How to pronounce "imp" in English
ɪmp
IMP
Primary stress: IMP
Hear native speakers say imp in context across real video clips
Linguistic Pronunciation Masterclass: “imp”
Phonetic mechanics, syllable architecture, and conversational cadence
Syllable Architecture & Stress Distribution
IMP
Elevated pitch, sustained vowel length, and full acoustic clarity.
As a single-syllable word, "imp" receives full primary stress when spoken in isolation, though it may take a reduced weak form in connected speech when acting as a function word.
Common Pronunciation Traps & Learner Mistakes
The Trap: Single-syllable words like "imp" carry primary acoustic prominence in isolation, but can be swallowed in rapid connected speech.
How Native Speakers Say It: Sustain vowel clarity without rushing into the trailing consonant. Elevate pitch slightly when "imp" carries the primary contrast or new information in a sentence.
Connected Speech & Natural Conversational Flow
When "imp" is followed by a word starting with a vowel, glide the final consonant into the opening vowel (e.g. "imp is" sounds like "imp-iz").
In natural sentences, avoid over-stressing "imp" unless it conveys the core contrast or focal point of your message.
Authentic Spoken Quotes from Native Video Context
“imp to measure the size of an input so in this example this problem rod cutting the input is a”— MIT OpenCourseWareWatch clip
“Imp impressionist painters and approach this new technology with our deep experience in the industry and our very own human”— TEDx TalksWatch clip
“imp passionate service to them and then you have to tell them the truth about entrepreneurship the smallest company”— TED-EdWatch clip
“almost imp passing I think by Stuart that as we uh and it it has to”— Harvard UniversityWatch clip
“imp the the uh adaptation and um impacts the mitigation the science and the”— StanfordWatch clip
“the Imp in in building great product experiences whether it's in music or social media or or whatever did you ever did you always care about money do you”— WIREDWatch clip
Practice Speaking “imp”
Listen to native pronunciation, record yourself repeating the sentence into your microphone, and receive real-time word-by-word accuracy scoring.
imp to measure the size of an input so in this example this problem rod cutting the input is a
Hear it in context: “imp”
512 clipsThe English word “imp” is transcribed in the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) as ɪmp (phonetic respelling: IMP). Phonologically, it consists of 1 syllable (IMP), pronounced as a single stressed monosyllable. Grammatically, “imp” functions as a verb, noun and acts as an English heteronym where syllable stress shifts between noun (initial-syllable stress) and verb (second-syllable stress) usage. SayItVid indexes 512 authentic English video clips demonstrating how native speakers articulate “imp” in natural connected speech across American (US: 8 sampled), British (UK), and Australian (AUS) accents, including verified broadcasts from MIT OpenCourseWare, TEDx Talks, TED-Ed.
Spoken Video Transcripts & Contextual Quotes (5 Verified Clips)
- 🇺🇸 USMIT OpenCourseWareClip #1 · @20:02
“what the case where we normally work and so the natural way to imp to measure the size of an input so in this example this problem rod cutting the input is a this example this problem rod cutting the input is a”
- 🇺🇸 USTEDx TalksClip #2 · @16:37
“place thoughtfully but beyond that like I tell my team we need to be like the Imp impressionist painters and approach this new technology with our deep experience in the industry and our very own human experience in the industry and our very own human”
- 🇺🇸 USTED-EdClip #3 · @14:17
“don't come and talk to you then you have to talk offer them Absolute dedicated in imp passionate service to them and then you have to tell them the truth about entrepreneurship the smallest company truth about entrepreneurship the smallest company”
- 🇺🇸 USHarvard UniversityClip #4 · @68:18
“experience uh and it relates to something that was said this morning almost imp passing I think by Stuart that as we uh and it it has to the question that was raised about the re the writing of born digital”
- 🇺🇸 USStanfordClip #5 · @7:31
“scci advancing the science side and we uh met with the four panels that kind of imp the the uh adaptation and um impacts the mitigation the science and the communicating to policy makers and the the big problem with this aspirational”
Definition & Meaning: “imp”
- To engraft or plant (a plant or part of one, a sapling, etc.).
- To graft or implant (something other than a plant); to fix or set (something) in.
- A small, mischievous sprite or a malevolent supernatural creature, somewhat comparable to a demon but smaller and less powerful, formerly regarded as the child of the devil or a demon (see sense 3.2).
- A mischievous child.
Example Sentences (3)
- “That headleſſe tyrants tronke he reard from ground, / And, having ympt the head to it agayne, / Vpon his vſuall beaſt it firmely bound, / And made it ſo to ride, as it aliue was found.”
- “"Yes, there are a great, great many coming after us; at least a score," said the lad.—"Well, that's the troll," said the horse; "he is coming after us with his imps."”
- “imp to measure the size of an input so in this example this problem rod cutting the input is a”
Common Phrases & Collocations
Pronounce: “imp”
- Pronunciation:
- IMP
- Syllables:
- IMP
- Primary stress:
- IMP
- IPA:
- ɪmp
- Hear it in context
- imp
Synonyms: “imp”
Hear words related in meaning to “imp” in real video clips:
Words that Rhyme with “imp”
-ɪmpWords that Sound Identical (Homophones)
Unique Sound"imp" (⁄ɪmp⁄) has no true homophones in standard English — there are no other words with identical pronunciation. Unlike sound-alike pairs like there / their or peace / piece, "imp" has a completely distinct phonetic identity.
Frequently asked questions about imp
How do you pronounce “imp”?
“imp” is pronounced ⁄ɪmp⁄ (IMP). Listen to the native-speaker clips above to hear it in real conversation.
Where is the stress in “imp”?
The primary stress in “imp” is on “IMP”. Listen for that stressed syllable in the clips above.
What does “imp” mean?
To engraft or plant (a plant or part of one, a sapling, etc.).
How can I hear “imp” used in real sentences?
This page has 512 real-world video examples of “imp” with synchronized subtitles. Use Previous / Next (or ← / → keys) to hear each one at the exact moment it is spoken.
What is the most common pronunciation mistake when saying “imp”?
Single-syllable words like "imp" carry primary acoustic prominence in isolation, but can be swallowed in rapid connected speech. Sustain vowel clarity without rushing into the trailing consonant. Elevate pitch slightly when "imp" carries the primary contrast or new information in a sentence.