3 syllables: Cart, il, age. Stress on Cart.
KAHR-tuh-luhj
/ˈkɑɹtələdʒ/
Cartilage is pronounced KAHR-tuh-luhj (/ˈkɑɹtələdʒ/). It has three syllables (Cart-il-age), with the stress on "Cart". Cartilage is a resilient, semi-rigid connective tissue found in joints and certain structures of the body. It cushions, supports, and shapes areas such as the ears, nose, and between bones, while remaining more flexible than bone. Its matrix consists of collagen fibers embedded in a gel-like ground substance, enabling smooth movement and load distribution.
nounCartilage is a resilient, semi-rigid connective tissue found in joints and certain structures of the body. It cushions, supports, and shapes areas such as the ears, nose, and between bones, while remaining more flexible than bone. Its matrix consists of collagen fibers embedded in a gel-like ground substance, enabling smooth movement and load distribution.
"The knee relies on cartilage to absorb impacts and reduce friction between bones."
"Otolaryngologists study the role of nasal cartilage in shaping the airway."
"Cartilage disorders can lead to joint pain and limited mobility."
Cartilage is pronounced /ˈkɑːr.tɪ.lɪdʒ/. The primary stress is on the first syllable: CAR-til-idge. The middle is a short, unstressed /tɪ/ before the final /lɪdʒ/ cluster, which sounds like -lij. Tip: keep the /r/ light and avoid turning the second syllable into a diphthong; aim for a short, crisp t and a clear final /dʒ/ like in 'j'. Audio reference: you can compare with medical pronunciations on Pronounce or Forvo using “cartilage.”
Common errors: 1) Slurring the middle syllable into a full vowel or turning /tɪ/ into /tiː/; keep it short (/tɪ/). 2) Dropping the final /dʒ/ or pronouncing it as /dʒ/ too softly; ensure a crisp /-lɪdʒ/. 3) Over-emphasizing the first vowel as /ɑː/ or misplacing the /r/; aim for a compact rhotic /ˈkɑːr/. Practice by isolating CAR- and finishing with a clean /lɪdʒ/ via minimal-pair drills like 'cart' vs 'cartage.'
In US, UK, and AU, the core is /ˈkɑːr.tɪ.lɪdʒ/ with primary stress on the first syllable. US tends to rhoticate /r/ in the first syllable; UK and AU are non-rhotic in many contexts, but here /r/ is articulated as an r-colored vowel before a vowel. The vowel in the first syllable is typically a broad /ɒ/ or /ɑː/ depending on speaker, with variability in /tɪ/ and final /lɪdʒ/. Final consonant is consistently /dʒ/ across dialects; tempo and intonation differ, but the phonemic core remains the same.
Several phonetic challenges: the sequence /kɑːr/ followed by /tɪ/ can cause blending, especially if you rush; the /t/ and /l/ together can produce a flap or a light stop if not careful; the final /dʒ/ requires precise tongue position near the palate to avoid a /dʒ/ that sounds like /ʒ/ or /j/. Also, the unstressed middle syllable can reduce, yielding /ˈkɑːr.tɪ.lɪdʒ/ with a quick, clipped middle. Focus on separating the segments slightly while keeping a natural rhythm.
In careful speech, the middle syllable is /tɪ/ followed by /lɪdʒ/. The sequence is not /tiːl/; it is a short, clipped /tɪ/ transitioning quickly into /lɪdʒ/. Practically, you’ll hear a light stop /t/ then a smooth flick into /l/; the tongue briefly touches the alveolar ridge for /t/ and then the lateral /l/ shares the same tongue position as the following /ɪ/.
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Cartilage comes from the late Latin cartilago, which itself derives from cartilagin- meaning cartilage. The Latin term traces to the Proto-Italic kar-ti- or kar-t-il-, with roots in cartilage-bearing connective tissue concepts in ancient medical texts. Early English adoption appears in translations of anatomical treatises in the 16th century, aligning with the rise of modern anatomy. The word filtered into English as a term for the flexible, resistant tissue that lines joints and supports structures, distinct from bone and tendon. Over centuries, medical science refined our understanding of cartilage’s extracellular matrix—rich in collagen and proteoglycans—and its role in joint health, growth plate biology, and degenerative conditions. Contemporary usage spans clinical, anatomical, and developmental contexts, reflecting its essential, yet often tissue-specific, function in the musculoskeletal system.
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Help others use "Cartilage" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "Cartilage" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Cartilage" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Cartilage"
-age sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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