TAY-buhl-spoonz
/ˈteɪbəlˌspunz/
tablespoons is pronounced TAY-buhl-spoonz (/ˈteɪbəlˌspunz/). Tablespoons refers to a unit of volume used in cooking, equal to 1/16 of a cup or 14.786 milliliters. In plural form, it typically denotes multiple spoons or measures, as in recipes calling for several tablespoons. Clear pronunciation and plural harmony are important for precise culinary communication.
Tablespoons refers to a unit of volume used in cooking, equal to 1/16 of a cup or 14.786 milliliters. In plural form, it typically denotes multiple spoons or measures, as in recipes calling for several tablespoons. Clear pronunciation and plural harmony are important for precise culinary communication.
"Add two tablespoons of sugar to the batter."
"The recipe requires four tablespoons of olive oil."
"She measured the ingredients using a set of tablespoons."
Say ta-ble-spoons with primary stress on the second syllable: /ˈteɪ.bəlˌspuːnz/. Start with a clear 'teɪ' as in 'day', then 'bəl' with a schwa-like 'ə' and a light 'l', and finish with 'spoons' /spuːnz/, where the 'sp' cluster is crisp and the 'oo' is long. Quick but precise enunciation helps avoid confusion with 'table' or 'spoon'.
Common errors include: 1) Running 'table' and 'spoons' together too loosely, producing /ˈteɪbəlspuːnz/ instead of the clear /ˈteɪ.bəlˌspuːnz/. 2) Reducing 'bəl' to a weak schwa, which can blur syllable boundaries. 3) Misarticulating the final 'spoons' with a clipped /spuːnz/; ensure the vowel is long and the final 'nz' is crisp. Practice by isolating each part: ta-ble, spoons; then blend with a slight pause.
Across US/UK/AU, the core segments stay /ˈteɪ.bəlˌspuːnz/. The primary difference is rhoticity and vowel quality: US enjoys rhoticity with a clear /r/ in 'table'If you pronounce 'table' as /ˈteɪ.bəl/, the 'l' can feel lighter in US due to flapping; UK and AU often have non-rhotic tendencies in careful speech, but in most modern AU and UK speech the /r/ is not pronounced unless followed by a vowel. The long 'oo' in 'spoons' remains /uː/ in all, though some speakers may have a slightly shorter or tenser quality depending on accent. Overall, the variation is mild; focus on keeping /ˈteɪ.bəl/ and /ˌspuːnz/ clear.
Two main challenges: a) balancing the consonant cluster /sp/ at the boundary between 'table' and 'spoons' without slipping into 'tablename' or 'tablespoon' mispronunciations; b) maintaining the long /uː/ in 'spoons' while linking the syllables for natural fluency. Also, the secondary stress on 'ble' can be subtle, so aim for a light, crisp /ˌspuːnz/ after the /ˈteɪ.bəl/ portion. Practice with deliberate pauses and slow repetition to anchor the rhythm.
A distinctive feature is the three-part syllable rhythm: ta-ble-spoons. The middle syllable carries a lighter, schwa-like vowel and a distinct 'b' onset. The final plural adds a voiced nasal /z/ with the /nz/ blend. Keep the 't' of 'ta' crisp, ensure the middle -ble- has a clear 'l' despite the following 'sp', and end with a controlled /nz/ rather than a clipped 'n'.
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Tablespoon is a compound noun formed from the words 'table' and 'spoon'. The term table likely references the tableware context where spoons are used for serving and measuring. Historically, spoons designated for cooking and serving evolved from early wooden and later metal implements; the adjective 'table' distinguishes a utensil used at the table or in measurement in kitchens as opposed to tablespoons used in other regions or contexts. The modern unit likely consolidates from early English culinary measures, with standardization emerging during the 19th and 20th centuries as households and recipes moved toward consistent metric and imperial measurements. The plural form 'tablespoons' follows standard English pluralization rules by adding -s to the singular 'tablespoon'. First known attestations of 'tablespoon' appear in English cookbooks and inventories from the 18th and 19th centuries, with increasing usage in American and British culinary texts as standardized measurement practices expanded in domestic kitchens and restaurants. Over time, the term became a fixed unit of measure in recipes, typically understood as 1/16 cup or about 14.8 milliliters, with regional variation in the precise metric conversion depending on jurisdiction (US customary vs. metric adoption).
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "tablespoons" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "tablespoons" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "tablespoons"
-oad sounds
-ode sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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