5 syllables: Un, cat, e, go, rize. Stress on cat.
uhn-KAT-uh-guh-reyez
/ənˈkætəɡəˌraɪz/
Uncategorize is pronounced uhn-KAT-uh-guh-reyez (/ənˈkætəɡəˌraɪz/). It has five syllables (Un-cat-e-go-rize), with the stress on "cat". Uncategorize is a verb meaning to remove something from a categorized or classified system, effectively reversing the act of categorizing. It implies restoring items to an ungrouped or uncategorized state, often in data organization, library systems, or organizational workflows. The term is used in technical, data-management, and information-retrieval contexts to indicate a reversal of prior categorization decisions.
verbUncategorize is a verb meaning to remove something from a categorized or classified system, effectively reversing the act of categorizing. It implies restoring items to an ungrouped or uncategorized state, often in data organization, library systems, or organizational workflows. The term is used in technical, data-management, and information-retrieval contexts to indicate a reversal of prior categorization decisions.
"After the audit, we decided to un categorize several entries that were incorrectly grouped."
"The system allows you to un categorize records without losing any metadata."
"If the project scope changes, you may need to un categorize tasks and reassess their tags."
Pronounced as /ˌənˈkætəɡəˌraɪz/ in US and UK English, with the primary stress on the second syllable: un-KAT-uh-guh-RAIZE. Break it into syllables: un - cat - e - go - rize. The first prefix un- is unstressed; the main stress falls on the 'cat' and the final 'raize' carries the secondary emphasis. Tip: ensure the -cate- sounds are quick and the -gə- is a light, unstressed schwa before the final -raize.
Common errors include flattening the second syllable and saying 'un-cat-e-go-rize' with equal stress, or turning 'raize' into a simple 'rise' without the extra syllable. Another frequent slip is merging syllables too quickly, producing 'uncat-uh-garize' or dropping the schwa in -e- and producing /ˌənˈkætəˌɡeɪz/ instead of /ˌənˈkætəɡəˌraɪz/. Correction: maintain clear syllable boundaries, keep the schwa in -ə- where applicable, and emphasize the final -raize with a longer vowel sound.
US, UK, and AU broadly share /ˌənˈkætəɡəˌraɪz/, but differences appear in vowel quality. US vowels tend to be rhotic with a clearer 'ɚ' or reduced r-coloring in some contexts; UK may use a slightly crisper 'ɒ' in the first syllable and weaker rhoticity in rapid speech; Australian often has a flatter vowel system with less pronounced r-coloring and a more centralized finishing vowel. In all, stress placement remains on 'cat' and 'rise' carries the final dynamic.
The difficulty mainly lies in the multi-syllabic structure and the final -ize producing a strong /aɪz/ diphthong after a weak -ə- vowel in the middle. The consonant cluster -tɡ- requires careful articulation to avoid confusion with -dʒ- or -ɡn- sequences. Practicing the sequence un-cat-e-go-rize helps stabilize the rhythm, while maintaining a distinct medial schwa. Clear articulation of the 'r' in 'raize' is also crucial for naturalness in non-rhotic accents.
Yes. The verb ends with -ize, which creates a final stressed syllable that is not always prominent in compound or derived forms. Unlike simple verbs ending in -ize, un categor ize utilizes an extra syllable boundary in -cate- and an intrusive schwa in the middle, so you’ll hear the full four-to-five-syllable cadence: un-KAT-uh-geh-RAIZE if spoken quickly. Focus on keeping the final -raize distinct from preceding softer vowels.
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US: rhotic /r/ in -raize; UK: non-rhotic or weak postvocalic /r/; AU: variable rhotics, often softer; Vowels: /æ/ as in 'cat' may be fronter; /ə/ is a quick schwa in -e-; final /aɪz/ is a rounded, tight diphthong. Use IPA as anchor and record yourself in each accent to compare. Practice slow to fast, ensuring uniform rhythm and clear coda consonants.
Uncategorize is formed by the prefix un- (a negation or reversal) attached to categorize, which itself comes from the French categoriser via Late Latin categorisare, from Greek katēgoria meaning ‘a class or division’. The root word categorize has been in English since the 17th century in logic and library science to denote organizing items into classes. The un- prefix adds a sense of reversal or removal, first attested in English as a general negator in the 14th century and later used productively with numerous verbs (un- + verb) to indicate undoing or reversing the action. In modern information-management discourse, uncategorize has gained currency as a specialized verb meaning to strip away a prior classification, often in data tagging, taxonomy editing, or content management workflows. The first known uses are in technical writing and database governance discussions where reversals of taxonomic actions were necessary to correct or refine category schemes. In contemporary usage, uncategorize appears primarily in tech, data science, and archival contexts, reflecting the growing importance of flexible, reusable taxonomies and the need to revert items to a raw or unclassified state for reorganization.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Uncategorize" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Uncategorize" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Uncategorize"
-ize sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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