Learn How to Pronounce sycophant
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How to pronounce:
sycophant
Definition:
(nou) a person who tries to please someone in order to gain a personal advantage
Phonetic Transcription:
ˈsɪkəfænt
Examples:
An example of a sycophant is Clover.
Being a sycophant is a descriptive of a series of actions.
He believes that being a sycophant is unnecessary.
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Common mistakes of sycophant pronunciation
- Misplacing the stress: Some learners stress the wrong syllable, saying "SY-co-phant" instead of "SY-co-phant" (/ˈsɪkəfænt/ in US and UK). Tip: Remember, the first syllable is the most important—emphasize "SY".
- Incorrect vowel sound: Many pronounce the first vowel as "a" in "cat," saying "sɪ-kə-fænt" instead of "sɪ-kə-fənt." Tip: The first vowel should sound like "i" in "sit" to get it right.
- Overemphasizing the final "t": Some speakers pronounce "sycophant" with a strong "t" sound, as in "cat," making it sound like "sycophant." Tip: The "t" should be softer and less stressed.
- Missing the schwa sound: Learners often neglect the schwa in the second syllable, saying "sycophant" instead of "sycophant." Tip: The second syllable is pronounced with a relaxed schwa sound, like "uh," making it smoother.
- Confusing with similar words: Some mix "sycophant" with "sociopath" or "psychopath," leading to incorrect pronunciation. Tip: Focus on the distinct phonetic sounds in "sycophant" to avoid confusion with these different terms.