3 syllables: A, pos, tles. Stress on pos.
uh-PAH-suhlz
/əˈpɑsəlz/
Apostles is pronounced uh-PAH-suhlz (/əˈpɑsəlz/). It has three syllables (A-pos-tles), with the stress on "pos". Apostles is a plural noun referring to individuals sent on a mission, especially the twelve followers chosen by Jesus in Christian tradition. It can also denote early Christian messengers or missionaries in general. The term carries historical and religious significance and is often used in scholarly or liturgical contexts.
nounApostles is a plural noun referring to individuals sent on a mission, especially the twelve followers chosen by Jesus in Christian tradition. It can also denote early Christian messengers or missionaries in general. The term carries historical and religious significance and is often used in scholarly or liturgical contexts.
"The Apostles traveled far and wide to spread the message."
"In the early church, the Apostles played a crucial leadership role."
"Several letters in the New Testament are attributed to the Apostles."
Pronounce as /ˈæp.əˌsoʊlz/ in General American, with primary stress on the first syllable and secondary stress on the third syllable. The 'ap' sounds as in 'apple,' 'a' as a short lax vowel, 'post' is not pronounced as a single unit here, and the final 'les' sounds like 'lohz' with a long o and z at the end. Audio reference: you can compare with Cambridge or Forvo pronunciations labeled 'Apostles' to hear the //ˈæp.əˌsoʊlz// rhythm and the final z sound.
Two common errors: (1) pronouncing it as 'APE-stools' by misplacing the /p/ and turning the second syllable into a strong 'oo'–sound; correct it by keeping the middle vowel as a schwa /ə/ and using /soʊlz/ for the final. (2) Dropping the /ə/ in the second syllable, making it 'AP-stless' or 'AP-stoels.' Practice by isolating /ˈæp.əˌsoʊlz/ and drilling the middle /ə/ with a light, quick, relaxed tongue.
In US English, you’ll hear /ˈæp.əˌsoʊlz/ with a rhotacized /ɹ/ quality in American accents less relevant here; primary stress remains on the first syllable, with a clear /oʊ/ in the final. In UK English, you might hear /əˈpɒs.əlz/, with a reduced initial 'a' and a short first vowel and a less prominent final vowel. Australian English often uses /ˈæp.əˌsəʊlz/ with a smoother, more centralized /ə/ in the middle and a clear /əʊ/ for the final, depending on the speaker's vowel shifts.
Key challenges: balancing the two unstressed vowels in the middle syllable /ˈæp.ə/ and keeping the final /ˈsoʊlz/ from turning into a clipped 'sohls.' The transition from the schwa to the long /oʊ/ relies on relaxed jaw posture and precise tongue position, else it becomes 'A-pol-stels.' Drop the middle vowel only briefly, then reopen the mouth slightly to sustain clarity for /soʊlz/.
In standard pronunciation, the primary stress sits on the first syllable 'AP-' or 'A-' depending on speaker, with secondary emphasis on the third syllable '-so-'. The prefix itself does not change the overall stress pattern from /ˈæp.əˌsoʊlz/ to a different scheme; the rhythm remains a 3-syllable sequence with the final -les treated as a single syllable.
🗣️ Voice search tip: These questions are optimized for voice search. Try asking your voice assistant any of these questions about "Apostles"!
US vs UK vs AU differences: • US: /ˈæp.əˌsoʊlz/ with clear /oʊ/ and an audible schwa; more rhotic neutralization; middle syllable stable as /ə/. • UK: /əˈpɒs.əlz/ or /əˈpɒs·əlz/ with a shorter, darker first vowel and a lighter 'o' in the final; final syllable merges slightly with preceding consonants. • AU: /ˈæp.əˌsəʊlz/ often shows a more centralized /ə/ in the middle and a clear /əʊ/ in the final; slight vowel raising in some speakers; non-rhotic tendencies in some contexts. Reference IPA for each variant and aim for consistent final /lz/ cluster clarity.
Apostles derives from Latin apostolus, which itself comes from Ancient Greek apostolos (apostolos), meaning 'one who is sent, messenger.' The Greek term is from apostellō, 'to send away, send forth,' from apo- 'off' and stellein 'to set, place.' In early Christian usage, apostolos designated the twelve men chosen by Jesus to preach and witness his teachings. Over time, the sense broadened to include any designated messenger or missionary of a religious movement. In English, apostle appeared in the 14th century, often with capital A when referring specifically to the Twelve or sacred messengers, and with lowercase a when used in more general or metaphorical senses. The term has retained its core sense of authorized representation and mission, though modern usage can sometimes refer to prominent religious leaders or organizational founders. First known English uses appear in religious writings and translations of biblical texts, where apostle is consistently tied to formal commissioning and authority to spread the faith.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "Apostles" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "Apostles" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Apostles" 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 "Apostles"
-les sounds
-els 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.
