2 syllables: Co, deine. Stress on Co.
KOH-deen
/ˈkoʊdiːn/
Codeine is pronounced KOH-deen (/ˈkoʊdiːn/). It has two syllables (Co-deine), with the stress on "Co". Codeine is a narcotic analgesic derived from opium that is used to treat mild to moderate pain and to suppress cough. It is also a prodrug, metabolized in the body to morphine, which provides much of its pain-relieving effect. In medical contexts it is prescribed in limited, controlled doses due to its potential for dependence and side effects.
nounCodeine is a narcotic analgesic derived from opium that is used to treat mild to moderate pain and to suppress cough. It is also a prodrug, metabolized in the body to morphine, which provides much of its pain-relieving effect. In medical contexts it is prescribed in limited, controlled doses due to its potential for dependence and side effects.
How to Pronounce Codeine
"The patient was prescribed codeine for short-term pain relief after surgery."
" She developed a cough and was given a low-dose codeine syrup."
" In some countries, codeine is available over the counter in certain combination products."
Codeine is pronounced Koe-deen with two syllables and primary stress on the first syllable. In IPA US/UK/AU: /ˈkoʊ.diːn/ or /ˈkəʊ.diːn/ for UK and AU, where the second syllable uses a long E sound. Begin with a strong, rounded /k/ followed by a long /oʊ/ or /əʊ/ and end with /diːn/. Mouth position: lips rounded for the /oʊ/ diphthong, tongue high-mid for /oʊ/ transitioning to a high front position for /iː/; the final nasal is not present; the word ends with a long e sound.
Common mistakes include reducing the first syllable to a quick /kə/ or mispronouncing the vowel as a short /o/; or pronouncing the second syllable with a short /ɪ/ instead of the long /iː/ sound. Correct by ensuring /ˈkoʊ/ (US) or /ˈkoʊ/ or /ˈkəʊ/ (UK/AU) carries the diphthong, and the final /diːn/ uses a long E; avoid adding an extra syllable or softening the final nasal. Practice with careful vowel length and a crisp /n/ instead of a nasalized vowel.
In US, UK, and AU, the initial syllable carries strong stress. The main difference is the first vowel: US often uses /koʊ/ (with a clear /oʊ/ diphthong), while UK/AU may lean toward /kəʊ/ with a schwa-influenced onset in rapid speech. The final /ːn/ is a long nasal; rhoticity doesn’t affect the word’s core pronunciation, but connected speech may blur the onset consonants slightly in informal speech.
The challenge lies in the diphthong /oʊ/ or /əʊ/ followed by a long /iː/; the transition between the vowel sounds must be smooth, not clipped. Speakers often misplace the primary stress or shorten the final /iːn/ to /ɪn/. Additionally, non-native speakers may mispronounce /koʊ/ as /ko/ or misplace the tongue for the final nasal. Focus on keeping the /oʊ/ glide clear and ending with a crisp, elongated /iːn/.
Codeine’s signature is the long final vowel /iː/ and the crisp final /n/. The word lacks a strong consonant cluster, but the subtle difference between /koʊ/ and /kəʊ/ can noticeably affect accent perception. Unique to the term is its medical-context usage where precision matters; ensuring the first syllable carries weight and the second lands with a clear long E helps distinguish it from similar-sounding substances.
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- US: Pronounce with a strong /koʊ/ followed by /diːn/. Keep /oʊ/ as a single glide; avoid breaking into /kɔː/ or /ko/. - UK: Often /ˈkəʊ.diːn/ with a more centralized initial vowel; maintain a clear /diːn/ with lengthened E. /ɒ/ sounds are not typical here. - AU: Similar to US, but faster connected speech; maintain a brighter /iːn/; keep /oʊ/ unified rather than splitting. - IPA references: US /ˈkoʊ.diːn/, UK /ˈkəʊ.diːn/, AU /ˈkəʊ.diːn/. - Core idea: keep the diphthong tight, end with a long E, and avoid vowel reduction in formal contexts.
Codeine derives from the Greek komē, meaning “dust” or “powder,” and the Latin suffix -dein indicating a chemical substance (from the Greek -dein, related to ‘having a form or appearance’). The term entered English in the early 19th century as scientists classified morphine-like alkaloids extracted from opium. The modern understanding of codeine emerged as chemists identified it as a natural product alkaloid closely related to morphine but less potent, with a distinct metabolic pathway. Early pharmacology texts describe codeine alongside other opium alkaloids as analgesics and antitussives. Over time, codeine became integrated into prescription and over-the-counter cough syrups in many regions, subject to regulation due to dependence risk and potential for respiratory depression, especially in combination formulations. The historical naming conventions reflect its origin as a coded variant of morphinan alkaloids, with its pharmacological classification persisting into contemporary medicine while regulatory controls have tightened in some countries.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Codeine" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "Codeine"
-ine sounds
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