TRIG-urz
/ˈtɹɪɡɚz/
triggers is pronounced TRIG-urz (/ˈtɹɪɡɚz/). Triggers refers to events, stimuli, or cues that provoke a particular reaction or memory. In everyday use, it can describe something that initiates a process or response, or, in psychology, stimuli that elicit distress or a collocated reaction. The term functions as a plural noun or verb form in English, commonly appearing in discussions of psychology, safety, or cause-and-effect contexts.
Triggers refers to events, stimuli, or cues that provoke a particular reaction or memory. In everyday use, it can describe something that initiates a process or response, or, in psychology, stimuli that elicit distress or a collocated reaction. The term functions as a plural noun or verb form in English, commonly appearing in discussions of psychology, safety, or cause-and-effect contexts.
- You may under-articulate the initial /tr/ cluster when rushing speech; aim for a crisp onset by practicing /t/ with a quick release into /r/ before the /ɪ/. - The second syllable often reduces too much; practice maintaining a light but audible /ə/ to avoid a too-weak /ər/; keep the stress on the first syllable. - Final /z/ can be devoiced in fast speech; ensure voicing is maintained by keeping your vocal fold vibration for /z/ and using a slight increase in airflow at the end.
"The loud crash was enough to trigger her anxiety."
"Certain memories can trigger a emotional response long after the event."
"The policy changes may trigger a cascade of reactions across departments."
Pronounce as two syllables with stress on the first: /ˈtrɪɡərz/. Start with a short, crisp /tr/ cluster, then /ɪ/ (short i), followed by a /ɡ/ and a schwa /ə/ in the second syllable, ending with /z/. In rapid speech, the /ər/ can reduce to a rhotacized schwa, but keep the /z/ clearly voiced. IPA: US /ˈtrɪɡərz/, UK /ˈtrɪɡəz/, AU /ˈtrɪɡəz/.
Common errors: (1) weakening the initial /tr/ cluster, which should be crisp; practice by starting with a brief bite-release before the /r/. (2) Misplacing stress or making the second syllable overly prominent; keep stress on the first syllable. (3) Voicing the final /s/ as /z/ in some dialects; ensure the final is a clear /z/ when plural, but not devoiced in casual speech. Correct by slow practice, then phrase-level drills.
US: clear /ˈtrɪɡərz/, with rhotic /r/ in the second syllable. UK: /ˈtrɪɡəz/, often weaker second-syllable vowel and a less rhotic vibe; final /z/ remains voiced. AU: /ˈtrɪɡəz/, similar to UK but with Australian vowel quality; may have a slightly broader /ɜː/ in some regions, but most say /ɪ/ in the first vowel and /ə/ in the second. In all, the main difference is rhoticity and the quality of the middle vowel.
Two main challenges: the /tr/ onset cluster can be tricky when followed by a fast /ɡ/ and a stressed first syllable; the second syllable /ər/ or /əz/ can reduce differently depending on accent, leading to mispronunciations like /ˈtrɪɡərɹ/ or /ˈtrɪɡɚs/. Focus on keeping a tight lips/teeth contact for /t/ and /r/, then relax into a light, quick /ɡ/ before the schwa; ensure the final /z/ is clearly voiced.
A unique note is the transition from /ɡ/ to /ə/ in the second syllable; you want a short, nearly unstressed /ə/ that slides into /rz/ effectively. In careful speech, avoid inserting extra syllabic vowels between /ɡ/ and /z/; keep /ɡ/ tightly connected to the schwa to prevent a hiatus that listeners may hear as extra syllables.
🗣️ Voice search tip: These questions are optimized for voice search. Try asking your voice assistant any of these questions about "triggers"!
- US: rhotic /r/ in the second syllable; the /ɪ/ in the first vowel tends to be shorter; final /z/ is clear. - UK: /ˈtrɪɡəz/ with a shorter, lighter /ə/ in the second syllable; less pronounced /r/ (non-rhotic in many dialects), but in modern usage some speakers retain /r/. - AU: /ˈtrɪɡəz/ with vowel qualities closer to /ɪ/ and /ə/; can be more relaxed, but maintain voicing of /z/. Use IPA-based cues to adjust vowel length and rhotic presence depending on context.
The word trigger originates from the Old French trigure or trigger, evolving through Medieval Latin and Germanic pathways to the modern sense of a device that fires or initiates an action. In English, trigger historically referred to a lever or mechanism on weapons that released the hammer, symbolically extended to broader causation and initiating events. The earliest English attestations date to early modern usage around the 17th century, particularly in military contexts, where the trigger was literally a lever enabling the firing mechanism. Over time, trigger broadened to describe any catalyst or prompt in diverse domains, including psychology and everyday idiom. The plural form triggers gained traction as the noun used in plural contexts to denote multiple provocations, stimuli, or initiating cues. Its semantic drift from a concrete mechanism to a general cause-and-effect trigger is now well established in contemporary English. Modern usage frequently pairs with adjectives like emotional, stimulus, or systemic, reflecting its versatile role in signaling initiation or provocation.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "triggers" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "triggers" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "triggers" and show contrast in usage.
📚 Vocabulary tip: Learning synonyms and antonyms helps you understand nuanced differences in meaning and improves your word choice in speaking and writing.
Words that rhyme with "triggers"
-ers 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.
