2 syllables: cas, ket. Stress on cas.
KAS-kuht
/ˈkæskət/
casket is pronounced KAS-kuht (/ˈkæskət/). It has two syllables (cas-ket), with the stress on "cas". Casket refers to a small container, typically made of metal, wood, or other material, used to hold or transport valuables, ashes, or the deceased’s belongings. In everyday use, it can denote a decorative box for jewelry or small keepsakes. The word also appears in phrases like “coffin” as a synonym in some contexts, though casket often implies a narrower or more ornamental container.
Casket refers to a small container, typically made of metal, wood, or other material, used to hold or transport valuables, ashes, or the deceased’s belongings. In everyday use, it can denote a decorative box for jewelry or small keepsakes. The word also appears in phrases like “coffin” as a synonym in some contexts, though casket often implies a narrower or more ornamental container.
Correction tips: practice /ˈkæs.kɪt/ in isolation, then in phrases, exaggerating the space between the two vowels first, then tapering to normal speed. Use minimal pairs like 'basket' to solidify two-syllable rhythm without conflating with other similar words. Record and compare, then adjust mouth tension to avoid a fuzzy /ɪ/.
"The heirloom jewelry was stored in a velvet-lined casket."
"The funeral home prepared the ornate brass casket for the service."
"She kept the tiny keepsakes in a wooden casket on her dresser."
Pronounce it as two syllables: CAS-ket, with primary stress on the first syllable. IPA: US UK AU /ˈkæs.kɪt/. Begin with a low, open near-front unrounded vowel for /æ/ as in 'cat', then a clear /s/ immediately before the /k/; finish with a short /ɪ/ and a final /t/. Tip: keep the tongue relaxed on the vowel before /s/ and avoid over-enunciating the second syllable. Audio reference: say the word aloud in isolation and then in a sentence to confirm rhythm.
Common mistakes include merging the two syllables too quickly so it sounds like ‘cass-ket’ with reduced second vowel, or pronouncing the second syllable as /kə/ (kə-zet). Correct this by ensuring a clear /æ/ in the first syllable and a short /ɪ/ in the second, with a crisp /t/. Practice is to say /ˈkæs.kɪt/ slowly, then normalize timing while preserving the vowel qualities.
In US, /ˈkæs.kɪt/ with rhoticity not affecting the word; short /æ/ and /ɪ/ remain stable. In UK, /ˈkæs.kɪt/ similarly, but vowel quality can be slightly tighter and less diphthongal, with less vowel reduction in rapid speech. Australian tends to be closer to US but may feature a marginally broader /æ/ and faster transition between syllables. Overall, the primary stress remains on the first syllable across all three varieties.
The difficulty lies in balancing the two distinct vowel sounds /æ/ and /ɪ/ in two quick syllables, and maintaining a clean /s/ before /k/ without an intrusive vowel. Speakers often slide into /æskɪt/ or reduce /ɪ/ to /ə/. Focus on keeping the /s/ crisp, the /æ/ clear, and the /ɪ/ distinctly heard before the final /t/. IPA reminder: /ˈkæs.kɪt/.
The unique aspect is the potential for a subtle syllabic break that listeners use to parse the two-syllable unit, especially in fast speech. Your goal is to maintain a stable, short second vowel /ɪ/ and not let it drift toward a schwa. In careful speech you’ll hear a crisp /kæs.kɪt/ with a clear /s/ and a non-reduced final /t/.
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Casket comes from Old French cofin or cajet, initially meaning a small box or container. In Middle English, the word evolved to casket or casquet, often appearing in literature to describe a shallow box, sometimes with a lid, used to hold valuables or relics. The transition from cofin to casquet to casket reflects semantic narrowing from a larger coffin-like container to smaller, decorative boxes. The term shares roots with the Latin cassiculum, a diminutive form connected to chest-like containers, and it was influenced by Norman influence on English during the 11th-13th centuries. By early modern English, casket commonly referred to small jewel or trinket boxes, with ‘coffin’ becoming the more portable burial container in everyday usage. First known English attestations surface in the 13th-14th centuries, signifying a practical container rather than a ceremonial urn. In many dialects, casket has retained its ornamental nuance, whereas coffin denotes funerary transport. The word’s evolution mirrors shifting material culture—from wood and metal chests to elaborately adorned keepsake boxes—while maintaining a consistent core meaning: a hinged or lidded container for items of value or significance.
💡 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 "casket" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "casket" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "casket"
-re) sounds
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