How to Pronounce "in an ivory tower"
expression
IN an EYE-vur-ee TOW-ur
IN un EYE-vuh-ree TOW-uh
Definition
If someone is in an ivory tower, they are separated from everyday problems and real-world issues, often because they focus only on intellectual or academic matters.
IPA Transcription
American English
ˈɪn/, /ɪn/ /ˈæn/, /ən/ /ˈaɪvɝi/, /ˈaɪvɹi/ /ˈtaʊɝ
British English
ˈɪn/ /ˈɐn/ /ˈaɪvəɹˌi/ /ˈtaʊ.ə(ɹ)
Simplified Pronunciation
US
IN an EYE-vur-ee TOW-ur
UK
IN un EYE-vuh-ree TOW-uh
Listen in Context
The professor lives in an ivory tower and doesn't understand his students' problems.
People say the government is in an ivory tower, ignoring real issues.
She spends all her time reading books in an ivory tower.
He has great ideas, but he's stuck in an ivory tower and out of touch with reality.