To pronounce "idea", say ID-ea — 2 syllables, IPA /ɑeˈdiə̯/. Tap play below to hear it in four English accents, or practice it syllable by syllable.
idea
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2
Syllables
4
Letters
/ɑeˈdiə̯/
IPA
"idea" has 2 syllables: id-ea. It rhymes with stria and asea, if that helps it stick.
noun
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Practicing rhymes trains the same ending sounds.
"Idea" has 2 syllables: id · ea.
The IPA transcription of "idea" is /ɑeˈdiə̯/.
Idea: An abstract archetype of a given thing, compared to which real-life examples are seen as imperfect approximations; pure essence, as opposed to actual examples.
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