2 syllables: ab, stracts. Stress on ab.
AB-strakts
/ˈæbstɹækts/
abstracts is pronounced AB-strakts (/ˈæbstɹækts/). It has two syllables (ab-stracts), with the stress on "ab". Abstracts (noun or verb form) refers to brief summaries of larger works or to the act of extracting or interpreting general ideas from something. In plural form, it typically denotes multiple summaries or condensed versions, or actions of abstracting in research. The sense shifts with context—from scholarly abstracts to the verb meaning “to withdraw or separate” in some uses. The term blends abstract (adj./noun) with a plural -s ending.
Abstracts (noun or verb form) refers to brief summaries of larger works or to the act of extracting or interpreting general ideas from something. In plural form, it typically denotes multiple summaries or condensed versions, or actions of abstracting in research. The sense shifts with context—from scholarly abstracts to the verb meaning “to withdraw or separate” in some uses. The term blends abstract (adj./noun) with a plural -s ending.
"- The researcher submitted three abstracts for the conference; each one summarizes the study’s aims, methods, and findings."
"- In philosophy, abstracts of scenes may be discussed in relation to broader metaphysical themes."
"- The artist’s abstracts invite viewers to infer meaning beyond literal representation."
/ˈæb.stræks/ for the noun (plural). The first syllable carries primary stress. If used as a verb form (he abstracts), the pronunciation is /ˈæb.stræks/ with stress on the same syllable; the suffix -s is a voiced /z/ sound only in present 3rd-person singular (he abstracts?), however for plural noun it remains /s/. In connected speech, you’ll hear /ˈæb.stræks/ with a slight delay between /æ/ and /b/ due to a short pause after the first syllable. Mouth position: start with an open front unrounded vowel /æ/ as in “cat,” then /b/ with both lips closed, then /stræk/ sequence ending with /s/.
Two common errors: (1) Substituting /æbˈtræks/ by misplacing the /t/ or mispronouncing the /str/ cluster as separate sounds; (2) voicing the final -s as /z/ in plural noun form. Correction: keep /ˈæb.stræks/ with a voiceless /s/ at the end, and practice the /str/ cluster by starting with /s/ and sliding to /t/ without vowel release. Use a quick practice drill: say /ˈæb./ /stræks/ in quick succession, then without the vowel break. Focus on crisp /t/) preceding /s/ cluster.
In US, UK, AU, /ˈæb.stræks/ remains close, but US often reduces /æ/ slightly in unstressed contexts around the first syllable while UK and AU maintain a fuller /æ/. Rhotic influence is minimal as the word doesn’t include an /r/; however, in some UK dialects, the following consonant may be slightly rounded or the /æ/ in the second syllable may approach /eɪ/ in rapid speech. In Australian English, the /æ/ remains broad but may be slightly more centralized; the final /s/ should stay voiceless. Overall, little difference beyond vowel quality and rhythm.
The difficulty centers on the /æ/ vowel contrasts and the tight /str/ consonant cluster followed by /æks/ in a single syllable. In rapid speech, the /str/ cluster can merge with the /t/ before /s/, causing a blur. Also, many learners trip on sustaining the /æ/ before /ks/ and ending with a clear /s/. Focus on isolating the first syllable /ˈæb/ and then crisp /stræks/ with the /t/ released into the /s/ without an extra vowel.
Is the suffix -s pronounced as /s/ in 'abstracts' regardless of how many consonants precede it? Yes—when used as a plural noun or third-person singular verb, the final -s is a voiceless /s/ sound after the /k/ in /æks/. The surrounding /str/ sequence means you don’t voice the /z/ feel; it remains crisp: /ˈæb.stræks/; no additional vowel or /ɪ/ sound.
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Abstracts comes from the Middle French abstrait, from Latin abstractus, past participle of abstrāhere ‘to draw away, to detach, to separate.’ The root abs- means “away” and tractare means “to drag or draw.” In English, abstract (noun/verb/adjective) has the sense of drawing away attention or extracting essential features. The plural noun abstracts first appeared in print by the 17th century as scholars began publishing short summaries of longer works. Over time, the word widened to include general ideas or qualities detached from concrete specifics, as well as the verb form abstracts meaning “to extract” or “to summarize.” In modern usage, abstracts is common in academic contexts (conference abstracts, abstract summaries) and in legal or art-discussion settings where the idea is to distill or separate essential elements from particulars. The word maintains its core sense of separation or removal from the concrete, while the noun plural marks multiple instances of such concise summaries or acts of abstraction.
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Words that rhyme with "abstracts"
-cts sounds
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