2 syllables: Ta, vern. Stress on Ta.
TAV-urn
/ˈtævɚn/
Tavern is pronounced TAV-urn (/ˈtævɚn/). It has two syllables (Ta-vern), with the stress on "Ta". A tavern is a small, informal public house where people gather to drink, eat, and socialize. Traditionally licensed to serve alcohol, taverns often offer a casual atmosphere and simple meals. The term can also refer to historic inns or pubs in literature and film. Usage emphasizes everyday, social, non-formal settings rather than upscale dining.
nounA tavern is a small, informal public house where people gather to drink, eat, and socialize. Traditionally licensed to serve alcohol, taverns often offer a casual atmosphere and simple meals. The term can also refer to historic inns or pubs in literature and film. Usage emphasizes everyday, social, non-formal settings rather than upscale dining.
- You might over-enunciate the second syllable, saying tav-ern as two clear syllables; instead aim for a lighter /ərn/ or /ən/ ending. - Another frequent error is prolonging the first vowel too long, turning /ˈtæv/ into /ˈteɪv/. - Some learners directly imitate American /ˈtævɚn/ without accounting for non-rhotic accents; in UK/AU, you may drop the rhotic /ɹ/ and reduce the second syllable. Correction tips: practice with a mirror and mouth-position cues; keep the first vowel short, use a soft, quick second syllable, and finish with a crisp /n/.
How to Pronounce Tavern
"We met at the local tavern after work to unwind."
"The old tavern had a rustic charm and creaky floorboards."
"During the festival, several taverns offered seasonal ales."
Pronounce as /ˈtævərn/ (US) or /ˈtævən/ (UK/AU). The first syllable carries primary stress. Start with a short ‘a’ as in cat, then a schwa or light 'ə' in the second syllable before the final 'n'. Tip: keep the r-light in non-rhotic accents; the r is subtle or omitted in UK/AU variants. Listen for the short vowel in the first syllable and a quick, relaxed second syllable.
Common errors include over-pronouncing the second syllable or turning it into a full clear ‘ern’ as in ‘learn’. Another mistake is replacing the vowel in the first syllable with a longer /æ/ or a diphthong like /eɪ/. Correction: keep /æ/ in the first syllable and use a short, unstressed /ə/ or /ə/ in the second; finish with a light nasal /n/. Practice with minimal pairs like tavern vs. taverne and record yourself to compare.
US tends to lightly rhoticize the second syllable with a clear /ər/ in some speakers, producing /ˈtævərn/. UK and AU often reduce the second syllable to /ən/ or /n/ with non-rhotic r; thus /ˈtævən/ or /ˈtævən/. The main difference is rhoticity and vowel quality: US may show a more distinct /ər/; UK/AU favor a schwa-like /ə/ and a shorter ending nasal. Watch vowel length and mouth shape through the first two syllables.
The challenge lies in the quick reduction from /ˈtæv/ to the second syllable with a reduced vowel; many speakers blend /ə/ or /ɚ/ too strongly, making it sound like /ˈtævərn/ or /ˈtævarn/. Also, the final /rn/ cluster can be tricky if you’re not finishing with a brief nasal; keep the tongue near the alveolar ridge without adding extra syllables. Practice by isolating the first syllable, then gliding into a light, clipped second syllable.
There’s no silent letter in tavern, but the second syllable often receives reduced vowel sound and weaker stress. The primary stress sits on the first syllable: /ˈtæv-ərn/. The tricky part is maintaining a crisp alveolar nasal /n/ at the end while the preceding vowel is reduced. Emphasize the /æ/ in the first syllable, then relax into /ər/ or /ə/ before the final /n/.
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- US: keep the second syllable with a released, mid-schwa /ə/ and a lightly pronounced /r/ only if the speaker is rhotic; IPA /ˈtævərn/. - UK: non-rhotic; reduce the second syllable to /ən/ or /ən̩/, final /n/ crisp; IPA /ˈtævən/. - AU: often non-rhotic with similar reduction to /ˈtævən/; ensure the first syllable has the short /æ/ and retain a soft final /n/. - Vowel focus: maintain /æ/ in the first syllable, avoid /eɪ/ or /e/; keep the second syllable relaxed and quick. - Practice with IPA references: /ˈtæv-ərn/, /ˈtæv-ən/.
Tavern derives from Old French tavern, ultimately from Late Latin taberna, meaning a shed, shop, or stall, and traditionally used for a workshop or a shop with a covered place. The root taberna is linked to Greek tabernon via Latin, denoting a shed or hut. In medieval Europe, taverns emerged as communal drinking houses adjacent to markets or inns, serving travelers and locals. The word evolved in English by the 13th century to denote a licensed house offering drink and light fare; by the 17th century, tavern culture broadened to include social gathering spots beyond inns. The semantic shift also included informal drinking establishments separate from formal inns or public houses in some regions, though in many dialects “tavern” remains a traditional term with historical weight tied to hospitality and communal spaces.
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Help others use "Tavern" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "Tavern" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Tavern" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Tavern"
-den sounds
-ven sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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