How to Pronounce “esophagus”

American (US)

/ɪˈsɑːfəɡəs/

British (UK)

/iːˈsɒfəɡəs/

noun — The muscular tube that carries food from the throat to the stomach.

Example: Acid reflux irritates the lining of the esophagus.

Where the stress falls. “esophagus” has 4 syllables, and the transcription /ɪˈsɑːfəɡəs/ 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. /ɪˈsɑːfəɡəs/ 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 "esophagus" mean?

esophagus (noun): The muscular tube that carries food from the throat to the stomach. For example — Acid reflux irritates the lining of the esophagus.

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

American English: /ɪˈsɑːfəɡəs/. British English: /iːˈsɒfəɡəs/. Play both on this page to hear the difference.

What is the IPA transcription of "esophagus"?

/ɪˈsɑːfəɡəs/ in American English, /iːˈsɒfəɡəs/ in British English.

Which syllable is stressed in "esophagus"?

“esophagus” has 4 syllables, and the transcription /ɪˈsɑːfəɡəs/ 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.