3 syllables: Ab, a, cus. Stress on Ab.
AB-uh-kuhs
/ˈæbəkəs/
Abacus is pronounced AB-uh-kuhs (/ˈæbəkəs/). It has three syllables (Ab-a-cus), with the stress on "Ab". Abacus is a handheld counting tool with beads sliding on parallel rods, traditionally used for arithmetic. It serves as a historical computing device and educational aid, illustrating place value and manual calculation. The word refers to the instrument itself and, by extension, to basic computational techniques learned through its use.
nounAbacus is a handheld counting tool with beads sliding on parallel rods, traditionally used for arithmetic. It serves as a historical computing device and educational aid, illustrating place value and manual calculation. The word refers to the instrument itself and, by extension, to basic computational techniques learned through its use.
How to Pronounce Abacus
"She demonstrated her math skills by solving the problem on an ancient abacus."
"The classroom included an abacus to teach children about counting and place value."
"Ancient merchants used an abacus to tally goods and track transactions."
Pronounce as AB-uh-kuhs with stress on the first syllable: /ˈæb.ə.kəs/. Start with a crisp /æ/ as in cat, then a relaxed schwa /ə/ in the middle, and finish with a soft /kəs/ . Think “AB-uh-kuss.” Listen for the short, clear initial vowel and a light, unstressed middle syllable. If you want an audio reference, check reputable pronunciation resources or dictionaries that provide native speaker clips.
Common mistakes: misplacing the stress (say-uh-bacus), pronouncing the middle vowel as a full /æ/ instead of a schwa, or making the ending sound like /əs/ vs /əs/. Correction tips: keep the first syllable strong (/ˈæb/), use a quick, relaxed /ə/ in the middle, and finish with a light /kəs/ rather than a heavy /kəs/ . Practice by alternating AB-uh-kuss and listening to native clips to compare rhythm and vowel quality.
US/UK/AU share /ˈæb.ə.kəs/ broadly, but vowel qualities vary slightly. In some US speakers, the first /æ/ may be tenser, and the second /ə/ can be more centralized. UK English maintains a clean, shorter /ə/ and can sound crisper on the final /kəs/. Australian English often features a clipped final syllable and a slightly broader /æ/; stress remains on the first syllable. Overall, the rhyme and rhythm are stable across dialects.
The difficulty lies in the two unstressed elements around a prominent first syllable: the middle /ə/ is quick and reduced, and the final /kəs/ requires a soft 'k' with a light 's' follow-through. Learners may overshoot with a pronounced /æ/ in the second syllable or flatten the ending into /kəs/ improperly. Focusing on the clean /ˈæb.ə.kəs/ with a quick middle vowel and a gentle, non-emphasized ending helps stabilization.
A key feature is the strong initial stress and the short, neutral middle vowel. The word hinges on a precise /æ/ followed by a light /ə/ and then /kəs/. The challenge is achieving a crisp /k/ release before the sibilant; avoid a trailing /z/ or an elongated middle vowel. Practice with tight jaw relaxation and keep lips neutral on the /ə/ to maintain natural rhythm.
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Abacus comes from Latin abacus, from Greek abax (meaning ‘tablet, board for counting’). The Greek term abax/abakon referred to a sand or dust-covered tablet used for counting. The word entered Latin as abacus and later Old French as abaque, before English adoption. In Classical times, abacus referred to a counting slab with beads on wires; later, mechanical and electronic devices supplanted it. The modern sense centers on the historic counting frame used for arithmetic. The term has retained its core meaning across centuries, from ancient trade hubs to classrooms. In medieval and early modern Europe, abaci were essential tools for merchants and scholars, sometimes using substantial counting frames with multiple rods. The semantic shift toward “any counting device” emerged as the method became symbolic of calculation more than a specific instrument, yet the original wooden frame remains the archetype. First known use in English traces to late 15th century writings, with related terms appearing in scientific and mathematical treatises of the period. The word’s endurance reflects a lasting cultural imprint of hand-based computation in education and commerce.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Abacus" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Abacus" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Abacus"
-nus sounds
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