2 syllables: Ve, ra. Stress on Ve.
VER-uh
/ˈvɛɹə/
Vera is pronounced VER-uh (/ˈvɛɹə/). It has two syllables (Ve-ra), with the stress on "Ve". Vera is a female given name and a Latin-derived term meaning “true.” In general usage, it refers to a person named Vera or to the concept of truth in certain contexts. As a proper noun, it is pronounced as a two-syllable name with emphasis on the first syllable.
nounVera is a female given name and a Latin-derived term meaning “true.” In general usage, it refers to a person named Vera or to the concept of truth in certain contexts. As a proper noun, it is pronounced as a two-syllable name with emphasis on the first syllable.
- You might over-lengthen the second syllable, saying VER-a instead of VE-ra. Keep the second syllable light and quick. - Some speakers drop the long first vowel to a shorter /ɪ/ or /ɛ/; rehearse with the long /iː/ to preserve clarity. - Expect mild vowel centralization in rapid speech; slow down intentionally to maintain /ˈviːrə/ rather than /ˈvɪrə/ or /ˈvɛrə/. - Pausing between syllables is natural but avoid a hard pause; aim for a smooth, two-beat name.
How to Pronounce Vera
"I’ll introduce you to Vera, my colleague from the design team."
"Vera argued convincingly that the data supported her conclusion."
"We visited Vera’s house after the meeting."
Say VEH-rah, with the primary stress on the first syllable. In IPA for US/UK/AU, it is /ˈviːrə/. The first vowel is a long 'ee' sound, followed by a schwa or short 'uh' in the second syllable. You’ll feel your tongue high for the first vowel and then relax into a mid-central vowel. If you’re listening to audio, match the 'veer' portion and finish with a light, quick second syllable.
Common mistakes include flattening the first vowel to a short /ɪ/ or /ɛ/ and over-emphasizing the second syllable, saying VER-uh with a reduced second vowel. Correct by maintaining a clear long /iː/ in the first syllable, then a relaxed /rə/ with a short schwa or /ɜə/ depending on accent. Practice with minimal pairs like /ˈviːrə/ vs /ˈvɜːrə/ to feel the contrast.
In US/UK/AU, Vera remains two syllables with primary stress on the first. US and UK typically favor /ˈviːrə/ with a clear long /iː/ and a mid-to-back /rə/; Australian English often maintains /ˈviːrə/ but can show a slightly more centralized or schwa-like second vowel depending on speaker. Rhoticity plays little role here since the name is non-lexical, but subtle vowel quality shifts may occur: US tends toward a more pronounced /iː/ and a neutral /ə/ in the second syllable.
Difficulties come from balancing the long first vowel with a quick, unstressed second syllable and avoiding consonant clusters that might drift into /ˈviːrə/ or /ˈvɛrə/ depending on pressure. Some speakers may reduce /iː/ to /ɪ/ in casual speech, or push the second syllable into a clearer /rə/ rather than a weak schwa. Focus on keeping a crisp /iː/ then relax into a light /rə/ to maintain the target rhythm.
Vera combines a long, tense first vowel with a short, relaxed second syllable, and the name’s vowel quality can carry regional tinting (e.g., more pure /iː/ in some dialects, or a near-schwa in others). It also benefits from a consistent two-syllable rhythm that can be affected by connected speech or preceding consonants. Being aware of these subtle shifts helps you deliver Vera naturally across contexts.
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- US: Favor a clear /ˈviːrə/ with a slightly rounded /iː/; keep /r/ light and the second syllable unstressed. - UK: Similar pattern, but the /iː/ may sound slightly shorter in rapid speech; ensure non-rhotic influence doesn’t soften the first vowel. - AU: Occasional vowel shift toward a slightly higher or more centralized /iː/; typical two-syllable rhythm remains, with a relaxed /ə/ or /ɜː/ in the second vowel when casual. - All: Maintain first-syllable emphasis; practice with minimal pairs to feel the difference between /iː/ and /ɪ/ and between /rə/ and /rə/ variants.
Vera is a feminine given name with Latin origins. It derives from the Latin verus, meaning true, real, or genuine, which is cognate with the Old French verta or vera in some historical spellings. The name appeared in Latin and Roman contexts to denote truth and sincerity, and it gained popularity in various European languages due to saints’ names and Christian naming traditions. The transition into modern use as Vera occurs in many languages as a straightforward feminine form of words related to truth, often adopted in the 18th and 19th centuries as a stand-alone given name. In English-speaking regions, Vera spread through literature and social use, sometimes conflating with phonetic variants like Véronique or Veronica in broader naming trends, but it primarily endured as a concise, elegant name. First known uses appear in Latin texts referring to truth, then in Christian-era naming patterns, before becoming widely used as a given name in the 19th and 20th centuries across Europe and North America.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "Vera" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "Vera" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Vera" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Vera"
-era sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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