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ordinary

Definition:

(nou) a judge of a probate court (nou) the expected or commonplace condition or situation (nou) a clergyman appointed to prepare condemned prisoners for death (nou) an early bicycle with a very large front wheel and small back wheel (nou) any of several conventional figures used on shields

Phonetic Transcription:

ˈɔːdɪnri

Examples:

He is therefore an ordinary because of this vicarious ordinary executive power.

This is totally ordinary and unexceptional.

The ordinary minister of confirmation is the bishop.

Learn more about:
ordinary

Related Words:

normal

common

general

How to perfect your pronunciation of: ordinary

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Common mistakes of ordinary pronunciation

Misplacing stress: Many learners stress the second syllable, saying "or-DIN-ary" instead of "OR-din-ary" (/ˈɔːrdənəri/ in US, /ˈɔːdɪnəri/ in UK). Tip: Remember to emphasize the first syllable for correct pronunciation.
Ignoring the "d": Some speakers omit the "d" sound, pronouncing it as "or-inary." This leads to confusion with similar words. Tip: Focus on clearly articulating the "d" in "ordinary" (/ˈɔːrdənəri/).
Vowel sound confusion: The vowel sound in the second syllable is often mispronounced. Some say "or-di-nary" with a long "i." Tip: Practice the short "i" sound in "din" to get it right (/ˈɔːrdənəri/).
Overemphasizing the "n": Learners might stress the "n," saying "or-di-NARY." This can make the word sound awkward. Tip: Keep the "n" subtle and balanced with the other syllables for natural flow.
Mispronouncing the final "y": Some people pronounce the last syllable as "ree" instead of the correct "ree" sound. Tip: Ensure the final sound is soft and quick, as in "ordinary" (/ˈɔːrdənəri/), to avoid sounding unnatural.

Frequently asked questions

How do you pronounce "ordinary" in American English?

In American English, "ordinary" is pronounced as /ˈɔrdəˌnɛri/. The primary stress is on the first syllable "or," followed by a schwa sound in the second syllable.

What is the UK pronunciation of "ordinary"?

In British English, "ordinary" is pronounced as /ˈɔː.dɪ.nəri/. The primary stress remains on the first syllable, but the vowel sounds differ slightly from the American version.

How many syllables are in the word "ordinary"?

The word "ordinary" has five syllables: "or-di-na-ry." Each syllable is pronounced clearly, with the stress on the first syllable.

Are there common mistakes when pronouncing "ordinary"?

A common mistake is misplacing the stress, often placing it on the second syllable instead of the first. Remember to emphasize the "or" sound to pronounce "ordinary" correctly.