How to Pronounce “ophthalmologist”

American (US)

/ˌɑːfθælˈmɑːlədʒɪst/

British (UK)

/ˌɒfθælˈmɒlədʒɪst/

noun — A doctor who specialises in diseases and surgery of the eye.

Example: The ophthalmologist found early signs of cataracts.

Where the stress falls. “ophthalmologist” has 5 syllables, and the transcription /ˌɑːfθælˈmɑːlədʒɪst/ 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. /ˌɑːfθælˈmɑːlədʒɪst/ 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 "ophthalmologist" mean?

ophthalmologist (noun): A doctor who specialises in diseases and surgery of the eye. For example — The ophthalmologist found early signs of cataracts.

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

American English: /ˌɑːfθælˈmɑːlədʒɪst/. British English: /ˌɒfθælˈmɒlədʒɪst/. Play both on this page to hear the difference.

What is the IPA transcription of "ophthalmologist"?

/ˌɑːfθælˈmɑːlədʒɪst/ in American English, /ˌɒfθælˈmɒlədʒɪst/ in British English.

Which syllable is stressed in "ophthalmologist"?

“ophthalmologist” has 5 syllables, and the transcription /ˌɑːfθælˈmɑːlədʒɪst/ 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.

• Medical terms