TAH-pik
/ˈtɑpɪk/
topic is pronounced TAH-pik (/ˈtɑpɪk/). Topic refers to the subject or theme under discussion, a focal point around which conversation or writing centers. It denotes a discrete matter or issue chosen for exploration, debate, or study, and is commonly used in academic, professional, and everyday discourse. The term can function in various registers, from formal to casual, depending on context and intent.
Topic refers to the subject or theme under discussion, a focal point around which conversation or writing centers. It denotes a discrete matter or issue chosen for exploration, debate, or study, and is commonly used in academic, professional, and everyday discourse. The term can function in various registers, from formal to casual, depending on context and intent.
"We’ll switch to a new topic after the break."
"Her presentation covered a broad topic in renewable energy."
"The seminar explored the topic of ethics in technology."
Topic is pronounced with the primary stress on the first syllable: /ˈtɒpɪk/ (US/UK/AU). Start with a clear, aspirated /t/ followed by /ɒ/ as in 'hot', then a short /p/ stop, and a quick, unstressed /ɪ/ before the final /k/. Think: TO-pic. For nuanced speech, keep the /ɒ/ rounded and avoid drawing a stronger vowel than /ɒ/. IPA: US /ˈtɒpɪk/, UK /ˈtɒpɪk/, AU /ˈtɒpɪk/.
Common mistakes include misplacing the stress (hesitating on the second syllable) and blending the /t/ and /p/ into a slower burst, which makes it sound like /ˈtoʊpɪk/ or /ˈtɒpɪk/ with an extended vowel. Another frequent error is devoicing or lengthening the final /k/. To correct: keep a crisp initial /t/, a short /ɒ/ as in 'hot', a quick /p/ release, then a short /ɪ/ before the final /k/. Practice with interval taps to maintain even tempo.
Across US/UK/AU, the pronunciation is fairly similar: /ˈtɒpɪk/ with stressed first syllable; rhoticity minimal impact since /ɒ/ is common in British and US. In some US dialects with a more open /ɑ/ or back rounded vowel in the first syllable, you might hear /ˈtɑːpɪk/. In Australian English, vowel quality is closer to /ɒ/ or open back unrounded /ɒ/; rhoticity does not affect this word. Overall, the main contrast is vowel height and duration in the first syllable, not stress or consonant changes.
Topic challenges include producing a clean /t/ onset followed by a short /ɒ/ before a quick /p/ release and then a clipped /ɪ/ in the second syllable. The rapid transition from /p/ to /ɪ/ and the final /k/ can blur in fluent speech. Learners often lengthen the first vowel or insert extra vowels, changing the rhythm. Focus on a crisp /t/ + short /ɒ/ + abrupt /p/ + brief /ɪ/ + final /k/ with steady tempo.
In /ˈtɒpɪk/, the /ɒ/ is a short, rounded open back vowel that remains stable before the voiceless /p/. The /p/ release is abrupt and does not significantly alter the /ɒ/ quality. The transition to /ɪ/ is quick; avoid inserting extra vowels between /p/ and /ɪ/.
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Topic comes from the Late Latin topicus, borrowed from the Greek topos, meaning 'place' or 'locality' and by extension 'subject' or 'matter' of discussion. The Greek topos originally signified a place or position, later giving rise to rhetorical ‘topics’ or commonplaces—standard arguments or themes used in discourse. The Latin form topicus was used in scholastic and rhetorical contexts in the Middle Ages, aligning with the idea of a chosen subject within a debate or treatise. In English, topic appears in print by the 15th–16th centuries, initially in more formal, scholastic contexts, then expanding into everyday usage as a general term for any subject of discussion. Over time, topic also took on modern senses such as a point of discussion in conversation, media, and academic writing, with common collocations like “topic sentence,” “topic area,” and “topic modeling” in contemporary linguistics and data analysis. Etymologically, topic’s core meaning—placing emphasis on a specific place or subject—retains through to today’s linguistic and rhetorical applications, reflecting both geographic/metonymic origin and the evolution of discourse practice.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "topic" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "topic" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "topic"
-pic sounds
-me) sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
🎵 Rhyme tip: Practicing with rhyming words helps you master similar sound patterns and improves your overall pronunciation accuracy.
