Learn How to Pronounce ornery

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ornery

Phonetic Transcription:

ˈɔːnəri

Examples:

Some people are just ornery.

An ornery brother is an honorary member of the society.

Flint is old, ornery, cranky, and gruff.

Learn more about:
ornery

Related Words:

obstinate

cantankerous

How to perfect your pronunciation of: ornery

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Break ornery down into individual sounds such as ˈɔːnəri. Practice these parts before you learn to say the whole word.

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Common mistakes of ornery pronunciation

Misplacing stress: Many people incorrectly stress the second syllable, saying "or-NEH-ree" instead of the correct "OR-nə-ree" (ˈɔrnəri). Tip: Focus on emphasizing the first syllable for proper pronunciation.
Vowel confusion: Some may pronounce the first vowel as "o" in "hot," leading to "HON-ə-ree." The correct pronunciation has a more open sound, like "or" in "more." Tip: Practice saying "or" clearly before "nery."
Ignoring the final "y": A common mistake is to drop the "y" sound, resulting in "ORN-ər" instead of "ORN-ə-ree" (ˈɔrnəri). Tip: Remember to include the "ree" at the end for clarity.
Overemphasizing "n": Some speakers might stress the "n" too much, making it sound like "OR-nary." The correct pronunciation lightly touches on the "n." Tip: Keep the "n" subtle to maintain the flow of "ornery."
Regional variations: In some regions, "ornery" may be pronounced with a more drawn-out "a" sound, like "ARN-ə-ree." This is not standard. Tip: Listen to native speakers to grasp the typical pronunciation.

Frequently asked questions

How do you pronounce "ornery" correctly?

The word "ornery" is pronounced as /ˈɔrnəri/ in American English. It has the primary stress on the first syllable, which sounds like "or," followed by a softer second syllable that sounds like "nuh-ree."

Is there a difference in pronunciation of "ornery" between American and British English?

In American English, "ornery" is pronounced as /ˈɔrnəri/, while in British English, it is often pronounced as /ˈɔːnəri/. The main difference is in the vowel sounds, with Americans using a more open "or" sound.

What are some common mistakes when pronouncing "ornery"?

A common mistake is misplacing the stress, pronouncing it as /ɔˈnəri/ instead of /ˈɔrnəri/. Additionally, some may confuse it with similar-sounding words, but remember that "ornery" has a distinct sound and stress pattern.

How many syllables are in the word "ornery"?

The word "ornery" has three syllables: "or," "nuh," and "ree." Each syllable flows together, making it important to pronounce them clearly for better understanding.