How to Pronounce “gonorrhea”

American (US)

/ˌɡɑːnəˈriə/

British (UK)

/ˌɡɒnəˈriːə/

noun — A sexually transmitted infection caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae, a species of bacteria (the gonococcus) that affects the mucous membrane of the genital and urinary tracts.

Where the stress falls. “gonorrhea” has 4 syllables, and the transcription /ˌɡɑːnəˈriə/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the third one — so the third syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.

An unstressed vowel reduces to schwa. /ˌɡɑːnəˈriə/ 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 "gonorrhea" mean?

gonorrhea (noun): A sexually transmitted infection caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae, a species of bacteria (the gonococcus) that affects the mucous membrane of the genital and urinary tracts.

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

American English: /ˌɡɑːnəˈriə/. British English: /ˌɡɒnəˈriːə/. Play both on this page to hear the difference.

What is the IPA transcription of "gonorrhea"?

/ˌɡɑːnəˈriə/ in American English, /ˌɡɒnəˈriːə/ in British English.

Which syllable is stressed in "gonorrhea"?

“gonorrhea” has 4 syllables, and the transcription /ˌɡɑːnəˈriə/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the third one — so the third syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.