2 syllables: clutch, es. Stress on clutch.
KLUHCH-uhz
/ˈklʌtʃəz/
clutches is pronounced KLUHCH-uhz (/ˈklʌtʃəz/). It has two syllables (clutch-es), with the stress on "clutch". Clutches refers to plural noun form of a device used to grip or seize something quickly, or to a person’s grip or grasp. It can denote a mechanical mechanism in machinery, a tight grasp in a moment of urgency, or a woman’s small handbag. The term emphasizes sudden, firm holding or grabbing action, often under pressure.
Clutches refers to plural noun form of a device used to grip or seize something quickly, or to a person’s grip or grasp. It can denote a mechanical mechanism in machinery, a tight grasp in a moment of urgency, or a woman’s small handbag. The term emphasizes sudden, firm holding or grabbing action, often under pressure.
"The driver engaged the clutches to shift gears smoothly."
"In the crowd, she held onto the railing with stubborn clutches of fear."
"The handbag’s clutches kept slipping from her grasp until she adjusted her grip."
Say KLUT-chiz, with the primary stress on the first syllable.IPA: US/UK/AU: /ˈklʌtʃɪz/. Start with /kl/ as in 'clay' or 'cloak' and then the /tʃ/ as in 'church', followed quickly by a short /ɪ/ and a voiced /z/. Keep the final sound crisp and voiced. A steady, clipped /t͡ʃ/ before /ɪ/ helps avoid a blurred transition between the consonant cluster and the vowel.
Common errors: (1) Over-emphasizing the second syllable making it /ˈklʌtʃɪz/ with an exaggerated /ɪ/; (2) Slurring the /t͡ʃ/ into a vague ‘ch’ or mixing with /s/ leading to /klɪtʃəz/; (3) Losing voicing on the final /z/ or making it a /s/. Correction: keep /t͡ʃ/ crisp, maintain a short /ɪ/ before /z/, and voice the final consonant. Practice by isolating /t͡ʃ/ plus /ɪz/ and then blend with the initial /kl/ cluster.
US: rhotic, clear /ɹ/ isn’t relevant here, but vowel quality can be broader /ʌ/; UK: similar, but a lighter /ɪ/ and more clipped ending; AU: may feature slightly broader vowels and a more open /ʊ/ in some speakers. In all, the main variation is vowel duration and intonation around the final /z/. IPA: /ˈklʌtʃɪz/ (US/UK/AU).
The challenge lies in the /tʃ/ cluster immediately before a short /ɪ/ and the adjacency of the voiced final /z/. The sequence /t͡ʃɪz/ must stay tight and distinct, not turning into /t͡ɕɪz/ or /t͡ʃɪs/. Mastery requires crisp alveo-palatal stop release, short lax vowel, and voicing of the final sibilant. Practicing with controlled speed helps ensure accuracy.
A unique aspect is maintaining the contrast between /t͡ʃ/ and /t/ when quickly followed by /ɪ/; the tongue must relapse to a palato-alveolar posture for /t͡ʃ/ then snap to /ɪ/. The plural suffix /-ɪz/ also vowels softly; don’t over-sustain the /ɪ/—keep it brief before the voiced /z/.
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US: emphasize the /ɪ/ briefly, keep /z/ voiced; UK: slightly crisper /t͡ʃ/ and shorter /ɪ/; AU: more open vowel quality and broader pitch; all share /ˈklʌtʃɪz/ with careful /t͡ʃ/ articulation. IPA keys: US /ˈklʌtʃɪz/, UK /ˈklʌtʃɪz/, AU /ˈklʌtʃɪz/.
Clutches comes from the verb clutch, which itself derives from Middle English clutchen, from Old English clūcian, meaning to press or seize. The noun form emerged to denote a mechanism that grips or holds, especially in machinery and vehicles. By the 17th century, “clutch” described a pedal or lever used to engage a gear, with “clutches” referring to the plural assemblies. In modern usage, the word expanded beyond mechanical meaning to describe a strong grasp or hold, including a moment of opportunity when one must grab onto something quickly. The term is widely used in technical contexts (automotive clutches), fashion (clutch bags), and figurative speech (having something in one’s clutches). The evolution tracks from tactile grabbing to mechanical control and then to metaphorical possession or opportunity, maintaining the core sense of firm, decisive holding. First known use as a noun appears in early modern English automotive and mechanical texts, with broader metaphorical use appearing in later literature and colloquial speech.
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Words that rhyme with "clutches"
-hes sounds
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