3 syllables: Ce, fix, ime. Stress on Ce.
SEF-ik-sim
/ˈsɛfɪksɪm/
Cefixime is pronounced SEF-ik-sim (/ˈsɛfɪksɪm/). It has three syllables (Ce-fix-ime), with the stress on "Ce". Cefixime is a broad-spectrum third-generation cephalosporin antibiotic, used to treat a variety of bacterial infections. It is typically prescribed for respiratory, urinary, and certain gastrointestinal infections, and is effective due to its beta-lactam mechanism that inhibits bacterial cell wall synthesis. The word is primarily encountered in medical contexts and pharmacology literature.
nounCefixime is a broad-spectrum third-generation cephalosporin antibiotic, used to treat a variety of bacterial infections. It is typically prescribed for respiratory, urinary, and certain gastrointestinal infections, and is effective due to its beta-lactam mechanism that inhibits bacterial cell wall synthesis. The word is primarily encountered in medical contexts and pharmacology literature.
"The patient was prescribed cefixime to treat a presumed sinus infection."
"Cefixime is taken orally and should be completed as directed by the clinician."
"The study compared cefixime to other antibiotics for efficacy against resistant strains."
Cefixime is pronounced sə-FIK-siːm (US) or sə-FIZ-im in some UK sources. Primary stress falls on the second syllable. Break it into three phonemes: /sə/ + /ˈfɪk/ + /siːm/. The consonant sequence includes a clear /f/ and a long /iː/ before the final /m/. Think: “suh-FIK-sheem,” with the middle syllable carrying the emphasis. Audio examples: consult medical pronunciation resources or dictionary entries for native speaker reference.
Common errors include misplacing the stress (saying ce-FIX-ime with incorrect emphasis), mispronouncing the /fɪk/ cluster as /fi:k/ or /fɪks/ instead of /fɪk/, and slurring the final -ime as /ɪm/ without the long /iː/ before /m/. Correction: place the stress on the second syllable, render the middle as /fɪk/, and use a long /iː/ before the final /m/ (suh-FIK-seem). Use minimal pairs to feel the contrast.
In US and AU, many speakers say /səˈfɪksiːm/ or /ˌsɛfɪkˈsiːm/, with a clear /siːm/ ending and emphasized second syllable. The UK version can tilt toward /sɪˈfɪksɪm/ or /səˈfɪksɪm/ with a slightly shorter vowel in the first syllable and potentially less rhoticity or a different vowel split in /fɪk/. The key variation is vowel quality in the second syllable and the final -ime realization; all maintain two consonants after the /f/ cluster and stress on the second syllable. Listen to regional dictionaries for precise vowel length.
The difficulty lies in the multi-consonant cluster after the second syllable: /fɪk/ followed by a long /siːm/. Non-native speakers may misplace stress, mispronounce the /s/ vs /z/ spectrum in cf-/cefi-, or truncate the final -ime to /-im/. Also, the “ce-” start with a soft /s/ rather than a hard /k/ sound in some dialects before the /f/. Focusing on the second syllable stress and the glide into /siːm/ helps reduce errors.
A unique aspect is the combination /fɪk/ + /siːm/ that challenges learners to hold a short /ɪ/ before a long /iː/ in the same word, without converting to /fɪksəm/ or /fəksim/. Keeping the /k/ hard, not palatalizing, ensures the middle syllable remains crisp. The sequence /siːm/ should be a single, smooth syllable rather than two quick sounds. Practice with audio references to train the exact timing between /k/ and /siːm/.
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Cefixime derives from the Latin prefix ceph- referring to the cephalosporin class, with the -ix- infix linking to old chemical naming conventions, and the suffix -ime common in antibiotic nomenclature (like cefdinir, cefuroxime). The root ceph- traces to the Greek kephalos meaning 'head,' symbolically referencing the drug’s origin in cephalosporin compounds that target bacterial cell walls. The term likely emerged in the 20th century as cephalosporin derivatives were developed for improved oral bioavailability; cefixime itself gained regulatory approval in the late 1980s to 1990s and has since become a widely used oral option. Over time, its labeling and clinical guidelines reflected its spectrum and route of administration, distinct from injectable cephalosporins. The word’s first known appearance in pharmacological literature aligns with early clinical trials and antibiotic compact dictionaries, with subsequent usage expanding across medical practice and pharmacology references.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Cefixime" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "Cefixime"
-ime sounds
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