WAWL-pay-pur
/ˈwɔˌlpeɪpɚ/
wallpaper is pronounced WAWL-pay-pur (/ˈwɔˌlpeɪpɚ/). Wallpaper refers to decorative paper applied to interior walls to enhance color, pattern, or texture. It can also denote a generic wall covering, often with adhesive backing or pre-pasted surfaces. In usage, it describes both the material itself and the action of covering a wall with such paper, commonly in home décor or interior design contexts.
Wallpaper refers to decorative paper applied to interior walls to enhance color, pattern, or texture. It can also denote a generic wall covering, often with adhesive backing or pre-pasted surfaces. In usage, it describes both the material itself and the action of covering a wall with such paper, commonly in home décor or interior design contexts.
"She chose a floral wallpaper to brighten the living room."
"The rental apartment came with plain walls; they decided to install wallpaper for a more finished look."
"We spent the afternoon wallpapering the hallway after choosing a geometric pattern."
You pronounce it as /ˈwɔlˌpeɪ.pər/ in US English and /ˈwɔːlˌpeɪ.pə/ in UK/AU English. The primary stress falls on the first syllable wall-, with a secondary stress on -peɪ-. Start with a rounded mouth position for /ɔ/ and glide into /l/; the second syllable features a clear /peɪ/ and an unstressed final /pər/ or /pə/. Listen for the light, quick schwa-less ending in American speech or a slightly reduced ending in British and Australian speech. Practicing with the compound helps: WALL-PA-per.
Common errors: 1) Slurring the /l/ with the following vowel, producing /wɔː.pə/ instead of /ˈwɔlˌpeɪ.pər/. 2) Dropping the second syllable or misplacing the secondary stress, saying /ˈwɔlpeɪ/ or /ˈwɔlˌpər/ without the /pər/. 3) Vocalizing the second vowel too long as /wɔlˌpeɪˈpɑr/; keep /peɪ/ as a crisp syllable. Correction: emphasize /l/ clearly after wall, maintain /peɪ/ length, and finish with a short, unobtrusive /pər/ or /pə/. Practice with minimal pairs like wall vs well to keep the /ɔ/ quality precise and ensure the -er ending is light rather than dominant.
In US English, the ending is /pər/ with rhotic /r/, producing /ˈwɔlˌpeɚ/ in rapid speech. UK/AU often reduce the final r to a schwa or non-rhotic ending, sounding /ˈwɔːlˌpeə/ or /ˈwɔːlˌpeə/ with a longer second vowel and a softer, non-rhotic ending. The first syllable remains stressed across varieties. The /ɔ/ in wall is backed, and the /l/ remains clear. Australian English tends toward a more centralized vowel in some speakers but retains rhoticity in most educated speech; expect slight vowel rounding and a clean /pə/ ending. In sum: US rhotics produce /ˈwɔlˌpeɚ/, UK/AU often /ˈwɔːlˌpeə/ with reduced or absent post-vocalic /r/ depending on speaker. IPA guides help anchor the differences.
Two main challenges: the cluster after /l/ in /ˈwɔlˌpeɪ/ requires precise release to avoid blending into /wɔlpeɪ/ and the final /ər/ or /ə/ can be uneven if the tongue relaxes too soon. The secondary stress on the second syllable can be overlooked, causing an unbalanced cadence. Additionally, the /l/ and /p/ sequences demand clear articulation to prevent a mushy transition between syllables. Focus on maintaining a crisp /l/ and a crisp /peɪ/ before a short, relaxed /ər/ (or /ə/ in non-rhotic accents).
A common unique question is whether you pronounce the ‘l’ as light or dark in wall-; you should keep a light, clear /l/ in onset and avoid vocalic intrusion between /l/ and /p/. Also, the word transitions from a syllable ending in a liquid to a voiceless stop; you should ensure the /l/ remains syllabic in your tongue position, with the lips ready to switch from a rounded /ɔ/ to the /p/ release for a precise pause before /ər/.
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Wallpaper originates from the 16th-century English compound wall + paper, with early usage in English to describe a thin sheets of decorative paper used on interior walls. The term 'wallpaper' was attested in the 15th-16th centuries in various forms as textiles and wall coverings evolved from papyrus and parchment traditions in Europe, but intensified in the 18th and 19th centuries as lithography and printmaking allowed mass production of patterned papers. The concept of covering walls with decorative sheets predates modern adhesives; prints and murals were used to create layered interior aesthetics. By the 19th century, wallpaper became standardized with paste-back and later pre-pasted varieties, proliferating patterns, wallpapers engineered for moisture control, washability, and vinyl-based finishes in the 20th century. Its evolution reflects industrial printing advances, global trade in design motifs, and shifting interior design norms from ornate to minimalist styles. First known use in English literature is documented in medieval and early modern manuscripts referencing decorated wall coverings, though the modern term solidified with the rise of mass production and consumer home improvement culture. Today, wallpaper encompasses a wide range of substrates, including vinyl, fabric-backed, and vinyl-coated papers, and remains a staple in interior decoration.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "wallpaper" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "wallpaper" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "wallpaper"
-er? sounds
-per sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
🎵 Rhyme tip: Practicing with rhyming words helps you master similar sound patterns and improves your overall pronunciation accuracy.
