How to Pronounce “staphylococcus”

American (US)

/ˌstæfɪloʊˈkɑːkəs/

British (UK)

/ˌstæfɪləʊˈkɒkəs/

noun — A spherical gram-positive parasitic bacterium of the genus Staphylococcus, causing blisters, septicemia, and other infections.

Where the stress falls. “staphylococcus” has 5 syllables, and the transcription /ˌstæfɪloʊˈkɑːkəs/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the fourth one — so the fourth syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.

An unstressed vowel reduces to schwa. /ˌstæfɪloʊˈkɑːkəs/ 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 "staphylococcus" mean?

staphylococcus (noun): A spherical gram-positive parasitic bacterium of the genus Staphylococcus, causing blisters, septicemia, and other infections.

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

American English: /ˌstæfɪloʊˈkɑːkəs/. British English: /ˌstæfɪləʊˈkɒkəs/. Play both on this page to hear the difference.

What is the IPA transcription of "staphylococcus"?

/ˌstæfɪloʊˈkɑːkəs/ in American English, /ˌstæfɪləʊˈkɒkəs/ in British English.

Which syllable is stressed in "staphylococcus"?

“staphylococcus” has 5 syllables, and the transcription /ˌstæfɪloʊˈkɑːkəs/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the fourth one — so the fourth syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.