How to Pronounce “amorphous”

American (US)

/əˈmɔ(ɹ)fəs/

British (UK)

/əˈmɔ(ɹ)fəs/

adjective — Lacking a definite form or clear shape.

Example: amorphous blob.

Where the stress falls. “amorphous” has 3 syllables, and the transcription /əˈmɔ(ɹ)fəs/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the second one — so the second syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.

An unstressed vowel reduces to schwa. /əˈmɔ(ɹ)fəs/ contains a schwa /ə/ — the short, neutral “uh” that English unstressed syllables collapse into. Saying /ə/ there, instead of the vowel the spelling suggests, is most of what makes the word sound native.

What does "amorphous" mean?

amorphous (adjective): Lacking a definite form or clear shape. For example — amorphous blob.

How do you pronounce "amorphous" in American vs British English?

Both accents use the same sequence of phonemes for "amorphous", /əˈmɔ(ɹ)fəs/, so the difference you hear is in how the vowels are coloured rather than in which sounds are used. Play both on this page to compare.

What is the IPA transcription of "amorphous"?

/əˈmɔ(ɹ)fəs/ in American English, /əˈmɔ(ɹ)fəs/ in British English.

Which syllable is stressed in "amorphous"?

“amorphous” has 3 syllables, and the transcription /əˈmɔ(ɹ)fəs/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the second one — so the second syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.