Anthers are the pollen-bearing parts of a flower's stamen. They are typically yellow or orange and release pollen when mature. In biology contexts, the term is used to discuss plant reproduction and pollination mechanisms rather than everyday speech. The plural form, anthers, refers to more than one such pollen-containing structure.
US & AU accents are Premium
Unlock all accent variations
"The anthers release pollen as the flower matures."
"Researchers examined how the anthers detach pollen grains during pollination."
"In some species, the anthers are attached by a short filament."
"The study compared pollen production in flowers with exposed versus enclosed anthers."
The word anther comes from Middle English antere, from Old French anther, from Latin anthera, from Greek anthēr (ankh, perhaps from a root meaning ‘flower’). The plural -s formation is regular English construction. Historically, anther referred to a part of the stamen bearing pollen. In botanical texts of the 18th and 19th centuries, the term was standard in classifications of plant reproductive organs. The core sense—pollen-bearing component of a stamen—has remained stable for centuries, while usage broadened in botany and plant reproductive biology to discuss pollen release mechanisms, anther dehiscence, and comparative morphology across species. First known usages appear in classical Greco-Roman botanical writings that were later harmonized into Latin scientific nomenclature, with English adoption following scientific translation in the 16th to 18th centuries as botanical science expanded in Europe and then worldwide.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "anthers" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "anthers" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "anthers" and show contrast in usage.
📚 Vocabulary tip: Learning synonyms and antonyms helps you understand nuanced differences in meaning and improves your word choice in speaking and writing.
Words that rhyme with "anthers"
-ers sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
🎵 Rhyme tip: Practicing with rhyming words helps you master similar sound patterns and improves your overall pronunciation accuracy.
You say it as /ˈæn.θɚz/ in US English and /ˈæn.ðəz/ in many UK varieties. The first syllable is stressed with the short a as in 'cat', the second syllable retains a voiced th sound, and the final z is a voiced s-like consonant. Mouth position centers on an initial open front vowel, followed by a dental fricative and a voiced rhotic ending in most dialects. Listen for a light 'er' quality in US English: 'AN-thers' with a schwa-like r-colored vowel.
Common errors include mispronouncing the second syllable as /ðə/ or /dɪ/ and turning the ending into a hard /s/ instead of /z/. Some learners also substitute a voiceless /θ/ or /f/ for the voiced dental fricative /ð/ or misplace stress. Corrective tips: keep the second syllable as /ɚ/ or /ɜː/ depending on accent, ensure the /ð/ sound is produced with the tongue gently touching the upper teeth, and finish with a voiced /z/ rather than a crisp /s/.
In US and many UK accents, you’ll hear /ˈæn.θɚz/ with a rhotic vowel in the second syllable. In non-rhotic UK varieties, the ending may reduce to /ˈæn.θəz/ or even /ˈæn.ðəz/ with a lighter r. Australian English typically renders it as /ˈæn.ðəz/ with a clear dental /ð/ and a rhotic-less final vowel that still sounds like a relaxed /ə/. The main variance is rhoticity and the perceived vowel quality in the second syllable.
The difficulty centers on the diachronic /θ/ vs /ð/ pairing and the rhotic vs non-rhotic realizations of the second syllable. The dental fricative /θ/ or /ð/ demands precise tongue placement between the teeth, which many learners substitute with /t/ or /d/ or /f/. Additionally, the unstressed but audible /ɚ/ or /ə/ vowel can blur in rapid speech, making the end sound uneven. Mastery requires controlled voicing, precise dental contact, and consistent final /z/ voicing.
Yes. The word’s combination of a stressed front vowel, a dental fricative, and a voiced alveolar sibilant makes it a good test case for dental articulation and voicing contrast. Emphasizing the /θ/ or /ð/ as a true dental fricative, then transitioning to the voiced /ɚ/ or /ə/ before a final /z/ helps you train smooth, connected speech. Focus on keeping the second syllable compact and avoiding a heavy 'th' to 'thee' shift.
🗣️ Voice search tip: These questions are optimized for voice search. Try asking your voice assistant any of these questions about "anthers"!
No related words found
