3 syllables: Syn, chro, ny. Stress on Syn.
SING-kruh-nee
/ˈsɪŋ.kɹə.ni/
Synchrony is pronounced SING-kruh-nee (/ˈsɪŋ.kɹə.ni/). It has three syllables (Syn-chro-ny), with the stress on "Syn". Synchrony is the quality or state of two or more things happening at the same time or in perfect harmony. In psychology, biology, or systems, it refers to coordinated timing that produces a seamless, unified action or response. It emphasizes simultaneity and coordination rather than sequential, separate actions.
nounSynchrony is the quality or state of two or more things happening at the same time or in perfect harmony. In psychology, biology, or systems, it refers to coordinated timing that produces a seamless, unified action or response. It emphasizes simultaneity and coordination rather than sequential, separate actions.
"The dance routine relied on synchrony between the dancers and their lighting cues."
"In biomedicine, heart and breathing rates can show remarkable synchrony during meditation."
"The orchestra achieved beautiful synchrony, each section perfectly aligned with the conductor's baton."
Pronounce it as /ˈsɪŋ.kroʊ.ni/ (US) or /ˈsɪŋ.krə.ni/ (UK/AU). The primary stress is on the first syllable: SYNG-ruh-nee. Start with a high-front lax vowel in the first syllable, then a mid central vowel in the second, and an unstressed final 'ee' sound. Keep the 'ng' as in 'sing', lightly link to the middle syllable without an extra vowel in between.
Common errors include misplacing the stress (putting it on the second syllable), pronouncing the middle as 'syn-KROH-ni' with a long 'o' in the second syllable, and dropping the 'r' or over-rolling it. Correct approach: stress the first syllable, pronounce the middle as a short 'ruh' or 'kə' depending on accent, and keep a light, non-rhotic 'r' in UK/AU when applicable. The final 'ny' should be an unstressed 'nee' with a smooth glide.
US: /ˈsɪŋ.kroʊ.ni/ with a tense 'o' in the second syllable and rhoticity affecting the 'r' in connected speech. UK/AU: /ˈsɪŋ.krə.ni/ with a reduced middle vowel to /ə/ and non-rhotic pronunciation; the 'r' is typically silent unless followed by a vowel. The vowel in the second syllable shifts slightly toward schwa in many British contexts, while American speakers keep a more defined /oʊ/.
Two main challenges: the unstressed middle syllable and the gliding transition between syllables. The middle 'kro' or 'krə' must blend quickly with the first syllable’s consonant cluster, avoiding a faint or extra vowel. Practically, focus on a tight transition: syllable 1 ends with a clear 'ng' and syllable 2 starts immediately with a short, relaxed 'k' followed by a neutral vowel. Pay attention to whether your accent uses rhotic or non-rhotic r.
A distinctive tip is to practice the initial consonant cluster with a light, continuous 'ng' nasal + 'k' onset: /ŋk/ as a quick, almost single sound bridging syllables. Visualize the shape of your mouth: the tongue raised to the palate for 's', an 'ng' tract for the final of the first syllable, then a relaxed mid-central vowel for the second syllable onset. Use a mirror to ensure you don’t add an extra vowel between syllables.
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Synchrony derives from the Greek prefix syn- meaning 'together' and horke- from the root for 'timing' or 'matching' (though the precise ancient form is debated). The term appears in science, philosophy, and medicine in the 19th and early 20th centuries as scholars sought to describe coordinated timing phenomena—e.g., synchronized movements, neural firing, or physiological rhythms. In English, synchrony long existed as a concept in anatomy and physiology before becoming common in psychology and systems theory, where it contrasted with asynchrony to emphasize precise timing and coordination. The modern sense of synchrony as a condition of perfect or near-perfect temporal alignment across agents or processes emerged with advances in automation, signal processing, and the study of social synchronization. First known uses appear in scientific texts and discourse around the mid-1800s, with progression into broader usage in the 20th century as interdisciplinary research highlighted the importance of timing and coordination in complex systems.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Synchrony" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "Synchrony"
-ncy sounds
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