Learn How to Pronounce priest
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How to pronounce:
priest
Definition:
(nou) a clergyman in Christian churches who has the authority to perform or administer various religious rites; one of the Holy Orders (nou) a person who performs religious duties and ceremonies in a non-Christian religion
Phonetic Transcription:
priːst
Examples:
The diocesan priest and the religious priest are bound by the Church.
The priest recites the prayer of Saint Michael.
The priest says the prayer of forgiveness over the penitent.
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How to perfect your pronunciation of: priest
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Common mistakes of priest pronunciation
- Misplacing the vowel sound: Some learners pronounce "priest" as /prɪst/, using the short "i" sound. This is incorrect; the correct pronunciation is /priːst/ in both US and UK English. Tip: Focus on the long "ee" sound.
- Ignoring the initial consonant cluster: A common mistake is to pronounce "priest" as /pɹiːst/, dropping the "r" sound. This alters the word significantly. Tip: Make sure to articulate both "p" and "r" clearly.
- Overemphasizing the "t": Some speakers may pronounce "priest" with an exaggerated "t" sound, making it sound like /priːstʰ/. This is not standard. Tip: Keep the "t" soft and subtle, blending it smoothly with the preceding sounds.
- Confusing with similar words: Learners might mix up "priest" with "pressed" and pronounce it as /prɛst/. This changes the meaning entirely. Tip: Remember that "priest" has a long "ee" vowel sound, while "pressed" has a short "e."
- Stress misplacement: Some may incorrectly stress the second syllable, saying "pri-EST" instead of the correct "PRIEST" (/priːst/). This can confuse listeners. Tip: Always stress the first syllable for clarity.