truhs-TEEZ
/ˌtɹʌˈstiz/
trustees is pronounced truhs-TEEZ (/ˌtɹʌˈstiz/). Trustees refers to individuals or a group entrusted with managing property or assets on behalf of others, typically under a legal agreement. In plural form, it denotes multiple such individuals, often serving on a board or committee. The term emphasizes fiduciary responsibility and governance, rather than mere ownership. It is commonly used in legal, financial, and organizational contexts.
Trustees refers to individuals or a group entrusted with managing property or assets on behalf of others, typically under a legal agreement. In plural form, it denotes multiple such individuals, often serving on a board or committee. The term emphasizes fiduciary responsibility and governance, rather than mere ownership. It is commonly used in legal, financial, and organizational contexts.
"The trustees meet quarterly to review the charity’s finances."
"Two new trustees joined the board to strengthen governance."
"A committee of trustees oversees the university endowment."
Pronounce as /trʌsˈtiːz/. The initial sound is /tr/ with a short /ʌ/ vowel (as in 'strut'). The stress falls on the second syllable: /ˈtiːz/ sounds like 'tees' but is part of the longer word. End with /z/. Lip rounding is minimal, tongue blade moves to the alveolar ridge for /t/ and /s/ blends, then a long /iː/ and final /z/. Think 'truss-tees' with emphasis on the 'tees'.
Common errors include misplacing stress (saying /trʌsˈtiz/ or /ˈtrʌstiz/ with incorrect emphasis), and turning the /tiː/ into a short /tɪ/ or a dull /ti/ before the /z/. Some speakers insert an extra syllable or merge to /trʌsˈtiːz/ without proper glide. To correct: keep the primary stress on the second syllable, ensure a clear /t/ before the /iː/, and release into a long /iː/ followed by /z/, not a short /ɪ/ or /s/. Practice with minimal pairs like 'trustees' vs 'trusties' to reinforce the long vowel.
In US/UK/AU, the core /trʌs/ onset is consistent, with the difference mainly in rhoticity and vowel quality. The /tr/ cluster remains, but some speakers may shorten the /ɜː/ or blend vowels in rapid speech. The second syllable uses a long /iː/; in non-rhotic accents, the final /z/ can be lightly released. In American accent, you’ll hear a taut /ˈtiːz/; in UK non-rhotic, the /r/ is absent, but not in this word. In Australian English, vowel length is similar to US, with slight Australian vowel quality shifting; keep the /iː/ clear and the final /z/ voiced.
The difficulty lies in coordinating the /t/ and /r/ clusters at the start and the long /iː/ vowel in the second syllable, followed by /z/. The sequence /sˈtiː/ requires a precise tongue blade moving to the alveolar ridge for /t/ and then lifting to sustain /iː/. For non-native speakers, the risk is turning /tiː/ into /tɪ/ or misplacing stress on the first syllable. Practicing the two syllables separately then together helps stabilize timing and reduces slippage.
Yes, the primary challenge is the secondary stress pattern on the two-syllable word with a long vowel in the second syllable. The /tiː/ nucleus must be held long enough before a voiced final /z/. The sequence can feel slippery if you rush; a slight pause or slower tempo before the second syllable anchors the rhythm. Also the final /z/ should be clearly voiced without devoicing, ensuring your voice stays on the /z/ rather than trailing into an /s/.
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The word trustees comes from the noun trustee, which derives from Old French trustee ‘one who holds in trust,’ from trust (noun) ‘fidelity, confidence, reliance’ + -ee. In English, trustee emerged in the 13th–14th centuries, originally denoting a person who holds property for another under a trust. The plural trustees appeared to refer to multiple holders serving jointly. The semantic focus shifted from simply holding property to a formal fiduciary duty—administering assets, funds, or affairs for beneficiaries. Over time, trustees gained a specialized legal sense in trust law, charitable governance, and corporate boards. The word has maintained a consistent core of fiduciary responsibility while expanding into institutional contexts such as universities, charities, and investment trusts. First known uses appear in medieval legal documents and charitable endowment records, with later widespread adoption in corporate and nonprofit governance in the modern era.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "trustees" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "trustees"
-ies sounds
-me) sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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