3 syllables: Can, na, bis. Stress on Can.
KAN-uh-buhs
/ˈkænəbəs/
Cannabis is pronounced KAN-uh-buhs (/ˈkænəbəs/). It has three syllables (Can-na-bis), with the stress on "Can". Cannabis is a noun referring to the Cannabis sativa plant and its products, used historically for fiber, medicine, and recreation. In modern language it denotes the plant itself or its psychoactive preparations (marijuana, hemp-derived products). The term is widely used in legal, medical, and everyday contexts, and pronunciation varies slightly by region and usage. It’s often plural in informal speech but treated as a mass noun in some contexts.
nounCannabis is a noun referring to the Cannabis sativa plant and its products, used historically for fiber, medicine, and recreation. In modern language it denotes the plant itself or its psychoactive preparations (marijuana, hemp-derived products). The term is widely used in legal, medical, and everyday contexts, and pronunciation varies slightly by region and usage. It’s often plural in informal speech but treated as a mass noun in some contexts.
"The farmer grew cannabis for hemp fiber and seed production."
"Several countries regulate the sale of cannabis for medical use."
"He refused to discuss his cannabis use in detail."
Pronounce it as /ˈkæ.nə.bɪs/ in US and UK English, with the primary stress on the first syllable. The mouth starts with a short front open vowel /æ/ as in 'cat,' then a schwa-like /ə/ in the second syllable, and a short /ɪ/ in the final syllable before /s/. You’ll keep the /n/ sound between first and second syllables. An audio reference: listen to pronunciation samples in dictionaries or Forvo to hear slight regional variation.
Two frequent errors: (1) Stress misplacement, saying /ˈkæ.nəˈbɪs/ or spreading stress over syllables. (2) Slurring the middle vowel, producing /ˈkæ.nəˌbɪs/ where the second syllable is too prominent. Correction: keep the second syllable as a light, unstressed schwa /ə/, and maintain strong but not overly prolonged first syllable. Practice with minimal pairs and record yourself to hear where emphasis lands.
In US and UK, primary stress on the first syllable: /ˈkæ.nə.bɪs/. US speakers may slightly lengthen the first vowel; UK speakers may reduce the second vowel more, keeping /ə/ as a neutral schwa. Australian English often merges vowels more aggressively, with a quick /æ/ to /ə/ transition and a less pronounced final /s/. Overall, the core pattern remains three syllables with stress on the first, but vowel qualities and consonant timing shift subtly by region.
The difficulty often lies in the middle syllable: the /ə/ (schwa) is very subtle and easy to swallow quickly, making the word sound like two syllables for some speakers. Also, English listeners expect a final /z/ sound with a voiceless s, so some speakers sound like /ˈkæ.nə.bɪz/ instead of /ˈkæ.nə.bɪs/ depending on dialect. Focus on crisp alternation between a light /ə/ and a short /ɪ/ to keep the syllables distinct.
A unique angle: the word can be articulated so that the final /s/ is voiceless without reducing the preceding /ɪ/ too much. In careful speech you might hear /ˈkæ.nə.bɪs/ with a clear but short final consonant. In faster speech, the /b/ can slightly blend with the following /ɪ/ giving a smoother transition. Practice keeping the middle /ə/ neutral while keeping the first syllable stable and the final /s/ clear.
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Cannabis derives from the Latin cannabis, which itself comes from the Greek κάνναβις (kánnabis) and earlier Persian and Indic terms. The root is tied to the hemp plant and fibers used in rope and textiles. The word appears in English by the 18th century, with scientific and pharmacological adoption in the 19th and 20th centuries as cannabis sativa became the formal species name. The term historically carried different connotations across cultures—industrial hemp, medicine, and recreational drug—often influenced by legal and social attitudes toward its use. Over time, cannabis has taken on a broad array of meanings in public discourse, with the connotation shifting from utilitarian plant to a psychoactive commodity in many jurisdictions. First known English usage traces to botanical and medical texts around the 1700s, but broader scientific recognition of the genus Cannabis dates earlier in herbals and pharmacopoeias.
💡 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 "Cannabis" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Cannabis" 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 "Cannabis"
-nes sounds
-ct) 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.
