how to pronounce laboratory

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How to Pronounce “Laboratory”

Pronouncing the word “laboratory” correctly is essential, especially if you work in the scientific field or if you frequently discuss laboratory-related topics. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to pronounce “laboratory” correctly:

  1. Start with the letter “L,” which is pronounced by placing the tip of your tongue against the roof of your mouth, just behind your front teeth. Exhale gently through your mouth, and produce a clear “L” sound.

  2. Follow the initial “L” with the letter “A,” pronounced as the short, open vowel sound. Imagine opening your mouth slightly as if preparing to say “ahh” at the doctor’s office.

  3. Continue with the letter “B,” pronounced as a voiced bilabial plosive. Press your lips together gently, creating a slight buildup of air, and release it by separating your lips while making a “b” sound.

  4. Progress to the letter “O,” pronounced as a long, rounded vowel sound. Form your lips into a small, rounded shape as if preparing to whistle, and produce a clear “oh” sound.

  5. Move on to the letter “R,” which can be challenging for some non-native English speakers. Place the tip of your tongue near the gumline of your upper teeth and make a slight curling motion, producing a soft, vibrating “r” sound.

  6. Follow the “R” with the letter “A” again, using the same short, open vowel sound as in step 2.

  7. Move on to the letter “T,” pronounced as an unvoiced alveolar plosive. Press the tip of your tongue against the gumline behind your upper teeth, and release the air by gently separating your tongue and gumline while producing a short and sharp “t” sound.

  8. Conclude with the letter “O” once more, using the long, rounded vowel sound mentioned in step 4.

  9. Finally, include the letter “R” again, following the same method described in step 5.

Putting it all together, the correct pronunciation of “laboratory” would be “lah-buh-rah-tor-ee.” Practice these steps repeatedly to ensure accurate pronunciation and to feel more confident when using the word in conversations or presentations.

Remember, practice makes perfect, and with time, you’ll master the correct pronunciation of “laboratory.”