English pronunciation · Words Starting with T
Theory Pronunciation
Theory is pronounced THI-ree, IPA /ˈθiɝi/.
THI-ree
US /ˈθiɝi/ · UK /ˈθiəri/
Syllables: THI · ree (2 syllables, stress on syllable 1)
noun: An idea put forward to explain how something works, or the body of such ideas in a field.
Audio for the American and British pronunciations plays on this page with JavaScript enabled.
Theory in a Sentence
- That is the theory, at least.
- Her theory explains the second set of results rather well.
- He knows the theory but has never done it.
Common Mispronunciations of Theory
Not TEE-uh-ree
The opening is the hissed th of thing. Substituting a t is the most frequent change learners make to this consonant.
Not thee-AW-ree
The first syllable holds the beat. Moving it along gives the shape of theatrical instead.
Tip: British speakers tend to spread it over three syllables, THEE-uh-ree, while Americans often compress it to two.
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