Proper Pronunciation Guide
iron
[
ɑ͜i
ɚn]
Tips:
- Pronounce the letter “i” like the name of the letter itself—/ɑ͜i/—and stress it.
- Pronounce the letters “ro” as the weak R-Vowel /ɚ/ , making the secoond syllable sound like the word “earn.”
- Use the y-like consonant glide /j/ to link the two vowels—from/ɑ͜i/ to/ɚ/ .
Practice Sentences:
| The porch railing was made of iron. | |
| Can you iron these shirts for me? | |
| It was ironic that the "iron" railing was made of aluminum. |
Definitions:
(noun) The very hard metal-like substance used in tools and various sructures.
(verb) To press the rinkles out of clothing, such as a shirt. The word “ironing,” which is the present participle of the verb used as a noun, or gerund, is a mass noun referring to the activity of pressing the rinkles out of clothes or to all of the articles of clothing that need to be ironed (“I have a lot of ironing to do this evening”). The verb “iron” no doubt arose because the iron used to press the wrinkles out of clothing was originally made of iron (and probably heated up in the fire place).
Notes:
A way of learning to pronounce this word is first to say “I earn (a living by . . . ),” where the stress is on the verb “earn.” Then stress the word “I” instead of “earn” and the result is [ɑ͜i ɚn]. Further, say “I yearn (for peace),” and again reverse the stress from “yearn” to “I,” giving us [ɑ͜iɚn], which is the word “iron” with the y-like consonant glide /j/ linking the two syllables.