3 syllables: Ce, fe, pime. Stress on Ce.
SEF-ip-eyem
/ˈsɛfɪpaɪm/
Cefepime is pronounced SEF-ip-eyem (/ˈsɛfɪpaɪm/). It has three syllables (Ce-fe-pime), with the stress on "Ce". Cefepime is a broad‑spectrum cephalosporin antibiotic used to treat serious bacterial infections. It is administered by injection or infusion and works by inhibiting bacterial cell wall synthesis. In clinical use, it is important to pronounce the drug name clearly to avoid dosing or communication errors in fast-paced settings.
nounCefepime is a broad‑spectrum cephalosporin antibiotic used to treat serious bacterial infections. It is administered by injection or infusion and works by inhibiting bacterial cell wall synthesis. In clinical use, it is important to pronounce the drug name clearly to avoid dosing or communication errors in fast-paced settings.
"The patient was started on cefepime after confirming the sensitive bacterial culture."
"During rounds, the pharmacist reminded the team that cefepime should be infused over 30 minutes."
"Cefepime is often chosen for hospital‑acquired infections due to its gram‑negative activity."
Pronounce it as /ˌsɛf.ɪˈpiːm/. Put main stress on the third syllable: cef‑i‑PEEM. Start with /s/ plus a short /ɛ/ vowel, then a quick /f/ blend, followed by /ɪ/ (schwa‑like in rapid speech), and end with /piːm/. Think: Sef-ih-PEEM. Audio cues: emphasize the long /iː/ in the final syllable and keep the /m/ closed at the end. If you’re recording, slow it to three equal beats before speeding up.
Common errors include turning the second syllable into a full syllable with a strong schwa (ce‑FEP‑ime) or flattening the ending so it sounds like 'peem' with a short vowel (/ˈpɛm/). To correct: keep the middle /ɪ/ light and unstressed (cef-i-), and ensure the final /iːm/ has a clear long /iː/ and final /m/. Avoid adding extra syllables or shifting stress to the second syllable.
In US, UK, and AU, the initial /s/ and /f/ sounds stay consistent, but vowel quality shifts subtly. US and AU typically use /ˌsɛf.ɪˈpiːm/, with a clearer /iː/ in the final syllable; UK tends to a slightly shorter first vowel and a comparable final /iːm/. Rhoticity is not a major factor here, but non‑rhotic UK pronunciation may alter the perceived vowel length slightly. Overall, the primary stress remains on the third syllable.
The difficulty comes from the cluster -epi- in the middle and the final long -ime. The middle consonant sequence /fɪ/ or /fi/ can blur when spoken rapidly, and the final /piːm/ requires a held long /iː/ before the final /m/. Learners often misplace stress or merge syllables, pronouncing cef-EP-im or cefep-IME. Focus on three distinct syllables with steady rhythm and practice the final /iːm/ as a single, elongated vowel.
A unique aspect is the precise, non‑slurred final -ime, which carries a long /iː/ before the final /m/. This contrasts with many English words where -e is silent or shortened. You’ll want to avoid reducing the last syllable and ensure the middle is not overly emphasized. Practicing with minimal pairs and recording helps you lock in the clean /ˈpiːm/ ending in context.
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Cefepime derives from the pharmacological naming conventions used for cephalosporin antibiotics. The prefix “cefe-” aligns with the broader cephalosporin family, while the “-pime” component is a typical drug-suffix element used in later‑generation cephalosporins to indicate a newer, more potent agent. The word’s morphology suggests a compound built from a stem referencing its antimicrobial class and a suffix signaling its modern, synthetic creation. Historically, cephalosporins emerged in the mid-20th century from molds of Acremonium (formerly Cephalosporium). Cefepime itself was developed in the late 1980s and approved in the 1990s as a fourth‑generation cephalosporin with enhanced activity against gram‑negative pathogens and good beta‑lactamase stability. The first verifiable uses appear in medical literature and drug labeling during the 1990s, reflecting a shift toward broad‑spectrum agents capable of treating severe hospital‑acquired infections. The pronunciation likely followed the standardized phonetic mapping of cephalosporin names, with emphasis placed on cef-EP-ime, aligning with other -ime suffix pharmacological terms. Over time, the naming has become a stable, widely recognized term in clinical pharmacology and infectious disease practice.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Cefepime" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "Cefepime"
-ime sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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