2 syllables: cir, ce. Stress on cir.
SUR-see
/ˈsɝsiː/
circe is pronounced SUR-see (/ˈsɝsiː/). It has two syllables (cir-ce), with the stress on "cir". Circe is a mythic enchantress from Greek legend, famed for turning rivals into animals with magical potions. In modern usage, Circe can reference a powerful, seductive woman or an alluring but dangerous figure. The name itself carries a sense of mystery and transformative charm, often invoked in literary or scholarly discussion of Homeric and Roman adaptations.
Circe is a mythic enchantress from Greek legend, famed for turning rivals into animals with magical potions. In modern usage, Circe can reference a powerful, seductive woman or an alluring but dangerous figure. The name itself carries a sense of mystery and transformative charm, often invoked in literary or scholarly discussion of Homeric and Roman adaptations.
- You might flatten the first vowel to a lax /ɪ/ as in 'sir' versus 'sick'; keep the /ɜː/ sound steady and tense to avoid 'circee' or 'sir-SEE'. - The /r/ should be rhotic but not overemphasized; aim for a smooth, lightly rolled or tapped /r/ depending on your dialect. - Ensure the second syllable uses a short /ɪ/ or /i/; avoid /iː/ that lengthens the ending.
"In the Odyssey, Circe turns Aeaea’s sailors into swine, then aids Odysseus on his journey."
"The novel paints Circe as a complex figure, both alluring and formidable."
"Her speeches had the Circe-like ability to enchant and unsettle her listeners."
You say Circe as /ˈsɜːrsi/ in US English and /ˈsɜːsi/ in UK and Australian English. The first syllable is stressed, with the vowel like 'sir' in 'sir' and the second syllable is a short 'si' as in 'see' without the E. Mouth position: start with an open mid-central vowel, then glide into a clear 'r' before a light 'si' ending.
Common errors include flattening the first syllable to a lax schwa (cue: /ˈsɪrsi/), misplacing the /r/ so it doesn’t have the correct rhotic quality, and aging the final /i/ as a long vowel. To correct, practice /ˈsɜːrsi/ with a longer, tense /ɜː/ in the first syllable and a crisp, unstressed /ɪ/ or /i/ in the second syllable. Focus on keeping the second vowel short and avoiding a trailing vowel sound like /iː/.
In US, /ˈɜrsi/ with rhotic /r/. UK and AU drop some rhoticity in non-rhotic contexts, yielding /ˈsɜːsi/ with a longer /ɜː/ and a less pronounced /r/. Australians tend to maintain a more rounded /ɜː/ and a crisp /r/ when intervocalic, but often reduce linking r in some accents. Overall, the main difference is vowel quality and rhotic presence, not the basic syllable count.
Key challenges are achieving the mid-central /ɜː/ vowel in the first syllable, producing a clear /r/ without over- or under-articulating, and ensuring the second syllable ends with a short /i/ rather than a long /iː/. The sequence /rsi/ can trigger confusion about where the /r/ ends and the /si/ begins. Practicing minimal pairs helps solidify the short final vowel and the crisp consonant boundary.
No. Circe is pronounced with all letters sounded: two syllables /ˈsɜːrsi/ in most English dialects. The difficulty is not silent letters but the precise vowel quality and rhoticity. Emphasize the syllable break after /sɜː/ and keep the second syllable short and crisp without a trailing vowel.
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- US: rhotic /r/ in all positions; keep /ɜː/ closer to 'bird' vowel, then crisp /si/ ending. - UK: non-rhotic tendencies, so /ˈsɜːsi/ with a less pronounced /r/; keep the /ɜː/ long and a clear, short /si/. - AU: rhotic tendencies but often less /r/ linking; aim for /ˈsɜːsi/ with a reliable, non-rolling /r/ and a flat /i/. Refer to IPA for precise vowels and consonant shaping.
Circe originates from ancient Greek Κίρκη (Kírkē), a daughter of Helios and Perse, often associated with magical knowledge and the craft of transformation. The earliest literary mentions are in Homer’s Odyssey, where Circe resides on Aeaea and uses a potion to transform men. The name may be related to the Greek word korizein, meaning to curl or bend, or keirein, meaning to move or turn, hinting at her transformative power. Through classical literature, Circe evolved from a local enchantress figure to a symbol of magical femininity, witchcraft, and ambivalent power. Roman adaptations and later European traditions broaden Circe’s role, portraying her as manipulative yet learned, sometimes tragic, and frequently challenging male protagonists. In modern times, Circe appears in poetry, novels, and contemporary media, often as a nuanced antihero or a symbol of metamorphosis and temptation. The term “Circe” can also function as a cultural shorthand for a charismatic but perilous temptress, or for stories that explore the tension between charm and danger. First known use in English literature aligns with translations of Greek myth, popularized in the Renaissance and reinforced by 19th- and 20th-century scholarship and fiction.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "circe" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "circe" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "circe"
-ace sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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