How to Pronounce “osteoporosis”

American (US)

/ˌɑːstioʊpəˈroʊsɪs/

British (UK)

/ˌɒstiəʊpəˈrəʊsɪs/

noun — A condition in which bones become brittle and fragile from loss of tissue.

Example: Weight-bearing exercise helps slow osteoporosis.

Where the stress falls. “osteoporosis” has 6 syllables, and the transcription /ˌɑːstioʊpəˈroʊsɪs/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the fifth one — so the fifth syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.

An unstressed vowel reduces to schwa. /ˌɑːstioʊpəˈroʊsɪs/ 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 "osteoporosis" mean?

osteoporosis (noun): A condition in which bones become brittle and fragile from loss of tissue. For example — Weight-bearing exercise helps slow osteoporosis.

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

American English: /ˌɑːstioʊpəˈroʊsɪs/. British English: /ˌɒstiəʊpəˈrəʊsɪs/. Play both on this page to hear the difference.

What is the IPA transcription of "osteoporosis"?

/ˌɑːstioʊpəˈroʊsɪs/ in American English, /ˌɒstiəʊpəˈrəʊsɪs/ in British English.

Which syllable is stressed in "osteoporosis"?

“osteoporosis” has 6 syllables, and the transcription /ˌɑːstioʊpəˈroʊsɪs/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the fifth one — so the fifth syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.