2 syllables: col, loids. Stress on col.
KOH-loydz
/ˈkoʊlɔɪdz/
colloids is pronounced KOH-loydz (/ˈkoʊlɔɪdz/). It has two syllables (col-loids), with the stress on "col". Colloids are substances microscopically dispersed evenly within another substance, forming a stable mixture whose particles are larger than true solutions but too small to settle out quickly. In science, colloids can refer to emulsions, gels, or aerosols, where particles remain suspended due to Brownian motion and interfacial forces. They are central to chemistry, biology, and materials science because their unique phase behavior enables diverse functional systems.
Colloids are substances microscopically dispersed evenly within another substance, forming a stable mixture whose particles are larger than true solutions but too small to settle out quickly. In science, colloids can refer to emulsions, gels, or aerosols, where particles remain suspended due to Brownian motion and interfacial forces. They are central to chemistry, biology, and materials science because their unique phase behavior enables diverse functional systems.
"The scientist studied the colloids in the suspension to understand how particle size affected stability."
"An emulsion is a type of colloid where droplets of one liquid are dispersed in another."
"Food scientists use colloids to create textures and stability in sauces and dressings."
Colloids is pronounced /ˈkɒlɔɪdz/ (US) or /ˈkɒlɔɪdz/ (UK). The primary stress is on the first syllable: KOHL-oys. Start with /ˈkɒl-/, then glide to /ɔɪ/ in the second syllable, ending with /dz/ as in 'zooz' but voiced. Pay attention to the /l/ and the smooth /ɔɪ/ diphthong; you’ll hear a light linking consonant before the /d/. You can listen to native pronunciations on Forvo or YouGlish to feel the rhythm.
Common mistakes: (1) Misplacing the diphthong /ɔɪ/ by sticking to a pure /ɔ/; ensure you glide into /ɔɪ/ rather than stopping at /ɔ/. (2) Flattening the first syllable to a pure /ɒ/ as in ‘col’-like; keep the short /ɒ/ but avoid a clipped vowel. (3) Dropping the final /dz/ and pronouncing as /d/ or /z/ only; keep the voiced affricate /dz/. Practice saying KOHL-oys, not KOHL-oid.
US and UK pronunciation share /ˈkɒlɔɪdz/, with minimal rhyme differences; the main variation is vowel quality in /ɒ/ vs /ɔ/ and the realization of the rhoticity in connected speech. Australian English tends to be less rhotic than some US varieties and vowel shifts can make /ɔɪ/ sound slightly more centralized. In all, keep the /ɒ/ plus /ɔɪ/ sequence, but listen for subtle vowel length and vowel height differences in rapid speech.
Colloids challenges include the /ɒ/ in the first syllable, the /ɔɪ/ diphthong transition, and the final /dz/ cluster which can blur into /z/ or /d/ for many speakers. The transition from /l/ to /ɔɪ/ requires a smooth tongue glide, and the final voiced fricative /dz/ demands precise airflow and voicing. Mastery comes from deliberate practice with slow, then fast repetitions and listening to native models.
Yes—two aspects: the stress pattern stays fixed on the first syllable KOHL-oys, and the second syllable contains a distinct /ɔɪ/ diphthong that glides from mid-open back to high-front; many non-native speakers mispronounce it as /ˈkɒləʊdz/ or misplace the stress. Keeping the two-syllable rhythm and the tight /l/ immediately before the diphthong helps. Listen to scientific lectures for accurate examples.
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Colloid derives from the Greek cola- (meaning glue) and -eidos (resembling). The term was coined in the 19th century to describe substances in which extremely small particles were dispersed in a continuous medium, appearing as a glue-like mixture. Early 20th-century scientists refined the concept of particle size and stability in colloids, distinguishing true solutions from dispersed systems. The word reflects historical developments in colloid chemistry, including colloidal gold and milk emulsions, where the dispersed phase remains suspended rather than dissolving. First known usage in scientific literature appeared in the mid-1800s as researchers observed unusual stability and optical properties in dispersed phase systems, leading to the formalization of colloid science as a field bridging chemistry, physics, and materials science.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "colloids" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "colloids"
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