How to Pronounce “paradigm”

American (US)

/ˈpærədaɪm/

British (UK)

/ˈpærədaɪm/

Australian (AU)

/ˈpæɹ.ə.dɑem/

noun — A typical pattern or model, or the accepted framework of ideas within a field.

Example: The discovery forced a new paradigm on the whole discipline.

Synonyms: model, framework, pattern

Where the stress falls. “paradigm” has 3 syllables, and the transcription /ˈpærədaɪm/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the first one — so the first syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.

An unstressed vowel reduces to schwa. /ˈpærədaɪm/ contains a schwa /ə/ — the short, neutral “uh” that English unstressed syllables collapse into. Saying /ə/ there, instead of the vowel the spelling suggests, is most of what makes the word sound native.

What does "paradigm" mean?

paradigm (noun): A typical pattern or model, or the accepted framework of ideas within a field. For example — The discovery forced a new paradigm on the whole discipline.

How do you pronounce "paradigm" in American vs British English?

Both accents use the same sequence of phonemes for "paradigm", /ˈpærədaɪm/, so the difference you hear is in how the vowels are coloured rather than in which sounds are used. Play both on this page to compare.

What is the IPA transcription of "paradigm"?

/ˈpærədaɪm/ in American English, /ˈpærədaɪm/ in British English, /ˈpæɹ.ə.dɑem/ in Australian English.

Which syllable is stressed in "paradigm"?

“paradigm” has 3 syllables, and the transcription /ˈpærədaɪm/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the first one — so the first syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.

How to Pronounce Academic Words — Greek Vocabulary, With Audio

Methodology, paradigm, epistemology and hypothesis — the -ology stress rule that unlocks Greek academic vocabulary, and the odd words that break it.

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