How to pronounce "orient"

Speed: 1.0x

Height

Play the video to see captions

Transcript

I'm used to thinking of the TED audience

as a wonderful collection of some of the most effective,

intelligent, intellectual, savvy,

worldly and innovative people in the world.

And I think that's true.

However, I also have reason to believe that many, if not most, of you

are actually tying your shoes incorrectly.

(Laughter)

Now I know that seems ludicrous.

I know that seems ludicrous.

And believe me, I lived the same sad life until about three years ago.

And what happened to me

was I bought, what was for me, a very expensive pair of shoes.

But those shoes came with round nylon laces,

and I couldn't keep them tied.

So I went back to the store and said to the owner,

"I love the shoes, but I hate the laces."

He took a look and said, "Oh, you're tying them wrong."

Now up until that moment,

I would have thought that, by age 50,

one of the life skills that I had really nailed

was tying my shoes.

(Laughter)

But not so -- let me demonstrate.

This is the way

that most of us were taught to tie our shoes.

Now as it turns out -- thank you.

(Applause)

Wait, there's more.

As it turns out --

(Laughter)

there's a strong form and a weak form of this knot,

and we were taught the weak form.

And here's how to tell.

If you pull the strands at the base of the knot,

you will see that the bow will orient itself

down the long axis of the shoe.

That's the weak form of the knot.

But not to worry.

If we start over

and simply go the other direction around the bow,

we get this, the strong form of the knot.

And if you pull the cords under the knot,

you will see that the bow orients itself

along the transverse axis of the shoe.

This is a stronger knot.

It will come untied less often.

It will let you down less, and not only that, it looks better.

We're going to do this one more time.

(Applause)

Start as usual --

(Applause)

go the other way around the loop.

This is a little hard for children,

but I think you can handle it.

Pull the knot.

There it is: the strong form of the shoe knot.

Now, in keeping with today's theme,

I'd like to point out -- something you already know --

that sometimes a small advantage someplace in life

can yield tremendous results someplace else.

(Laughter)

Live long and prosper.

(Applause)

Phonetic Breakdown of "orient"

Learn how to break down "orient" into its phonetic components. Understanding syllables and phonetics helps with pronunciation, spelling, and language learning.

ori-ent

2 syllables

Standard Phonetic Pronunciation:

/ˈɔː.ɹɪ.ənt/

/ˈɒ.ɹɪ-/

Phonetic representation based on standard dictionaries

IPA Phonetic Pronunciation:

AO1 R IY0 EH2 N T

Standard phonetic transcription to help with precise pronunciation

Pronunciation Tips:

Stress the first syllable
Pay attention to vowel sounds
Practice each syllable separately

Spelling Benefits:

Easier to remember spelling
Helps with word recognition
Improves reading fluency

Definition of "orient"

Pronunciation: /ˈɔː.ɹɪ.ənt/

Proper noun

Usually preceded by the: a region or a part of the world to the east of a certain place; countries of Asia, the East (especially East Asia).

Antonyms: Occident
The countries east of the Mediterranean.

Proper noun

A city and town in Illinois.
A city and town in Iowa.
A town in Maine.
A census-designated place and hamlet in New York.
A town and village in South Dakota.

Noun

The part of the horizon where the sun first appears in the morning; the east.
A pearl originating from the Indian region, reputed to be of great brilliance; (by extension) any pearl of particular beauty and value.
(by extension) The brilliance or colour of a high-quality pearl.

Verb

To build or place (something) so as to face eastward.
(by extension) To align or place (a person or object) so that his, her, or its east side, north side, etc., is positioned toward the corresponding points of the compass; (specifically) to rotate (a map attached to a plane table) until the line of direction between any two of its points is parallel to the corresponding direction in nature.

Synonyms: orientate
To direct towards or point at a particular direction.

Example: "The workers oriented all the signs to face the road."

Synonyms: orientate
To determine which direction one is facing.

Example: "Let me just orient myself and we can be on our way."
To familiarize (oneself or someone) with a circumstance or situation.

Example: "Give him time to orient himself within the new hierarchy."

Synonyms: orientate

Antonyms: disorient, disorientate
To set the focus of (something) so as to appeal or relate to a certain group.

Example: "We will orient our campaign to the youth who are often disinterested."
To change direction to face a certain way.

Adjective

Rising, like the morning sun.
Of the colour of the sky at daybreak; bright red.

Synonyms: Orient red
(obsolete except poetic) Of, facing, or located in the east; eastern, oriental.

Antonyms: occidental
(obsolete except poetic) Of a pearl or other gem: of great brilliance and value; (by extension) bright, lustrous.

How to pronounce "orient"

Transcript

Phonetic Breakdown of "orient"

Standard Phonetic Pronunciation: Listen

IPA Phonetic Pronunciation: Listen

Pronunciation Tips:

Spelling Benefits:

Definition of "orient"

Proper noun

Proper noun

Noun

Verb

Adjective

Standard Phonetic Pronunciation:

IPA Phonetic Pronunciation: