One syllable: cloud.
klowd
/klaʊd/
cloud is pronounced klowd (/klaʊd/). It has one syllable (cloud), with the stress on "cloud". Cloud, in everyday use, refers to visible liquid droplets suspended in the atmosphere, forming a recognizable mass and often producing precipitation. More broadly, it denotes a networked computing service model where data and applications reside on remote servers accessed via the internet. This entry covers the word's standard pronunciation, usage, and refinement for expert-level learners.
Cloud, in everyday use, refers to visible liquid droplets suspended in the atmosphere, forming a recognizable mass and often producing precipitation. More broadly, it denotes a networked computing service model where data and applications reside on remote servers accessed via the internet. This entry covers the word's standard pronunciation, usage, and refinement for expert-level learners.
"A low, gray cloud drifted across the horizon after the rain."
"Many organizations store data in the cloud to avoid local hardware costs."
"The cloud dispersed, revealing a bright blue sky."
Cloud is pronounced /klaʊd/. Start with an initial 'k' PLAUSIBLE plosive, then a smooth, back-rounded 'l' following the onset, and finish with a diphthong /aʊ/ as in 'how' before an /d/. The mouth begins slightly open, lips neutral, then the vocal tract adds the /aʊ/ glide. Think 'cl' + 'owd' in a single smooth syllable. IPA: /klaʊd/.
Common errors: (1) turning /aʊ/ into a pure /o/ or /ɔ/; (2) inserting an extra vowel after /d/ (e.g., 'clow-duh'); (3) mispronouncing the /l/ as a dark, back-of-tongue 'l'. Correction: keep the /aʊ/ diphthong tight, end with a clean alveolar stop /d/ immediately after, and produce a light, clear /l/ with the tongue blade contacting the alveolar ridge. Practice by isolating /klaʊ/ then adding the final /d/ in a single flow.
US, UK, and AU share /klaʊd/ but subtle differences exist: US typically rhotic with a clear /d/ ending and a slightly tenser /aʊ/; UK may have a marginally shorter /aʊ/ with crisper /d/?; AU often mirrors UK but can feature a more centralized vowel quality and a relaxed finishing /d/. Overall, the nucleus vowel remains /aʊ/, but vowel length, vowel quality, and intonation cues vary slightly by region.
The difficulty centers on the tight transition from the hard onset /kl-/ to the closing /aʊ/ diphthong and then the final dental /d/. The /l/ can blur if the tongue tip leaks into the alveolar ridge; the /aʊ/ diphthong requires a rapid shift from lower jaw to high vowel gesture while maintaining lip rounding. Coordinating these three phases in one syllable is challenging for non-native speakers and speakers with strong American English /l/ influence.
Emphasize the single-syllable integrity: the onset cluster /kl/ should be tight and light, then glide into /aʊ/ with a smooth jaw and lip shape, finishing with a crisp /d/. Practically, keep the tongue blade high for the /l/, avoid a heavy alveolar burst after /aʊ/, and ensure you close with a marked but not explosive /d/. This combination yields natural, native-like cloud pronunciation.
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US/UK/AU differences: • US: more rhotic feel, crisp /d/ closure, slightly tenser /aʊ/; lip rounding moderate. • UK: often shorter /aʊ/ with crisper consonants, less lip rounding; non-rhotic tendencies in regional speech may affect surrounding vowels. • AU: similar to UK but often more relaxed vowel quality; a touch more vowel centralization; practice with vowel shifts to match your target region; maintain /klaʊd/ as a single syllable with controlled timing.
Cloud comes from the Old English clūd or clūdian, connected to the Proto-Germanic *klūdōn
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "cloud" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "cloud" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "cloud" and show contrast in usage.
📚 Vocabulary tip: Learning synonyms and antonyms helps you understand nuanced differences in meaning and improves your word choice in speaking and writing.
Words that rhyme with "cloud"
-oud sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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