3 syllables: Bel, li, cose. Stress on Bel.
BEL-uh-kohs
/ˈbɛləˌkoʊs/
Bellicose is pronounced BEL-uh-kohs (/ˈbɛləˌkoʊs/). It has three syllables (Bel-li-cose), with the stress on "Bel". Bellicose is an adjective describing a warlike or aggressively hostile nature or manner. It characterizes individuals or rhetoric that are ready to fight, displaying belligerence rather than diplomacy. In usage, it often appears in formal writing to describe attitudes, statements, or actions that provoke conflict.
adjectiveBellicose is an adjective describing a warlike or aggressively hostile nature or manner. It characterizes individuals or rhetoric that are ready to fight, displaying belligerence rather than diplomacy. In usage, it often appears in formal writing to describe attitudes, statements, or actions that provoke conflict.
- You often misplace the stress on the first syllable, producing be-LI-cose instead of be-LI-cc—correct by tapping the second syllable with a pause and saying the word aloud as be-LLI-cose. - Many learners soft-pedal the /k/ before o, sounding like /t/ or /s/. Ensure the /k/ is a clear voiceless stop /k/ before the /oʊ/ or /əʊ/. - The final -ose is typically an /oʊs/ or /oʊz/ depending on accent; practice the long o followed by crisp /s/. Tip: record yourself and compare to audio references; use minimal pairs with other -ose words to refine final consonant clarity.
How to Pronounce Bellicose
"The bellicose speeches inflamed tensions between the rival nations."
"Her bellicose stance at the negotiations made a peaceful resolution seem unlikely."
"The general dismissed the attack as bellicose posturing, not policy."
Bellicose is pronounced be-LLI-cose, with primary stress on the second syllable. In IPA: US/UK/AU: bə-ˈlɪk.əˌsoʊs (US) or bə-ˈlɪk.əˌsəʊs (UK/AU). Start with a schwa followed by a light 'li' and end with 'koze' (rhymes with 'rose'). Muzzle the 'e' slightly, keep the 'c' soft as 'k', and finish with a long 'oʊ' followed by an 's'. Audio reference you can check: Pronounce or dictionaries with audio.
Common errors: (1) Stressing the first syllable be-LLI-cose instead of be-LI-; (2) treating the 'c' as soft 's' instead of hard 'k' before 'o'—pronounce 'k' sound; (3) mispronouncing the final 'ose' as 'ose' like 'rose' instead of 'oh-s' with a long o and z-s. Correction: emphasize be-LI as the stressed syllable, pronounce the 'c' as a hard /k/ + /oʊ/ then /s/. Use IPA guides and listen to native examples for accuracy.
US: /bəˈlɪkəˌsoʊs/ with a rhotic /r/ and clear /oʊs/. UK: /bəˈlɪk.ə.səʊs/ with non-rhotic r and more clipped vowels; AU: /bəˈlɪk.ə.sɔːs/ or /bəˈlɪk.ə.səʊs/, with broader vowel quality and sometimes a schwa less reduced. The key is where the stress lands and the final vowel length: US tends to longer /oʊs/, UK often /əʊs/. Listen to Pronounce or Forvo for nuanced vowels.
The word challenges you with multiple segments: a stressed mid syllable, a hard /k/ spelled 'ck' before 'o', and the mixed vowel sequence /ɪkə/ followed by /soʊs/. The cluster can cause misplacement of stress, leading to be-LI-cose or be-LEK-oze. Focus on the lapse between the /l/ and /ɪ/ and maintain a crisp /k/ before the /ə/ or /oʊ/ depending on accent. Use careful IPA listening to refine each segment.
A unique query is whether the word ends with a voiced /z/ or voiceless /s/ in rapid speech. In careful speech, it ends with /s/ after /oʊ/ (‑soʊs), not a voiced /z/. In rapid connected speech, you may hear a subtle assimilation, but the standard pronunciation remains /bəˈlɪkəˌsoʊs/ with a final voiceless /s/. Ensure your final consonant is crisp and not lenited.
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- US: rhotic /r/ is maintained with a darker vowel before r; US speakers may have a more pronounced schwa in /lə/ and a clearer /oʊs/. - UK: non-rhotic r; vowels tend to be shorter and crisper; /əʊ/ in final syllable; more clipped intonation overall. - AU: more open front vowels; final syllable often more centralized; /ɔː/ or /əʊ/ depending on speaker. IPA anchors: /bəˈlɪkəˌsoʊs/ (US), /bəˈlɪk.ə.səʊs/ (UK), /bəˈlɪk.ə.sɔːs/ (AU). Practice by listening to regional speakers and mimicking mouth positions.
Bellicose comes from the Latin bellicosus, from bellicosus ‘warlike,’ derived from bellum ‘war’ (root in bell-). The form bellicosus appeared in Medieval Latin and late Latin as a descriptor for warlike behavior, often used in moralizing or descriptive prose. The root bell- meaning war also appears in English words like bellum (rare in English), bellicose, rebel, and antebellum. The English borrowing of bellicose gained traction in the 17th–18th centuries through literary and political texts that sought a latinate, formal register to describe belligerent rhetoric. Over time, bellicose retained its sense of aggression and readiness to fight, though it can be used more tongue-in-cheek in modern journalism or analysis when describing performative posturing rather than actual combat readiness.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "Bellicose" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "Bellicose" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Bellicose" 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 "Bellicose"
-ous 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.
