TEM-pluhts
/ˈtɛmpləts/
templates is pronounced TEM-pluhts (/ˈtɛmpləts/). Templates is the plural form of template, referring to predefined formats or patterns used as a guide for creating new documents, designs, or structures. It denotes reusable, standardized structures that streamline production and ensure consistency across tasks. In practice, you’ll encounter templates in software, publishing, and system design contexts. The term signals both utility and a framework that can be adapted to specific needs.
Templates is the plural form of template, referring to predefined formats or patterns used as a guide for creating new documents, designs, or structures. It denotes reusable, standardized structures that streamline production and ensure consistency across tasks. In practice, you’ll encounter templates in software, publishing, and system design contexts. The term signals both utility and a framework that can be adapted to specific needs.
- Misplacing primary stress on the second syllable, treating it as TEM-plete-s instead of TEM-plates; fix by emphasizing the first syllable loudly, then a tight, distinctive second syllable. - Slurring the /pleɪ/ into /plɛ/ or /plɪ/; keep the diphthong distinct as /pleɪ/ or /plɪ/ depending on accent. - Dropping the final /t/ before /s/; ensure an audible /t/ release into /s/ for accuracy.
"We downloaded several resume templates to speed up our process."
"The report uses a clean template to present data consistently."
"Content creators rely on templates for quick, branded posts."
Pronounce as /ˈtɛmˌpleɪts/ in US; /ˈtemˌplɪts/ in most UK and AU varieties. The primary stress sits on the first syllable: TEM-plet-s, with a light secondary stress or almost unstressed second syllable depending on pace. The final 'ates' sounds like /eɪts/ in US, /ɪts/ in UK/AU, so focus on the glide in the second syllable to land the /eɪ/ or /ɪ/ correctly. Try saying ‘TEM’ followed by a crisp /pleɪts/ or /plɪts/.”,
Common mistakes: misplacing stress (second syllable stress), pronouncing the second syllable as /platedral/ or losing the /t/ at the end. Also, Americans may turn the second syllable into /plaits/ by misplacing the vowel; keep /pleɪ/ or /plɪ/ depending on accent. Correct by articulating a clear /t/ and ensuring the /eɪ/ is a distinct diphthong rather than a schwa followed by /ts/. Practice with minimal pairs TEM-pleits vs TEM-plits.
US: /ˈtɛmˌpleɪts/ with a clear /eɪ/ in the second syllable and a rhotic, neutral /r/ not present; weak second syllable vowel commonly realized as /ə/ in rapid speech. UK/AU: /ˈtemˌplɪts/ with /ɪ/ or a shorter /ɪ/ in the second syllable; non-rhotic accents can reduce the /r/ and offer a shorter, clipped /ɪ/. The main difference is diphthong quality: /eɪ/ in US blends, /ɪ/ or a shorter /e/ in UK/AU. In all cases, keep the r-less rhythm and ensure final /ts/ is crisp.
Difficult due to the two-syllable rhythm with a high-energy second syllable, plus an ending cluster /ts/ that requires a release into a voiceless alveolar affricate. The alternation between /eɪ/ and /ɪ/ in the second syllable adds a vowel-quality challenge in quick speech. The presence of a final /ts/ cluster can pull the tongue tip to the alveolar ridge abruptly, causing slippage if the timing isn’t precise. Focus on ending with a clean /t/ release into /s/.
A notable feature is the contrast between the stressed first syllable and the higher-energy second syllable that contains a strong vowel (US: /eɪ/; UK/AU: /ɪ/). The word’s final cluster /ts/ demands precise voiceless release; many speakers insert a vowel between /p/ and /l/ if not careful. The word also demonstrates how plural suffixes in English can alter the preceding vowel’s quality in varying accents—practice slow and clear to lock the second syllable’s vowel before the /ts/.
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- US: aim for a strong /eɪ/ in the second syllable, keep rhotic absent; practice with phrases like ‘template file’ to maintain rhythm. Use IPA /ˈtɛmˌpleɪts/. - UK: shorter second-syllable vowel, closer to /ɪ/; final /ts/ should be crisp; IPA /ˈtemˌplɪts/. - AU: similar to UK, with slightly wider mouth opening; maintain non-rhoticity; IPA /ˈtemˌplɪts/.
Template originates from the Middle French templet, diminutive of templet diverted from the Late Latin exemplum ‘example, model’ and Greek templat- from templetum ‘a pattern, form, matrix’, used in English by the 16th–17th centuries, initially meaning ‘a small die or model’. The word evolved to mean a predefined pattern or mold used for making copies. In the printing and publishing worlds, template referred to a guide for consistent layout; with the rise of software, it broadened to digital structures and forms that can be reused in creating documents, web pages, and software artifacts. First known English usage traces to the 16th century in references to ‘templating’ in the sense of forming a pattern, with modern sense solidifying in the 20th century alongside computer science’s template libraries and UI design systems.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "templates" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "templates" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "templates"
-nts sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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