English pronunciation · Words Starting with I

Idea Pronunciation

Idea is pronounced eye-DEE-uh, IPA /aɪˈdiə/.

eye-DEE-uh

US /aɪˈdiə/  ·  UK /aɪˈdiə/

Syllables: eye · DEE · uh (3 syllables, stress on syllable 2)

noun: A thought, plan or suggestion formed in the mind.

Audio for the American and British pronunciations plays on this page with JavaScript enabled.

Idea in a Sentence

  • The idea came to her on the train.
  • I have no idea where the receipt is.
  • It was his idea to move the meeting.

Common Mispronunciations of Idea

Not eye-DEER

No r belongs on the end. Many English speakers slip one in before a following vowel, as in the idea of it, but the word itself finishes on a bare uh.

Not EYE-dee-uh

DEE is the loud beat, with a light eye in front of it and a weak uh behind.

Tip: Three beats, and the first is the letter I said aloud.

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