One syllable: Brass.
bras
/bɹæs/
Brass is pronounced bras (/bɹæs/). It has one syllable (Brass), with the stress on "Brass". Brass is a hard, yellowish-white alloy of copper and zinc, often used for decorative items and musical instruments; the term also refers to the metal itself in a general sense. In everyday language, it can mean boldness or audacity when describing someone’s demeanor, or the brass section of an orchestra. The word is concise and common in both material and musical contexts.
nounBrass is a hard, yellowish-white alloy of copper and zinc, often used for decorative items and musical instruments; the term also refers to the metal itself in a general sense. In everyday language, it can mean boldness or audacity when describing someone’s demeanor, or the brass section of an orchestra. The word is concise and common in both material and musical contexts.
"The brass sculpture gleamed in the sunlight."
"She handled the old brass instruments with care."
"He spoke with brass resolve, not backing down from the challenge."
You pronounce it as /bræs/ in US and AU accents, and /brɑːs/ in many UK varieties. Start with a /b/ sound, then an open front lax vowel as in “cat,” followed by a voiceless /s/. Make sure the /r/ is pronounced with a light, quick consonant for rhotic contexts in US speech. The final /s/ should be crisp, not devoiced. You can listen to a short audio reference from Pronounce or Forvo to anchor the rhythm.
Common errors include lengthening the vowel to /eɪ/ as in “bra,” or turning /æ/ into a more closed /ɪ/ sound. Another mistake is a weak /r/ in rhotic accents, making it sound closer to /bɹæs/ without proper rhoticity. Also avoid adding a silent or extra consonant at the end—keep the /s/ clean. Practice with minimal pairs like “brass” vs “braze” to feel the correct /æ/ and /s/ timing.
In US and AU accents you’ll hear /bræs/ with a short /a/ and pronounced /r/ in rhotic speech. In non-rhotic UK varieties you may perceive a lengthened /ɑː/ but still a distinct /r/less quality in casual speech, closer to /brɑːs/. Some UK learners may drop the /r/ entirely when not in a rhotic context. Overall, vowel height and rhotic presence define the main differences, while the consonants remain /b/ and /s/ consistently.
Two core challenges: the short lax vowel /æ/ can be unstable depending on the speaker’s vowel inventory, and the rhoticity in American English requires precise placement of the tongue to create /r/—which some non-native speakers substitute with a vowel or omit. Another tricky area is producing a crisp final /s/ without voicing or sibilant blending with the previous /æ/. Focus on mouth opening and tongue position to maintain accurate vowel height and a clean /s/.
The word hinges on one short vowel before a sibilant; this makes it highly susceptible to vowel length variation in fast speech. In connected speech, you may hear a tiny vowel reduction or linking to the next word, but for clear pronunciation you should maintain a stable /æ/ for US/AU and a short, open /ɑ/ quality in some UK dialects. The key is a quick, steady /æ/ followed immediately by /s/—no delay or extra vowel.
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- US: pronounced /bræs/, rhotic with a retroflex or bunched /r/. The vowel is lax, near-front open. Maintain a tight jaw and lips around /æ/. - UK: often /brɑːs/ in non-rhotic contexts or with a shorter /ɑ/ in some dialects; may sound like “brahss” depending on region. Keep the /r/ non-inky, with reduced rhotic presence in many traditional varieties. - AU: typically /bræs/, rhotic in more casual speech but still close to US pronunciation; ensure the /æ/ and /s/ are clean and unlinked. IPA anchors: /bræs/ US/AU; /brɑːs/ some UK variants. - General tips: avoid rounding lips excessively; keep vowels relaxed but precise; ensure /r/ only if your accent requires it.
Brass originates from the Old English word bræss or bræs, referring to copper or a copper-containing alloy. The term likely derives from Proto-Germanic *brasam- or *brasaz-, related to burning or shining metal, and it was used to describe copper alloys with a yellowish luster. Over time, the word broadened to designate any copper-zinc alloy used for decorative purposes and, in modern English, to the musical family of instruments made from such alloys. In medieval and early modern English, brass often implied a metal with a sheen suitable for coins, fixtures, and weapon fittings, with zinc-admixed metals becoming common in the 16th century as zinc smelting improved. The sense of “brass” as audacity (boldness) emerged by the 17th century in metaphorical usage, possibly linked to the metal’s hard, unyielding nature and bright, assertive presence. First known printed usage as an alloy descriptor appears in late antique-derived records, with broader adoption across European languages as a term for brassware and, later, the brass section of orchestras. The word’s semantic journey thus moves from material description to symbolic character traits and finally to a specialized musical ensemble reference.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Brass" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Brass" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Brass"
-ass sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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