Learn How to Pronounce secretary

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secretary

Definition:

(nou) a person who is head of an administrative department of government (nou) an assistant who handles correspondence and clerical work for a boss or an organization (nou) a person to whom a secret is entrusted (nou) a desk used for writing

Phonetic Transcription:

ˈsekrətəri

Examples:

The deputy secretary is the chief policy advisor to the Secretary.

Contact the secretary for the password.

She was hired as a secretary.

Learn more about:
secretary

Related Words:

assistant

attorney

How to perfect your pronunciation of: secretary

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Common mistakes of secretary pronunciation

Misplacing the stress: Some learners incorrectly stress the second syllable, pronouncing it as /ˈsɛk.rəˌtɛr.i/ instead of /ˈsɛk.rəˌtɛr.i/ in US English and /ˈsɛk.rə.tər.i/ in UK English. Tip: Focus on the first syllable for proper stress.
Omitting the middle syllable: A common mistake is dropping the "re" and saying "sec-tary" as /ˈsɛk.tɛr.i/. This can lead to misunderstandings. Tip: Remember to pronounce all syllables clearly: "sec-re-tary".
Incorrect vowel sounds: Some may mispronounce the "e" in the first syllable, saying /ˈsiː.krə.tɛr.i/, which is incorrect. The correct pronunciation is /ˈsɛk.rə.tɛr.i/ in US English and /ˈsɛk.rə.tər.i/ in UK English. Tip: Use a short "e" sound as in "set".
Confusing the final "y": Learners often mispronounce the last syllable, saying "tary" as /ˈtɛr.i/ instead of /ˈtər.i/ in UK English and /ˈtɛr.i/ in US English. Tip: Keep the ending soft, like "tary" in "library".
Overemphasizing the "r": Some may pronounce the "r" too strongly, resulting in /ˈsɛk.rəˌtɛr.i/ instead of the softer /ˈsɛk.rə.tər.i/ in UK English. Tip: Lighten the "r" sound for a more natural pronunciation.

Frequently asked questions

How do you pronounce "secretary" in American English?

In American English, "secretary" is pronounced as /ˈsɛkrəˌtɛri/. The stress is on the first syllable, "sec," while the second syllable has a schwa sound, making it sound like "se-kruh-tair-ee."

What is the British pronunciation of "secretary"?

In British English, "secretary" is pronounced as /ˈsɛkrəˌtəri/. Similar to American English, the first syllable is stressed, but the final syllable sounds more like "tuh-ree" rather than "tair-ee."

Are there any common mistakes when pronouncing "secretary"?

A common mistake is misplacing the stress or pronouncing it as /səˈkrɛtəri/, stressing the second syllable instead. Remember to keep the stress on the first syllable for both US and UK pronunciations.

How many syllables are in the word "secretary"?

The word "secretary" has four syllables: "sec-re-tar-y." When pronouncing it, make sure to articulate each syllable clearly, especially the schwa in the second syllable.