3 syllables: Ae, ro, bics. Stress on ro.
ur-OH-biks
/ɚˈoʊbɪks/
Aerobics is pronounced ur-OH-biks (/ɚˈoʊbɪks/). It has three syllables (Ae-ro-bics), with the stress on "ro". Aerobics is a noun referring to a vigorous physical exercise program, often conducted to music, designed to improve cardiovascular fitness and endurance. The term blends aerobic exercise with a class format, emphasizing rhythmic movements, coordinated breathing, and sustained effort for measured performance. It denotes a specific activity type that gained popularity in the fitness culture of the 20th century and remains a common exercise modality today.
nounAerobics is a noun referring to a vigorous physical exercise program, often conducted to music, designed to improve cardiovascular fitness and endurance. The term blends aerobic exercise with a class format, emphasizing rhythmic movements, coordinated breathing, and sustained effort for measured performance. It denotes a specific activity type that gained popularity in the fitness culture of the 20th century and remains a common exercise modality today.
"She joined an aerobics class to boost her cardio health."
"The instructor led the group through a high-energy aerobics routine."
"After years of aerobics, he noticed improved stamina and balance."
Pronunciation: /ˌeɪ.rəˈbɒ.bɪks/ (US: /ˌeɪ.rəˈboʊ.bɪks/). Primary stress is on the third syllable ‘-rob-’ or second vowels sequence depending on dialect; in general expect a stress on the ‘ro’/‘rob’ portion. Start with 'ay' as in 'day', then a schwa or rhotacized 'ə' before the 'rob'—/ˈeɪ.rəˈbɒ.bɪks/ (UK) or /ˌeɪ.rəˈboʊ.bɪks/ (US) with the final 'biks' sounding like 'biks.' Audio references: consult pronunciation resources from Pronounce, Forvo, and YouGlish for native speaker audio to hear subtle vowel shifts.
Common errors: 1) Stress misplacement—putting primary stress on the last syllable instead of the '/rob/' cluster. Correction: mark the primary stress on the second syllable in many dialects: /ˌeɪ.rəˈbɒ.bɪks/. 2) Vowel color in the first syllable—pronouncing /ˈeə.rə/ instead of /ˌeɪ.rə/. Correction: use the long -ay- sound /eɪ/. 3)Ending consonant cluster confusion—slurring /-bɪks/ into /-bɪk/ or /-ɪks/. Correction: clearly release the /ks/ sequence with a light sibilant. Listen to native speakers for subtle timing and articulation.
Differences: US tends to use /ˌeɪ.rəˈboʊ.bɪks/ with a rhotic 'r' and an elongated boʊ vowel; UK often /ˌeə.rəˈbɒ.bɪks/ with a non-rhotic r and broader a in -bɒ-; Australian typically /ˌeɪ.rəˈbɒ.bɪks/ with a flat, clipped vowels and non-rhotic r. Pay attention to the second vowel: US favors /oʊ/ vs UK/AU /ɒ/. Consonant clarity of /ks/ is similar across dialects. 2–3 listening examples from Pronounce or YouGlish can help map these shifts.
The difficulty lies in the multi-syllabic rhythm and the mid-word vowel shifts: the second syllable uses a reduced vowel and the third syllable carries primary stress, which can be tricky in rapid speech. The final /ɪks/ or /ɪks/ combination requires crisp release and an audible /s/ at the end. For learners, practice separating syllables slowly, then progressively speed up while maintaining accurate vowel quality and syllable timing.
A common unique query is whether the word should sound like ‘aero’ (air-oh) or ‘aero-’ as in ‘aeronautics.’ For aerobics, the first syllable uses a long /eɪ/ as in 'day' and the second syllable reduces to /rə/ or /rə/, not a full ‘air’ sound. The word is best heard with a clear /eɪ.rə/ onset, followed by /ˈboʊ/ or /ˈbɒ/ depending on dialect, then /bɪks/ or /bɪks/ ending.
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- US: rhotic /ɹ/ in most contexts; try a slightly rounded /oʊ/ in /boʊ/; ensure the voiceless /s/ remains crisp. - UK: non-rhotic, so the r at the end of the syllables is not pronounced; /ɒ/ in /bɒ/ is more open, and /eɪ/ still at the start. - AU: often non-rhotic; tends to have a flatter /ɒ/ and a tense /ɜː/ or /ə/ in unstressed vowels, but generally align with UK patterns on the r and vowel quality. Use IPA guides when listening to native speakers, and mimic mouth positions precisely to reproduce the target vowels.
Aerobics derives from the Greek prefix aero- meaning ‘air’ or ‘oxygen’ and the suffix -bios from bios meaning ‘life,’ combined to form a notion of life in the air or with oxygen. The term was popularized in the 1960s–1970s by physician and scientist Dr. Kenneth H. Cooper, who used aero- to denote the oxygen-dependent nature of sustained activity. Cooper’s 1968 book Aerobics explained how continuous, oxygen-using exercise could improve cardiovascular health, and the concept quickly evolved into the branded fitness class format. The word entered common usage as group exercise classes emphasizing rhythmic, high-energy movement set to music, often marketed as a holistic health activity rather than mere workouts. Over time the term broadened to include various forms of aerobic exercise, from step routines to dance-inspired workouts, while retaining its core emphasis on steady, oxygen-based energy production. First known uses in medical and fitness literature appear in the late 20th century, aligning with the explosion of gym culture and organized group classes.
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Words that rhyme with "Aerobics"
-ics sounds
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