3 syllables: As, ter, isk. Stress on As.
AS-tur-isk
/ˈæstɚɪsk/
Asterisk is pronounced AS-tur-isk (/ˈæstɚɪsk/). It has three syllables (As-ter-isk), with the stress on "As". Asterisk (noun): a small star-shaped symbol (*) used to indicate footnotes, omissions, or special emphasis. It can also denote multiplication in mathematics. In print, it often marks references or serves as a wildcard. The term is widely recognized across disciplines, from publishing to computing, and its pronunciation is stable in English usage.
nounAsterisk (noun): a small star-shaped symbol (*) used to indicate footnotes, omissions, or special emphasis. It can also denote multiplication in mathematics. In print, it often marks references or serves as a wildcard. The term is widely recognized across disciplines, from publishing to computing, and its pronunciation is stable in English usage.
- You might soft-draw the final /sk/ into /s/ or /k/; ensure you articulate the final /rɪsk/ as a single vowel-ready unit, with the riser of the r and the crisp s-k cluster. - The middle /tə/ can be reduced too aggressively to /tə/ or /tɪ/; keep it as a light schwa /ə/ and deliver a clean /r/ after it. - The initial /æ/ should not become /e/ or /ɑ/; keep the front vowel quality consistent with the /æ/ in “cat.” - Record yourself saying the word in isolation, then in phrases, and finally in sentences to observe transitions and reductions. - Practice with minimal pairs to tune the middle vowel and final consonant cluster.
How to Pronounce Asterisk
"Please see the footnote; it’s marked with an asterisk."
"In programming, the asterisk is used as a multiplication operator and for pointers in some languages."
"The book uses an asterisk to signal omitted text."
Asterisk is pronounced as /ˈæs.tə.rɪsk/ in US and UK English, with stress on the first syllable. Break it into three syllables: AS-ter-isk. The middle vowel is a schwa or reduced /ə/, and the final -isk rhymes with risk. Place your tongue mid-low for the /æ/ at the start, then relax into /ə/ before a crisp /rɪsk/ at the end. Imagine saying “ass-ter-isk,” but don’t overemphasize the t- sound. Listen to native examples to capture the natural rhythm and the subtle stop after AS before the /t/ blend.
Common mistakes include pronouncing as /ˈæstərɪk/ (/æstərɪk/) with a hard k at the end, dropping the final -sk, or merging the middle /tə/ too quickly. Correct it by making the final consonant cluster crisp: /-rɪsk/ with a brief pause after /æs/ and clear /t/ before /ə/. Ensure the middle vowel is /ə/ (schwa) rather than a full /ɜ/ or /ɛ/. Practice with slow, isolated syllables: /ˈæs/ - /tə/ - /rɪsk/.
In general, US, UK, and AU share /ˈæs.tə.rɪsk/ with accent-specific vowel qualities. US rhotics influence the /r/ in /rɪsk/ slightly more conspicuously; UK often has crisper /t/ and shorter /ə/, while AU features a slightly wider vowel space, with /æ/ and /ə/ realizations closer to /æ/ and /ə/ but with a more relaxed jaw. The rhoticity differences affect the post-vocalic /r/ in some dialects; in non-rhotic UK varieties, the /r/ is less pronounced or not pronounced unless followed by a vowel. The overall pattern remains three syllables, with stress on the first syllable.
Difficulties stem from the three-syllable rhythm, the mid syllable /tə/ with a reduced vowel that can be mispronounced as /tæ/ or /ti/, and the final consonant cluster /-rɪsk/ where the /r/ and /sk/ require precise tongue blade positioning to avoid a slurred ending. Another challenge is keeping the stress on the first syllable while maintaining a smooth transition into the schwa. Practicing slow, segmented articulation helps solidify the correct sequence and final cluster.
Yes. People often search for the exact IPA and the stress pattern, since small mispronunciations can change perceived credibility in academic or technical contexts. Providing the exact /ˈæs.tə.rɪsk/ with three clear syllables and a crisp /rɪsk/ helps align content with user expectations. Including audio references and accent variants increases SEO accuracy by matching user queries such as “how to say asterisk,” “asterisk pronunciation,” and “asterisk symbol pronunciation.”
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- US: Rhotic /r/ is pronounced in /rɪsk/, with a lighter, more rounded /ə/ and clear /t/; keep the final cluster tight. - UK: Non-rhotic tendencies may reduce the final /r/ sound; ensure you still deliver the /r/ if followed by a vowel, but in isolation it’s less pronounced; the /t/ is typically crisper; the /æ/ can be a bit more open. - AU: A broader mouth opening for /æ/ and /ə/ with a slightly more relaxed jaw; the /r/ may be weaker in some speakers but still audible in connected speech. IPA guidance: US /ˈæs.tə.rɪsk/, UK /ˈæs.tə.rɪsk/, AU /ˈæs.tə.rɪsk/. - Across all, stress remains on the first syllable; the middle schwa should be neutral; the final /rɪsk/ requires tongue blade near the alveolar ridge, with the tip off the gumline to avoid over-emphasis of /r/.
The word asterisk comes from the Greek asteriskos (little star), formed from asterisk- “little star” plus the diminutive suffix -os. The Greek root aster-/aestr- derives from aster, meaning star, linked to the Proto-Indo-European root *h2ster- meaning star. In Classical Greek, asteriskos referred to a little star used in manuscripts as a note indicator. Latin adopted the term as asteriskus, spreading into Medieval Latin. From Latin, the term entered Old French and then English in the 16th century, primarily in scholarly and typographic contexts. Originally a small star-shaped symbol used in marginalia, its usage expanded with printing technology into footnotes, annotations, and later computer programming. Today, the asterisk remains a versatile typographic symbol with functions in typography, mathematics, computing, and censorship. Its semantic breadth has grown as digital text demands concise annotation and emphasis. First known English attestations appear in scholarly printing practices of the early modern period, aligning with the rise of footnotes and editorial conventions.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Asterisk" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "Asterisk"
-isk sounds
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