3 syllables: A, var, ous. Stress on A.
AV-uh-ruhs
/ˈævəɹəs/
Avarous is pronounced AV-uh-ruhs (/ˈævəɹəs/). It has three syllables (A-var-ous), with the stress on "A". Avarous is a rare adjective meaning characterized by extreme greed or insatiable desire, especially for wealth or material gain; it conveys a negative moral judgment. It is used to describe actions, attitudes, or intents driven by avarice. The term emphasizes an excessive, often unscrupulous pursuit of more, beyond what is necessary or prudent.
adjectiveAvarous is a rare adjective meaning characterized by extreme greed or insatiable desire, especially for wealth or material gain; it conveys a negative moral judgment. It is used to describe actions, attitudes, or intents driven by avarice. The term emphasizes an excessive, often unscrupulous pursuit of more, beyond what is necessary or prudent.
How to Pronounce Avarous
"Her avarous uncle hoarded wealth during the recession, leaving little for his relatives."
"The board condemned the avarous practices of the company, which prioritized profit over people."
"In literature, avarous villains are often portrayed as masterminds of elaborate schemes for riches."
Pronounce it as /ˈævərəs/. The primary stress is on the first syllable AV-, followed by a schwa in the second syllable and a soft 's' at the end. Mouth position: start with a short front open vowel /æ/ as in 'cat,' then a neutral /ə/ in the second syllable, and finish with a light /s/. Think “AV-uh-ruhs,” with the middle vowel reduced. Audio reference: try hearing /ˈævərəs/ on reputable pronunciation resources and mimic the rhythm. IPA helps you map the vowels and consonants precisely.
Common errors include misplacing the stress (trying AV-uh-ruhs with strong emphasis on the second or third syllable) and mispronouncing the first vowel as /eɪ/ or /e/. Also, dropping the final /s/ or making it a /z/ sound. Correction: set the stress on the first syllable /ˈæv/, keep the middle vowel as a relaxed /ə/ (not full /ɜː/), and end with a clean /əs/ or /ərəs/ depending on accent. Practice by saying ‘AV-uh-ruhs’ slowly, then speed up while keeping the same vowel qualities.
Across US/UK/AU, the primary differences are in rhoticity and vowel reduction. US and AU tend to be rhotic, so the /r/ is pronounced in /ˈævərəs/, while some UK speakers may have a non-rhotic tendency in slower speech, potentially leaving the /r/ less pronounced, closer to /ˈævəəs/. The vowel in the second syllable often reduces to /ə/ in all accents; some UK presentations may lean toward a short /ɪ/ in rapid speech, though this is less common. Overall, the main contrasts lie in rhoticity and subtle vowel length, not in core consonant sounds.
The difficulty comes from the three-syllable structure with a stressed first syllable and a reduced middle vowel. The schwa in the second syllable can be tricky to keep neutral, and the final /s/ requires precise tongue-contact to avoid a voiced /z/ sound in some speakers. Additionally, ensuring the correct short /æ/ quality in the first syllable and avoiding a forced 'ay' diphthong helps maintain accuracy. Practice with slow repetition and IPA cues to stabilize the rhythm.
There is no silent letter in the standard pronunciation of 'Avarous.' All three syllables contribute to the word’s cadence: AV-ə-rəs. The 'a' in the first syllable has a short, tense quality, the middle is a reduced vowel, and the final 's' is a voiceless sibilant. Ensure that none of the letters are muted in quick speech; any silent-letter misconception comes from softening or blending rather than actual silence.
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Avarous derives from the noun avarice, via Old French avarice and Latin avaritia, meaning a greedy desire for wealth. The root is Latin avarus, meaning ‘greedy’ or ‘avid for wealth,’ from avāre, meaning ‘to crave or long for.’ The word entered English in later Middle English and gained distinct adjective use to describe people or behavior marked by greed. While avarice historically centers on wealth, avarous as an adjective emphasizes the character-driven aspect of greed rather than merely describing wealth itself. The term has seen limited but persistent literary usage, often in satirical or moralistic contexts. First known attitudes toward greed in classical texts influenced its romanticized or vilified usage in later English, with modern usage solidifying around moral critique of excessive acquisitiveness. The word’s nuance aligns with similar adjectives like rapacious or grasping, but avarous carries a more pointed ethical judgment. In contemporary prose, avarous is occasionally employed as a stylistic color to condemn financial exploitation or soul-deadening materialism.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Avarous" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Avarous" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Avarous"
-ous sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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