TAW-list
/ˈtɔlɪst/
tallest is pronounced TAW-list (/ˈtɔlɪst/). Tallest is the superlative form of tall, used to describe the greatest height in a group or set. It denotes a maximum in a comparative scale and is commonly applied to people, structures, or objects. Pronounced with a clear /ˈtɔː.lɪst/ (US: /ˈtɑː.lɪst/), the stress falls on the first syllable, and the final syllable features a light, unstressed /-əst/ sequence. In context, it signals extremity in height rather than mere tallness.
Tallest is the superlative form of tall, used to describe the greatest height in a group or set. It denotes a maximum in a comparative scale and is commonly applied to people, structures, or objects. Pronounced with a clear /ˈtɔː.lɪst/ (US: /ˈtɑː.lɪst/), the stress falls on the first syllable, and the final syllable features a light, unstressed /-əst/ sequence. In context, it signals extremity in height rather than mere tallness.
"The tallest building in the city rises above all others."
"Among the contestants, she was the tallest by several inches."
"That tree is the tallest I've ever seen in this forest."
Pronounce it with primary stress on the first syllable: /ˈtɔː.lɪst/ in US English and /ˈtɒl.ɪst/ in UK English; Australian commonly /ˈtɔː.lɪst/. The first vowel is a long open back unrounded vowel in many dialects; the second syllable is unstressed and reduced to /ɪ/ before /st/. Tip: ensure the t is released promptly and the l is light but clear after the initial vowel.
Two common errors: (a) Under-pronouncing the /t/ at the end, making it sound like /-lis/ rather than /-lɪst/. (b) Overpronouncing the second syllable as /tall-ess/ with a hard e; instead keep a weak /ɪ/ in the second syllable. Focus on a crisp /t/ release and a short, lax /ɪ/ before /st/.
US tends to the /ˈtɔː.lɪst/ with slightly longer first vowel in many regions; UK often /ˈtɒl.ɪst/ with shorter, clipped first vowel; AU generally /ˈtɔː.lɪst/ similar to US but with Australian vowel qualities and flapped or tapped /r/ not involved here. In all, the final /st/ cluster remains stable, but vowel length and quality shift with rhoticity and vowel height.
The difficulty lies in the final cluster /st/ following a stressed syllable and the quick switch from a longer vowel in the first syllable to a short, lax vowel in the second. This requires precise timing and tongue positioning: high front tongue for /t/ release, light /l/ with a brief, reduced /ɪ/ before /st/. Mastery comes from practicing the transition between tenseness in /ɔː/ or /ɒ/ and the clipped second syllable.
Focus on the stress placement and the light, quick second syllable: /ˈtɔː.lɪst/. The unique feature is the short schwa-like or lax /ɪ/ in the second syllable after a strong first syllable, followed by the /st/ cluster. Ensure the tongue lowers slightly for the /ɪ/ and the tongue tip lightly taps for the /t/ release before the /s/.
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US/UK/AU differences: - US: /ˈtɔː.lɪst/ with rhotic? not relevant here; vowels tend to a broader /ɔː/ or /ɒ/ depending on region; - UK: /ˈtɒl.ɪst/ with shorter, clipped first vowel and non-rhoticity, may reduce the /r/ influence in adjacent words; - AU: /ˈtɔː.lɪst/ with vowel quality akin to US but faster tempo and broader vowel in some regions. For all, keep the final /st/ crisp; ensure briefer /ɪ/ before /st/ in connected speech.
Tallest derives from tall, with the suffix -est forming the superlative. Tall originates from Old English tall, related to Middle Low German tall and Old Norse þalli, with cognates in several Germanic languages emphasizing height or bulk. The suffix -est to indicate the superlative dates to Old English and Middle English usage, adapted in Modern English to form the standard superlative for short adjectives. The word evolved from referring to physical height to metaphorical height in achievement and status over time. First known use as a superlative adjective appears in the late medieval period, aligning with other irregular forms in English. Today, tallest is almost exclusively used for height comparisons within a defined group, rather than universal superlatives. Its pronunciation has stabilized around initial strong stress on the first syllable, with a reduced final syllable.
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Words that rhyme with "tallest"
-est sounds
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