2 syllables: Cos, mos. Stress on Cos.
KAHZ-mohs
/ˈkɑzmoʊs/
Cosmos is pronounced KAHZ-mohs (/ˈkɑzmoʊs/). It has two syllables (Cos-mos), with the stress on "Cos". Cosmos is a plural noun referring to the universe considered as a complex and orderly system. It can also denote the cosmos in a broader sense—the whole of space, matter, and time as conceived in science. The term often appears in discussions of astronomy, philosophy, and culture to describe the vast, orderly totality beyond Earth.
nounCosmos is a plural noun referring to the universe considered as a complex and orderly system. It can also denote the cosmos in a broader sense—the whole of space, matter, and time as conceived in science. The term often appears in discussions of astronomy, philosophy, and culture to describe the vast, orderly totality beyond Earth.
"Scientists study the cosmos to understand the origins of galaxies and stars."
"The exhibition explored humanity’s place in the cosmos and our quest for meaning."
"Her writings reflect a sense of wonder at the cosmos and the laws that govern it."
Pronounce as KOZ-mos with the primary stress on the first syllable. IPA: US /ˈkɑːzˌmoʊs/ or /ˈkɒz.maʊs/? Actually correct common is US /ˈkɒz.moʊs/, UK /ˈkɒz.məʊs/, AU /ˈkɒz.məs/. Start with an open back vowel in the first syllable, followed by a schwa or reduced second syllable depending on accent, then a long 'o' in the final syllable. Listen to examples from a pronunciation resource to feel the rhythm.
Common errors:1) Dropping the first syllable stress or misplacing it. 2) Using a clipped or reduced second syllable with a tense vowel instead of a reduced /mə/ or /moʊs/. 3) Merging the final /s/ too softly or voicing it as /z/. Correction: emphasize COZ- (ˈkɒz) and keep the second syllable clear /moʊs/ (US) or /məʊs/ (UK). Practice with minimal pairs like ‘cosmos’ vs ‘cosmoses’ to feel the pattern.
US: /ˈkɒz.moʊs/ with a flat /ɒ/ like 'cot' in many dialects; final /oʊ/ is tense. UK: /ˈkɒz.məʊs/ with /ə/ in the second syllable and a longer /əʊ/ diphthong; rhoticity is less pronounced in careful speech but varies by region. AU: /ˈkɒz.məs/ or /ˈkɒz.mɔs/, with a shorter final vowel and more centralized /ə/ in many speakers. Emphasize first syllable in all, but the second syllable quality shifts: US /moʊs, UK /məʊs, AU /məs/.
The difficulty lies in the two-syllable rhythm with contrasting vowels and the final voiceless /s/. Beginners often misplace the primary stress or flatten the first vowel to an /ɑ/ or /ɒ/ without maintaining accurate length. Another challenge is producing the final /s/ clearly in fluent speech while keeping the middle /moʊ/ or /məʊ/ vowels distinct. Focus on crisp initiation of COZ and a clean, unvoiced /s/.
Cosmos features a stressed first syllable, an unstressed or reduced second syllable depending on accent, and a final sibilant. Unlike ‘cosmology’ where the second syllable carries more weight, cosmos requires a lighter, clearer second half. Pay attention to the transition from the front rounded vowel in COS to the back rounded vowel in MO S, then the trailing sibilant.
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Cosmos derives from the Greek kosmos (κόσμος) meaning “order, arrangement, world,” in contrast to chaos. In ancient Greek philosophy, kosmos signified a harmonious order recognized in the arrangement of the heavens and the natural world. The term passed into Latin as cosmos and later into English, retaining the sense of a universal, ordered system beyond Earth. Early uses in English tied cosmos to astronomy and philosophy; by the 17th–18th centuries, it commonly referred to the entire universe. In modern usage, cosmos often appears in scientific, literary, and cultural contexts to emphasize the vast, interconnected scope of outer space and the laws underpinning it.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "Cosmos" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "Cosmos" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Cosmos" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Cosmos"
-mos sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
🎵 Rhyme tip: Practicing with rhyming words helps you master similar sound patterns and improves your overall pronunciation accuracy.
