3 syllables: to, ge, ther. Stress on ge.
tuh-GETH-ur
/təˈɡɛðɚ/
together is pronounced tuh-GETH-ur (/təˈɡɛðɚ/). It has three syllables (to-ge-ther), with the stress on "ge". Together is an adverb meaning in proximity or unitedly, often indicating people acting in unison or events occurring concurrently. It emphasizes coordination, proximity, or joint action, and is commonly used in everyday speech to indicate collaboration, simultaneity, or collective movement.
adverbTogether is an adverb meaning in proximity or unitedly, often indicating people acting in unison or events occurring concurrently. It emphasizes coordination, proximity, or joint action, and is commonly used in everyday speech to indicate collaboration, simultaneity, or collective movement.
"Let’s work on this project together and share the workload."
"We stood together during the ceremony, holding hands."
"The team earned the win together after months of practice."
Pronounce it as /təˈɡɛðər/ in US English or /təˈɡɛðə/ in many UK pronunciations. The first syllable is a reduced schwa, the second carries primary stress, and the final syllable reduces to a weak /ər/ or /ə/. In many American varieties you’ll hear a folded /ɡ/ onset to /ɡ/ or /ɡh/ depending on speaker, giving a smooth 'tuh-GETH-er' feel. Practice linking from /tə/ to /ˈɡɛð/ with a quick transition, ending with a soft /ər/.
Common errors include over-pronouncing the ‘t’ or mixing up /ð/ with /d/ in the second syllable, producing /təˈɡedər/. Another mistake is tensing the final /ər/ into a clear /ər/ as in ‘teacher,’ which sounds unnatural in fast speech. Correct by allowing a reduced second vowel and a quick, soft /ð/ in the middle: /təˈɡeðər/; keep the final /ər/ light and unstressed.
In US English, you’ll often hear a stronger rhotics /ɹ/ in the final syllable and a clear /t/ onset for the first syllable. UK English tends to have a shorter, less rhotic final vowel and a lighter /θ/ or /ð/ quality. Australian pronunciation commonly features a centralized /ə/ in the first syllable and a softer /ð/ with less aspiration. IPA references include US /təˈɡɛðər/, UK /təˈɡɛðə/ and AU /təˈɡɛðə/ with minor vowel shifts.
The difficulty comes from coordinating a weak initial vowel (schwa), a voiced interdental fricative /ð/ in the stressed syllable, and a final rhotic or reduced vowel in a single, quick sequence. The adjacent consonants create a subtle vowel shift and the /t/ and /ð/ must be articulated with minimal separation for natural rhythm. Practicing the transition from /tə/ to /ˈɡeð/ in a smooth, continuous motion helps.
A key feature is the interdental /ð/ in the stressed syllable and the need to compress the duration of the three-syllable sequence into a near-tap-like flow in fast speech. The second syllable carries the main vowel quality /ɛ/ (or /eɪ/ in some accents), and the final syllable reduces to a soft /ər/ in many dialects. IPA guidance helps you map the exact tongue position for the interdental fricative and the rhotic ending.
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US: Slight rhotics, clearer /ɹ/ in end; UK: Less rhotic, final vowel reduced; AU: Varied, often a centralized /ə/ in first syllable. • Vowel shifts: US often maintains /ɛ/ in stressed /ˈɡɛð/; UK may lean toward /e/ or /eɪ/ depending on region. • Consonants: Interdental /ð/ is consistent across accents but may be produced with more dental friction in the UK; AU can be softer, less precise. • Stress re-iteration: In all, center on the second syllable for emphasis, with fast speech leaning toward linking the /t/ into /ð/. IPA references: US /təˈɡɛðər/, UK /təˈɡeðə/ (varies by dialect), AU /təˈɡɛðə/.
Together comes from the Old English word to gether, a compound rooted in the combination of two Old English words: to and gegaderian, with gegaderian meaning “to gather.” The sense evolved from the idea of “to bring together” to the broad meaning of “in unison or in close proximity.” By the Middle English period, together was used to express unity and simultaneity, often in phrases such as ‘gathered together’ or ‘taken together.’ The modern form consolidated into a single adverb, maintaining the core sense of joint action or common occurrence. The word has Germanic origins, sharing cognates with related terms in Dutch, German, and the Scandinavian languages that convey gathering or assembly. Over time, usage broadened from physical proximity to abstract coordination (ideas, efforts, or outcomes that occur in concert). First known written uses appear in Middle English texts, with the general sense of unity persisting into contemporary usage in both spoken and written English.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "together" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "together" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "together"
-her sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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