native listener confusion. Correction: keep the second syllable as a reduced /ər/ like ‘er’ in ‘letter,’ even in fast speech. Practice with minimal pairs to fix the vowel quality and ensure the second syllable is light. Use careful enunciation: /ˈswɛ-tər/ with a gentle, quick final /ər/.
In US English, /ˈswɛtər/ with rhotic /r/ in the final syllable and a clear /ɜːr/ or /ər/ realization depending on region. In many UK accents, the final /ər/ becomes /ə/ or /ə/ (non-rhotic), giving /ˈswetə/ with a reduced or silent r. Australian English often aligns with US in rhoticity but may feature a slightly more centralized /ə/ in the second syllable and a broader vowel in the first syllable. Overall, rhoticity and vowel quality difference account for the main variation; US and AU tend toward clearer /r/; UK commonly reduces the final r.
Sweater challenges include the quick, light /ər/ in the second syllable, which is easily reduced in connected speech; many learners overpronounce the second syllable as /ər/ with full vowel length. The /sw/ onset also requires lip rounding and tongue positioning before the front vowel /ɛ/. The contrast between /ɛ/ and /e/ can be tricky depending on a learner’s native vowel inventory. Practice focusing on the subtle schwa-like second syllable and the quick transition from /sw/ to /ɛ/.
A unique question: is the second syllable always pronounced as /ər/? In many dialects, yes, but some speakers, especially in fast speech or certain regional accents, reduce to /ə/ or even a syllable-final /r/ in rhotic dialects; others may sound /tər/ with a pronounced /r/. The key is to maintain a light, quick /ər/ rather than a full vowel + /r/; the rhythm is stressed on the first syllable. Use a brief, almost inaudible /ə/ in casual speech, but ensure the /r/ is present in rhotic varieties.
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Sweater traces to 15th–16th century English, originally meaning a garment used to sweat or to sweat in physical exertion, with “sweat” linked to heat and perspiration. The noun sweater, as a knitted upper-body garment for warmth, emerged in the 19th century, influenced by the increasing popularity of woollen knits and sports/workwear. Early uses referred to casual knitwear worn for warmth during labor or sport; by the mid-20th century, the word had become standard for a wool or cotton knitted top worn as an outer layer. The modern sense has broadened to include lightweight versions and synthetics such as acrylic blends, while “sweater” remains distinct from snug sweaters that are part of formal uniforms in some regions. First known use appears in American English literature and catalogs around the 1800s, with increasing prominence in fashion discourse in the early 1900s as knitwear became democratized.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Sweater" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Sweater" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Sweater"
-der sounds
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