What is victory? Pronunciation and usage in English

victory means . Learn how to pronounce and use victory through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of victory

victorynoun

/ˈvɪkt(ə)ri/
Definition & pronunciation of victory

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "victory" in English. Here's a breakdown and some tips:

The most common and accepted pronunciation is:

  • ˈvɪk.tɔː.ri (rhymes with "sick-tory")

Let's break it down syllable by syllable:

  • ˈvi - This first syllable sounds like "vee" - crisp and clear. The stress is on this syllable.
  • c-tɔː - This is the tricky part.
    • c - Pronounced like a "k" sound.
    • tɔː - This is a diphthong, which is a combination of two vowel sounds. It sounds like the “a” in “father” followed by a short “o” sound, like in “hot.” It’s a slightly drawn-out sound.
  • ri - This final syllable is pronounced like "ree."

Here's a phonetic breakdown using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA):

ˈvɪk.tɔː.ri

Tips for getting it right:

  • Stress: As mentioned, the stress is on the first syllable ("vee"). This is crucial.
  • The "Tɔː" Sound: This is the hardest part for many learners. Practice slowly and deliberately saying "a" followed by "o" like in "father" then "hot”.
  • Listen to examples: The best way to learn is to hear it pronounced correctly. You can easily find audio examples online:
    • Google Search: Search for "how to pronounce victory" on Google and listen to the results.
    • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/victory/ – This website lets you hear native speakers pronounce the word in different accents.

Would you like me to:

  • Repeat the pronunciation slowly?
  • Give you some example sentences using the word "victory"?

Usage and examples with the word victory in English

Let's break down how to use the word "victory" in English. It's a versatile word with several different layers of meaning.

1. Basic Meaning: Success in a Competition or Struggle

  • Definition: The most common usage is as a result of winning a competition, battle, or struggle.
  • Examples:
    • "The team celebrated their victory after winning the championship game."
    • "After years of hard work, she finally achieved victory in her career."
    • "He felt a sense of victory when he overcame his illness." (Here, "victory" represents overcoming a personal challenge.)

2. General Sense of Success and Achievement

  • Definition: "Victory" can be used to describe any significant achievement or accomplishment, even if it's not a formal competition. It conveys a feeling of triumph.
  • Examples:
    • "The company's new product launch was a victory for innovation."
    • "Their continued efforts in promoting environmental awareness represent a quiet victory."
    • “Despite the difficulties, the students celebrated their victory in completing the challenging project.”

3. As a Noun (The thing that is won)

  • Simply referring to the winning outcome.
    • "The victory belonged to the underdog team."
    • “She savored the taste of victory.”

4. As a Verb (To win) – Less Common

  • Definition: To achieve a win or success. This usage is less frequent than the noun form.
  • Examples:
    • “The negotiators victored the opposing side in the treaty talks.” (Formal, often used in diplomacy)
    • "The speaker victored the audience with his compelling argument." (A more dramatic and less common usage)

5. Figurative Usage - Overcoming Difficulties/Challenges

  • Definition: “Victory” can represent a sense of overcoming adversity, hardship, or negativity.
  • Examples:
    • "Finding inner peace is a personal victory."
    • "Her victory over her fears was inspiring."

Tips for Using "Victory" Effectively:

  • Context is Key: Pay attention to the situation to determine the most appropriate meaning.
  • Strong Connotation: “Victory” carries a strong positive connotation – it’s about triumph and achievement.
  • Synonyms: Consider using synonyms like “win,” “success,” “triumph,” “achievement,” “success,” or “accomplishment” for variety.

Resources for Further Learning:

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • What kind of writing are you working on? (e.g., creative writing, academic paper, casual conversation)
  • Can you give me an example sentence where you’re considering using “victory”?

Synonyms for the word victory

Idioms of the word victory

roar, romp, sweep, etc. to victory
to win something easily
  • He swept to victory in the final of the championship.
  • Labour swept to victory in the 1945 election.
snatch victory from the jaws of defeat
to win something even though it seemed up until the last moment that you would lose

    Practice with vocabulary victory

    Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

    1. After years of dedication, the team achieved a decisive ________ in the championship match.
    2. Completing such a complex project within the tight deadline was a significant ________ for the engineering firm.
    3. The diplomat's tireless negotiations ultimately led to a diplomatic ________ for peace in the region.
    4. Despite the initial setbacks, her perseverance was a personal ________ over adversity.

    Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (select all that apply)

    1. Which of these terms could describe the successful conclusion of a difficult political negotiation? a) Victory b) Triumph c) Stalemate d) Resolution
    2. After several attempts, the scientist finally achieved a significant ________ in finding a potential cure. a) Breakthrough b) Setback c) Victory d) Failure
    3. The marketing campaign's immense popularity resulted in a decisive market ________ over its competitors. a) Domination b) Defeat c) Retreat d) Victory
    4. The CEO announced the company's recent ________ in expanding into new international markets. a) Progress b) Failure c) Stagnation d) Expansion
    5. The team's unwavering spirit was a true ________ against the overwhelming odds. a) Obstacle b) Hindrance c) Resilience d) Challenge

    Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

    1. Original: Despite facing tough opposition, our team managed to win the championship title. Rewrite:
    2. Original: The successful implementation of the new policy was a huge success for the entire department. Rewrite:
    3. Original: The company's long-term goal is to overcome its competitors and become the market leader. Rewrite:

    Answer:

    Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

    1. victory
    2. achievement
    3. victory
    4. triumph

    Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

    1. a) Victory, b) Triumph, d) Resolution
    2. a) Breakthrough, c) Victory
    3. a) Domination, d) Victory
    4. a) Progress, d) Expansion
    5. c) Resilience

    Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

    1. Rewrite: Despite facing tough opposition, our team achieved a championship victory.
    2. Rewrite: The successful implementation of the new policy was a major victory for the entire department.
    3. Rewrite: The company's long-term goal is to achieve dominance over its competitors and become the market leader.

    Comment ()