3 syllables: Cli, to, ris. Stress on to.
kleye-TAW-ris
/klaɪˈtɔɹɪs/
Clitoris is pronounced kleye-TAW-ris (/klaɪˈtɔɹɪs/). It has three syllables (Cli-to-ris), with the stress on "to". As a noun, a noun referring to the small, sensitive female erectile gland located near the anterior junction of the labia, integral to sexual arousal. It is typically described as highly innervated, contributing to pleasurable sensation. In medical and educational contexts, the term is used to discuss anatomy, sexuality, and reproductive health.
nounA noun referring to the small, sensitive female erectile gland located near the anterior junction of the labia, integral to sexual arousal. It is typically described as highly innervated, contributing to pleasurable sensation. In medical and educational contexts, the term is used to discuss anatomy, sexuality, and reproductive health.
How to Pronounce Clitoris
"She studied female anatomy and learned about the clitoris and its role in arousal."
"During the exam, the clinician explained the clitoris is not a part of the urinary system."
"Some educational resources emphasize the clitoris’ internal structures in addition to the visible part."
You say it as /ˈklɪtərɪs/ in US English, with the primary stress on the first syllable. Break it into three sounds: /klɪ/ as in ‘click’ (lip rounding minimal), /tər/ with a quick, clipped /t/ followed by a schwa-like /ər/, and /ɪs/ as in ‘is’. If you’re listening, you’ll hear a short, crisp first syllable, a light second, and a brief final /s/. Audio resources like Oxford or Cambridge audio can help model the rhythm.
Common errors include misplacing the stress (shifting to a second syllable), softening the /t/ to a flap, or mispronouncing the final /s/. To correct: keep primary stress on /ˈklɪ/; sharply release /t/ rather than blending it; end with a crisp /s/ rather than a voiced /z/.
In US English, /ˈklɪtərɪs/ with a rhotic /r/. UK English often has a shorter /ˈklɪtərɪs/ with non-rhotic influence in some speakers; AU tends to be rhotic but with slightly softer /t/ and more open /ɪ/. Focus on rhoticity (US/AU) vs non-rhotic tendencies (some UK accents).
Two main challenges: the cluster /kl/ at the start can trip speakers; the /t/ is alveolar-plosive that must be released clearly; the medial /ər/ can blend into a schwa, making it fast and unclear. Practice with deliberate enunciation of /kl/ and a clean /t/ release, then a crisp /ɹ/ (or /ər/).
The combination of a stressed initial syllable and a light second syllable with a syllabic nucleus requires precise vowel timing: /ˈklɪ/ followed by /tər/—the /ər/ can be reduced; ensure /ɪ/ in the first syllable is clear and not reduced in fast speech.
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The word clitoris derives from the Latin diminutive of the Greek κλῖτορ (klītōr) meaning ‘lump’ or ‘mound’. The term appears in Latin medical texts during the 16th century, borrowing from Greek roots used in classical anatomy to describe various body parts. The exact path into English usage solidified in early modern medical dictionaries, where it was standardized as the technical anatomical term for the female erectile organ. Its semantic evolution remained tightly linked to medical discourse, sexual health education, and anatomical description, avoiding broader metaphorical usage. Over time, the term has become a central feature of reproductive health literacy, though it remains a sensitive term in casual conversation. In contemporary medical terminology, “clitoris” is used consistently to refer to the organ, including its visible glans and internal structures, with attention to cultural and educational contexts to promote accurate understanding of female sexual anatomy.
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Help others use "Clitoris" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "Clitoris" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Clitoris" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Clitoris"
-ris sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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