How to pronounce “make”

Make is pronounced /ˈmeɪk/. It has 1 syllable. Below: the syllable split, native audio in both accents, the mistake people actually make with this word, and every individual sound in it explained.

Syllables and stress

Split it into 1 beat. It is a single beat — one vowel, said in one push of breath.

Stress pattern O — capital letters mark the stressed beats.

“make” sound by sound

“make” is built out of 3 sounds. Say each one on its own first, slowly, then run them together at speed. Every sound links to a full guide with mouth position, the mistake learners make with it, and other words that use it.

• m
  /m/ — M sound

  Close the lips, lower the soft palate and let the voiced air come out through the nose.
• eɪ
  /eɪ/ — long A (FACE)

  Start at the /e/ position and glide upward and forward toward /ɪ/ — the jaw closes as you say it.
• k
  /k/ — voiceless velar stop

  Raise the back of the tongue to touch the soft palate, seal the air, then release it with a puff.

Silent letters in “make”

Letters you write but never say — this is the single biggest reason the word trips people up:

• e
  The letter “e”

  Silent final “e” (it lengthens the vowel instead) — write it, but do not let it reach your mouth.

Words that rhyme with “make”

Same ending sound from the stressed vowel on — a good way to hear whether you have the vowel right:

Minimal pairs — words one sound away from “make”

Each of these differs from “make” by exactly one sound. If you can say both of a pair and hear the difference, that sound is under control:

Questions people ask about “make”

How do you pronounce “make”?

“make” is pronounced /ˈmeɪk/. Press the US or UK button above to hear it spoken.

How many syllables are in “make”?

“make” has 1 syllable. The stress pattern is O.

Does “make” have any silent letters?

Yes — silent final “e” (it lengthens the vowel instead).

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The sounds inside this word

Words next to “make” in the guide

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