2 syllables: Vi, gnette. Stress on gnette.
vin-YET
/vɪˈnjɛt/
Vignette is pronounced vin-YET (/vɪˈnjɛt/). It has two syllables (Vi-gnette), with the stress on "gnette". As a noun, a short descriptive scene or sketch, often used to illustrate a mood or moment. In literature or film, a vignette captures a brief, vivid snapshot—rather than a full narrative—focusing on character, setting, and atmosphere. It can also refer to decorative designs on edges or borders, especially in publishing or photography contexts.
nounA short descriptive scene or sketch, often used to illustrate a mood or moment. In literature or film, a vignette captures a brief, vivid snapshot—rather than a full narrative—focusing on character, setting, and atmosphere. It can also refer to decorative designs on edges or borders, especially in publishing or photography contexts.
How to Pronounce Vignette
"The short film included a poignant vignette about a street musician."
"Her memoir opens with a vignette that captures a rainy afternoon in the city."
"The photographer added a vignette effect to draw the viewer’s eye toward the subject."
US/UK/AU pronunciation centers on vi-NET with the primary stress on the second syllable. IPA: US /vɪˈnɛt/; UK /vɪˈnɛt/; AU /vɪˈnɛt/. The initial consonant cluster is a plain /v/, followed by a short short 'i' like in kit, then the stressed /ˈnɛt/ as in net. The final -ette is pronounced with a short /ɛ/ followed by /t/. Imagine saying “vi-NET.” For careful listeners, ensure the vowel in the second syllable is lax and not elongated. Audio reference: consult standard dictionaries with pronunciation audio (e.g., Cambridge/Oxford) for the canonical /vɪˈnɛt/.
Common errors include misplacing the stress (saying vi-NE-T instead of vi-NET) and mispronouncing the middle vowel, turning /ɛ/ into /eɪ/ or /i/ (like /viˈneɪt/ or /viˈnit/). Another pitfall is pronouncing the final -ette as /ɛt/ but muting the /n/ or making the /ɪ/ too long. To correct: keep stress on the second syllable, use a short open-mid front vowel /ɛ/ in the second syllable, and clearly articulate /n/ before /ɛ/ and final /t/.
In US, UK, and AU, the primary stress remains on the second syllable /viˈnɛt/. Differences are subtle: rhoticity does not affect this word; all three accents maintain /v/ then /ɪ/ (short i) in the first syllable. The second vowel /ɛ/ is broadly similar, though some speakers, especially in fast speech, may reduce /ɪ/ and slightly shorten the first vowel. Overall, the word remains non-rhotic in IPA, with /vɪˈnɛt/ across US/UK/AU in careful speech.
Key challenges: the short, lax vowel /ɪ/ in the first syllable and the stressed /nɛ/ combination can blur in fast speech; misplacing stress leads to vi-NET or vi-NÈt; the final /t/ can be unreleased in American casual speech, muting the consonant. Also, the unusual -ette ending sometimes tempts a /ɪt/ or /ɛt/ mispronunciation. Focus on a crisp two-syllable rhythm with steady /n/ + /ɛ/ + /t/, and keep the second syllable clearly stressed.
A distinctive aspect across dialects is the subtle quality of the /ɛ/ vowel in /nɛt/. In some speakers, especially older or more conservative pronouncers, the vowel may shift toward /e/ or become more centralized under rapid speech. Practicing the /n/ + /ɛ/ cluster with a crisp /t/ helps maintain accuracy. Remember to keep the mouth slightly close, with the tongue tip near the alveolar ridge for a clean /n/ before the monophthong /ɛ/.
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US: emphasize rhotic clarity on initial /v/ and use a crisp /n/ before /ɛ/. UK: similar, but you may notice slightly more rounded lips on /ɪ/ in initial syllable; AU: similarly crisp, with slightly more relaxed jaw in casual speech. IPA references remain /vɪˈnɛt/ across accents. Vowel length remains short in all. Note: keep the /ˈnɛt/ stressed, not the first syllable; avoid extra vowel extension in the second syllable.
Vignette comes from the French word vignette, meaning “little vine” or “ornamental border” or “small vignette” and from the diminutive suffix -ette. The French term originally referred to small decorative designs or borders on manuscripts, often including vines or floral motifs. In English, the sense broadened to denote a short, evocative scene or sketch within a larger work, such as a story, memoir, or film. The word began appearing in English in the 19th century, borrowing directly from French usage, which in turn traces to Latin root vinnus ‘vine’ in the sense of an ornamental vignette bordering text. Over time, the term migrated from decorative illustration to literary micro-sketch, preserving the idea of a concise, vivid snapshot. First known use in English literature dates to the early to mid-1800s, where editors and illustrators used vignette to describe a short illustrative piece that complemented, but did not drive, the main narrative. Modern usage remains faithful to this sense, while the decorative meaning persists in design and publishing circles.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Vignette" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Vignette" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Vignette"
-net sounds
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