One syllable: Tine.
teyen
/taɪn/
Tine is pronounced teyen (/taɪn/). It has one syllable (Tine), with the stress on "Tine". Tine is a rarely-used adjective meaning sharp or pointed in form, often describing a slender projection or blade. It conveys a sense of precision and fine edge rather than broadness. In specialized contexts it can imply rigidity or exactness, akin to something 'tined' or with tines. Typical usage is technical or archaic, adding a precise, almost laser-like nuance to description.
adjectiveTine is a rarely-used adjective meaning sharp or pointed in form, often describing a slender projection or blade. It conveys a sense of precision and fine edge rather than broadness. In specialized contexts it can imply rigidity or exactness, akin to something 'tined' or with tines. Typical usage is technical or archaic, adding a precise, almost laser-like nuance to description.
How to Pronounce Tine
"The tine of the archaic spear glinted under the noon sun."
"They filed the tine to a sharper point for the assay."
"Her critique was tined and exact, cutting to the core of the proposal."
Pronounce it as /taɪn/. The vowel is the long I from 'high', starting with a palatal glide, and ends with a clear alveolar nasal /n/. Place your tongue high and close to the roof of the mouth for the /aɪ/ diphthong, then finish with a light, quick /n/. Stress is on the single syllable.
Common errors include turning /aɪ/ into a shorter /ɪ/ or schwa, producing a clipped /taɪn/ without a noticeable glide, and adding an extra consonant at the end (like /tɪn/ or /taɪnz/). Focus on preserving the diphthong /aɪ/ and closing with a crisp /n/. Practice by starting with /aɪ/ in isolation, then add /n/ with a light nasal release.
In US/UK/AU, the pronunciation remains /taɪn/ with little vowel variation; the key differences are in rhythm and articulation. US speakers tend to have a slightly tenser vowel and quicker pace; UK speakers may show subtle vowel length differences. Australian pronunciation is typically similar but with a more centralized vowel quality in some speakers. The final /n/ is alveolar and consistent across dialects.
The challenge is maintaining a precise /aɪ/ diphthong without reducing to /ɪ/ or /i/. Many learners compress the glide, producing a shorter vowel, or overemphasize the /n/ with a nasal stop preceding it. Achieve clarity by practicing the glide from /a/ to /ɪ/ in one smooth motion and releasing into a clean /n/ with minimal voicing bleed.
A unique angle is ensuring the mouth posture stays compact for a clean /aɪ/ without resorting to a monophthong. Keep the jaw relatively closed, lips neutral, and tip of the tongue near the alveolar ridge for the onset, then glide toward a higher tongue position for the /ɪ/ portion, finishing with a crisp /n/. This yields a sharp, pointed sound appropriate to its meaning.
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Tine originates from Old English tine, related to German Zinne (promontory, point) and Dutch tijn, all connected to the idea of a pointed edge or prong. The term appears in heraldic and alchemical lexicons in the medieval period, where precise, point-like descriptors were common. In Modern English, tine is primarily used as a noun (the prong of a fork) and as an adjective in technical or archaic registers to describe something narrow or pointed. Its semantic shift toward a pointed, narrowing characteristic echoes other Germanic roots that emphasize projection and tip. First attested forms appear in late Old English, with gradual narrowing in meaning toward a slender, spear-like or prong-related sense by the 14th century. In specialized texts (fencing, cutlery, and metallurgical tool descriptions) tine syntax reinforced a precise, linear edge, solidifying its place in technical diction.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "Tine" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "Tine" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Tine" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Tine"
-ine sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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