Learn How to Pronounce great
Not sure how to say a word? Try the Promova pronunciation tool for free and learn how to pronounce anything in English correctly. Discover over 100,000 words and easily learn English pronunciation online!
Find your word:
Find how to pronounce a word and practice it in our free word pronouncer for English learners!
How to pronounce:
great
Definition:
(nou) a person who has achieved distinction and honor in some field
Phonetic Transcription:
ɡreɪt
Examples:
The food is great tasting, comes in huge portions, and yet, is cheaply priced.
I think someone needed to point out the great big hulking elephant in the room.
He played a great part in the politics of the Great Interregnum in Germany.
Learn more about:great
Related Words:
How to perfect your pronunciation of: great
Learn Individual Sounds
Break great down into individual sounds such as ɡreɪt. Practice these parts before you learn to say the whole word.
Copy Others
Use the tools above to find out how different people say great in their accents, then try to repeat after them.
Pick an Accent
Avoid mixing word pronunciations. If you’re learning American English, stick to it and try not to confuse yourself with British pronunciation.
Record Yourself
Say great in the pronunciation tool as many times as it takes before you get it right. Record yourself saying different sentences with great.
Get a Native Tutor
Improve your pronunciation with native speakers! Practice with American, British, and Australian teachers on Promova.
Common mistakes of great pronunciation
- Misplacing the vowel sound: Some learners pronounce "great" as /ɡrɛt/ instead of /ɡreɪt/. This mistake occurs when the "ea" is confused with the short "e" sound. Tip: Focus on the long "a" sound in "great."
- Ignoring the initial consonant cluster: A common error is pronouncing "great" as /ɡɪt/ or /ɡeɪt/, dropping the "r" sound. This often happens when learners are unfamiliar with consonant clusters. Tip: Practice saying the "gr" together as one smooth sound.
- Incorrect stress placement: Some may stress the second syllable, saying "gre-at" (/ɡreɪt/) instead of the correct single syllable /ɡreɪt/. This can lead to misunderstanding. Tip: Remember that "great" has one syllable and stress is on the first and only syllable.
- Overemphasizing the "t" sound: Learners sometimes pronounce "great" with an exaggerated "t," sounding like /ɡreɪtʰ/. This can make the word sound unnatural. Tip: Keep the "t" sound clear but soft; it should not be overly pronounced.
- Mixing up with similar words: Some confuse "great" with "grate" (/ɡreɪt/), leading to miscommunication. The meanings differ significantly, and the context can be lost. Tip: Pay attention to context clues and practice the differences in pronunciation.