2 syllables: Tu, nic. Stress on Tu.
TOO-nik
/ˈtunɪk/
Tunic is pronounced TOO-nik (/ˈtunɪk/). It has two syllables (Tu-nic), with the stress on "Tu". Tunic is a noun referring to a simple, sleeveless or short-sleeved garment that hangs loosely from the shoulders, typically worn as a basic top or outer tunic in historical or casual fashion. It denotes a loose-fitting upper garment, often gathered at the waist or hip, and is distinguishable by its basic silhouette rather than elaborate tailoring.
nounTunic is a noun referring to a simple, sleeveless or short-sleeved garment that hangs loosely from the shoulders, typically worn as a basic top or outer tunic in historical or casual fashion. It denotes a loose-fitting upper garment, often gathered at the waist or hip, and is distinguishable by its basic silhouette rather than elaborate tailoring.
- You often shorten the first vowel unintentionally; keep it as a clear /uː/ or /u/ sound rather than a quick /ʊ/. - Final /k/ can be devoiced or unreleased; ensure a crisp release and slight puff of air. - The /n/ should be clearly articulated between the vowels and consonants; avoid swallowing it in haste. - In some accents, you may hear a slight schwa in the second syllable; avoid over-reducing 'nɪk' to 'nik' without proper vowel quality.
"The ancient tunic was the everyday attire of many civilizations."
"She wore a lightweight tunic over leggings for a comfortable summer outfit."
"The medieval tunic featured simple seams and a straight cut."
Tunic is pronounced as /ˈtuː.nɪk/ in most varieties of English, with primary stress on the first syllable. The first syllable sounds like 'too' without a strong final y; the second syllable is a short 'nik' with a clear /n/ followed by /ɪ/ and /k/. It can also be heard as /tuːˈnɪk/ in some accents where stress shifts slightly to the second syllable in certain phrases. Practice saying T YOO-nik with a crisp /t/ at the onset and a closed syllable ending.
Common errors include misplacing stress, saying 'TOO-nik' with overlong first vowel in rapid speech, and softening the final /k/ to an unconstrained /t/ or /g/. To correct, ensure true initial /t/ with a crisp release, keep /uː/ as a long vowel in the first syllable (not a short /ʌ/), and finalize with a clear /k/ as in 'kick.' Practice with slow, then normal tempo to lock the tongue movements.
In US, UK, and AU, tunic shares the /ˈtuː.nɪk/ or /ˈtuː.nɪk/ pattern; the main difference is rhotic vs non-rhotic linking and vowel quality. US tends toward a longer /uː/ and slightly sharper /t/, while some UK speakers may reduce the /ː/ slightly and vary the /ɪ/ quality in fast speech. Australian speakers often have a more centralized /ɪ/ and a softer, almost clipped /t/ release. Across all, the first syllable bears primary stress.
The hardest part is producing the long /uː/ vowel in the first syllable while keeping the following /n/ clear, along with a final unaspirated /k/. Some speakers confuse tunic with 'tonic' or 'tunic' misplacing stress as second syllable. Practice by isolating the vowel length and ensuring the /t/ release is audible, then marry it to the light /nɪk/ ending without flapping or devoicing the /k/.
The combination of a long high-front vowel /uː/ followed by a short /nɪk/ cluster makes tunic an excellent exercise for sustaining a tense-lax vowel contrast and clean nasal plus plosive. You’ll want to keep the /uː/ rounded, then sharply release into /n/ and /k/. The challenge is avoiding vowel reduction or blending into 'tonic' in rapid speech.
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- US: Emphasize a strong /uː/ in the first syllable, a clear /n/ and an aspirated or crisp /k/ at the end. - UK: The /uː/ remains long, but you may hear a slightly shorter diphthong quality; keep /nɪk/ crisp and avoid glottalization of /t/. - AU: Slightly more centralized /ɪ/ in the second syllable; maintain the final /k/ with a clean release. Practice with connected speech to avoid elongation of the first syllable when saying phrases like 'a tunic top.' IPA references: /ˈtuː.nɪk/ or /tuˈnɪk/ depending on context.
Tunic comes from the Latin tunica, meaning a long garment worn next to the skin, with roots in ancient dress. The Latin tunica evolved from the Greek temnē, denoting a band or strip, later used for woven cloth garments. In Latin, tunica described a simple, slip-on garment worn by both sexes, often knee-length or shorter. The term entered Old French as tonique or tunique, carrying the sense of a basic garment worn close to the body. From French, tunic spread to English, retaining the notion of a plain, loose-fitting top worn over undergarments or leggings. During the medieval and early modern periods, tunics varied in length and sleeve style across regions, but the core concept remained: a straightforward, unstructured garment easier to sew than tailored robes. In contemporary English, tunic has specialized uses in fashion and costume design, distinguished from more fitted tops by its relaxed cut and often longer length. First known use in English appears in the 15th century texts, with a long history in costume and historical references. The word’s persistence reflects clothing’s evolution toward simple, versatile silhouettes that can layer easily across eras and cultures.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Tunic" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Tunic" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Tunic"
-tic sounds
-nic sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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