2 syllables: Vin, tage. Stress on Vin.
VIN-tij
/ˈvɪntɪdʒ/
Vintage is pronounced VIN-tij (/ˈvɪntɪdʒ/). It has two syllables (Vin-tage), with the stress on "Vin". Vintage refers to items from a previous era, typically aged and valued for quality or style; it can describe clothing, wine, or anything from an earlier period and still desirable today. In common speech, it also functions as an informal adjective meaning classic or high-quality, sometimes used as a descriptor for fashion or design. The term blends historical sense with a sense of lasting value.
nounVintage refers to items from a previous era, typically aged and valued for quality or style; it can describe clothing, wine, or anything from an earlier period and still desirable today. In common speech, it also functions as an informal adjective meaning classic or high-quality, sometimes used as a descriptor for fashion or design. The term blends historical sense with a sense of lasting value.
- Confusing the second syllable into /tɪd/ with no /ʒ/; fix by ensuring the final is /dʒ/, not /d/. - Over-articulating the final /dʒ/ or making it too voiceless; keep voicing as /dʒ/ per standard English. - Misplacing the stress or making it end-stressed; maintain primary stress on the first syllable: /ˈvɪn.tɪdʒ/. - Tense mouth leading to a clipped finish; relax jaw slightly at the start and mid-to-end to allow the /ɪ/ to stay short but not swallowed. - In connected speech, missing the light schwa in the second syllable; keep /tɪdʒ/ as a quick, compact unit rather than delaying with extra vowels.
"That jacket looks vintage and still stylish after all these years."
"They served a vintage Bordeaux at the tasting event."
"The diner has a vintage 1960s decor that draws in customers."
You pronounce it as /ˈvɪn.tɪdʒ/. The primary stress is on the first syllable VIN, with the second syllable pronounced -tij where the final zhe-like sound is /dʒ/. The mouth starts with a short, lax vowel /ɪ/ in the first syllable, then a quick, reduced /t/ before the /ɪdʒ/ cluster. Practice by saying VIN (lip relaxed, tongue high-mid) then TIDGE quickly in sequence. Listen for the soft /ɪ/ before /dʒ/.
Common errors include treating the second syllable as /tɪd/ without the /ʒ/ sound, producing a hard /t/ + /dʒ/ combo instead of the concise /tɪdʒ/, and misplacing the stress creating a second-syllable emphasis. To correct: emphasize VIN with a crisp /ˈvɪn/ and fuse the last sound into /dʒ/ as /tɪdʒ/ without an extra vowel. Ensure the final /dʒ/ is not devoiced; keep voicing through the end. Another pitfall is elongating the second syllable; keep it short and clipped.
US: /ˈvɪn.tɪdʒ/ with clear /ɪ/ in both syllables and a strong /dʒ/ at the end. UK: similar pattern, but often crisper final /dʒ/ and slightly more rounded /ɪ/ in the first vowel. AU: tends toward a slightly shorter, tenser vowel in the first syllable and a more clipped final /dʒ/. Across all, rhoticity is not a major factor for this word; the main differences lie in vowel quality and the shock-absent or presence of linking vowels when connected to next words. IPA references point to consistent /ˈvɪn.tɪdʒ/ with minor regional vowel shifts.
The challenge lies in the /ɪ/ vowels in both syllables and the final /dʒ/ cluster. The transition from /t/ to /dʒ/ requires precise voicing and timing; avoid inserting an extra vowel before /dʒ/. The final consonant cluster should stay voiced and smooth, not interrupted by a release of air. Also, stress remains on the first syllable, which can be overlooked in rapid speech. Practice is key: rehearse the two-syllable flow; keep the second syllable brief and merge the /t/ and /dʒ/ into a clean /tɪdʒ/ sequence.
The unique aspect is the /dʒ/ sound at the end and its connection to the preceding /t/. Many learners delay the /dʒ/ or replace it with /d/ or /z/. Focus on turning /t/ into a cohesive /tɪdʒ/ without a separate vowel between the /t/ and /dʒ/. A good cue is to say “VIN-tedge” with the final sound as a single unit, keeping the tongue blade close to the palate as you release into /dʒ/. This ensures natural, native-like closure and prevents an abrupt stop.
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- US: Emphasize rhoticity minimally here; the word doesn't contain a rhotic r, but your overall accent should feel natural by keeping /ɪ/ relaxed, lip rounding for /v/ and a smooth /dʒ/ release. The final /dʒ/ should be voiced and felt at the palate with a light vibration. - UK: Slightly crisper vowel qualities; the /ɪ/ in the first syllable is a bit closer to /ɪ/ than /ə/, and the /dʒ/ can be more sharply released. The /t/ should be a rapid, light touch rather than an aspirated release. - AU: Often shorter, tenser vowels; keep a more clipped /ɪ/ and a very clean /dʒ/ release. The sequence /tɪdʒ/ should feel like one smooth unit; maintain relaxed jaw and minimal lip rounding. - IPA references help ensure consistency across dialects: /ˈvɪn.tɪdʒ/ (US/UK/AU).
Vintage comes from the Old French vinage, linked to le vin (wine). The term entered English through wine trade contexts, originally referring to wine of particular age or quality from a specific vintage year. By the 14th–15th centuries, vintals or vintages described the year of production; later, the sense broadened to items valued for age or period style, not just wine. In modern usage, vintage is widely applied to fashion, furniture, and media beyond wine, often signaling retro appeal and quality that endures beyond trend cycles. The word carries connotations of authenticity and craftsmanship, a nod to traditions preserved through time. First known uses in English appear in medieval accounting and inventory records, with the sense of a year or harvest later solidified in general lexicon as trade and consumer culture elevated vintage to a marker of both age and desirability.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Vintage" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "Vintage"
-ent sounds
-int sounds
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