4 syllables: Te, le, pa, thy. Stress on le.
tuh-LEP-uh-thee
/təˈlɛpəθi/
Telepathy is pronounced tuh-LEP-uh-thee (/təˈlɛpəθi/). It has four syllables (Te-le-pa-thy), with the stress on "le". Telepathy is the supposed ability to read another person’s thoughts or communicate mentally without using speech or signals. It involves a transfer of information directly between minds, bypassing ordinary sensory channels. In everyday use, it often implies a fictional or speculative capacity rather than a proven phenomenon.
nounTelepathy is the supposed ability to read another person’s thoughts or communicate mentally without using speech or signals. It involves a transfer of information directly between minds, bypassing ordinary sensory channels. In everyday use, it often implies a fictional or speculative capacity rather than a proven phenomenon.
- Misplacing primary stress: Telepathy typically stresses the second syllable (tə-LEP-ə-thy). If you stress the first or last syllable, it sounds off. Practice: say te-LE-pa-thy slowly, then with natural rhythm, until steady. - Mispronouncing /θ/: Many learners substitute /θ/ with /s/ or /t/. Keep a light, place the tongue behind the upper teeth and blow air through the teeth for /θ/. - Vowel conflicts: The /e/ in 'lep' can become a dull /eɪ/ or /ɛ/ variant depending on language. Use a short, lax middle vowel and avoid diphthongization. - Listen to native samples and mimic the mouth position. - Final /i/: Don’t turn the end into /iː/ or /ɪɡ/; keep a short, crisp /i/ at the end. - Linking in phrases: In natural speech you may link to the next word; keep the /i/ compact to avoid a trailing glide.
How to Pronounce Telepathy
"Scientists debate whether telepathy could ever be proven, but it remains a popular plot device in science fiction."
"She claimed she could sense her friend’s mood through telepathy, even without words."
"The character demonstrated telepathy by quietly predicting the other’s next move."
Pronounce as /tə-LEP-ə-θi/ (US) or /ˌtelɪˈpæθi/ (UK), with stress on the second syllable. Start with a short schwa, then a clear ‘LEP’ with a light ‘t’ onset, followed by a soft ‘-a-thee’ ending. Tip: keep the /θ/ as a light, dental fricative, not a hard ‘t’-like sound. You’ll feel the tongue lightly touching the upper teeth for the /θ/; the lips stay relaxed. Audio resources like Pronounce or dictionary entries can provide native speaker samples.
Common errors include misplacing the stress (saying tele-PA-thy or te-LEP-a-thy), pronouncing /θ/ as /t/ or /s/, and conflating the second syllable with a dull /lə/ instead of /lə-/ as in ‘lep.’ Correction: place primary stress on the second syllable /ˌtɛləˈpæθi/ (UK) or /təˈleɪpəθi/ (adjusted US), ensure the /θ/ remains a voiceless dental fricative, and keep the final /i/ as a short, clipped /i/ rather than a long vowel.
In US English, telepathy typically places primary stress on the second syllable: /təˈlɛpəθi/. In UK English, it’s often /ˌtɛləˈpæθi/ with a slightly shorter first vowel and strong /æ/ in the second syllable. In Australian English, expect /təˈlɛpəθi/ with a more centralized /ə/ and a non-rhotic rhythm in connected speech. Across all, the /θ/ remains a dental fricative, but vowel qualities and syllable timing vary subtly by accent.
The difficulty centers on the midword placement of stress and the voiceless dental fricative /θ/. The /θ/ sound is uncommon in many languages and is easily replaced by /t/ or /f/, and the second syllable requires a crisp, unstressed /ə/ before the final /θi/. Additionally, balancing the /ˈ/ or ˈ/ placement across speakers can shift: some say /təˈlɛpəθi/ while others taper the vowel sounds. IPA reference helps anchor correct articulation.
Telepathy uniquely features the sequence -lep- followed by -a- then -thy, making the second syllable open with /ɛ/ or /æ/ depending on accent, before a soft /θ/ before the final /i/. The dental fricative sits between vowels, requiring precise tongue placement behind the top teeth. Stress usually lands on the second syllable, which distinguishes it from other psycho- or neuro- terms that may carry different stress patterns.
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- US: Rhotic, flatter vowels; keep /ə/ in the first syllable; the /e/ in -lep- tends to be tenser. The final /i/ tends to be shorter. - UK: Slightly more clipped vowels; ensure /θ/ remains dental and voiceless; second syllable often /æ/; slower tempo can help clarity. - AU: Non-rhotic or weak rhotics; more centralized /ə/ vowels; maintain the dental /θ/ and a clean /i/ at the end; reduce vowel length slightly in fluent speech. - Vowel references: US /əˈlɛpəθi/ or /təˈleɪpəθi/ variants; UK /ˌtelɪˈpɑːθi/ or /ˌtɛləˈpæθi/; AU /təˈleɪpəθi/ depending on speaker. practice using IPA as anchor; listen to native samples on Forvo or YouGlish and imitate the mouth posture.
Telepathy derives from the Greek prefix tele- meaning ‘far’ and the root Greek patheia meaning ‘feeling’ or ‘suffering,’ from pathein ‘to feel.’ The term was coined in the early 20th century by psychologist Frederic W. H. Myers, a founder of the Society for Psychical Research, seeking a neutral label for purported direct mental communication. Early usage framed telepathy as a paranormal faculty distinct from ordinary perception, with enthusiasts proposing experimental demonstrations and skeptics demanding replicable evidence. The word gradually embedded itself in popular culture through science fiction and pseudo-scientific discourse, typically associated with extraordinary mental phenomena. Since then, telepathy has become a staple descriptor for both fictional mind-reading abilities and speculative discussions about non-local communication. Its meaning has consistently hovered between a serious scientific inquiry and a fantastical concept, enjoying enduring presence in literature, film, and popular psychology debates about human consciousness and connection.
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Help others use "Telepathy" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "Telepathy" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "Telepathy"
-thy sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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