Commonly Confused
🔊 Homophones: 100% Identical Pronunciation (⁄stɛər⁄)How to Pronounce stare vs stair
Key Pronunciation Contrast
Homophones (⁄stɛər⁄): a ‘stair’ is a single flight step; to ‘stare’ means gazing fixatedly with open eyes.
Contrast: Homophones: identical ⁄stɛər⁄
“She found him staring with raised eyebrows at her.”
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IPA: ⁄stɛər⁄
Frequently Asked Questions: stare vs stair
What is the difference in pronunciation between "stare" and "stair"?
Homophones (⁄stɛər⁄): a ‘stair’ is a single flight step; to ‘stare’ means gazing fixatedly with open eyes.
Where does the syllable stress fall in "stare" vs "stair"?
"stare" has 1 syllable(s) (stare) with stress on "STARE". "stair" has 1 syllable(s) (stair) with stress on "STAIR".
Why do English learners often confuse "stare" and "stair"?
Learners frequently confuse them due to the close sound contrast: Homophones: identical ⁄stɛər⁄. In rapid spoken English, context and vowel duration are the primary differentiators.
What are example sentences for "stare" and "stair"?
Example for "stare": "She found him staring with raised eyebrows at her." Example for "stair": "We practiced the word stair."