2 syllables: Cour, age. Stress on Cour.
KUR-uhj
/ˈkɝədʒ/
Courage is pronounced KUR-uhj (/ˈkɝədʒ/). It has two syllables (Cour-age), with the stress on "Cour". Courage is the quality of facing danger, fear, or pain with resolve and resilience. It denotes bravery in challenging situations, often requiring self-control and moral strength. Used across contexts from personal risk to moral advocacy, it conveys a commendable steadiness under pressure.
nounCourage is the quality of facing danger, fear, or pain with resolve and resilience. It denotes bravery in challenging situations, often requiring self-control and moral strength. Used across contexts from personal risk to moral advocacy, it conveys a commendable steadiness under pressure.
How to Pronounce Courage
"Her courage in speaking up for her beliefs inspired the group."
"It takes everyday courage to admit mistakes and start again."
"The rescuers showed remarkable courage during the flood."
Courage is pronounced /ˈkɜːrɪdʒ/ in US and /ˈkɒrɪdʒ/ in UK/Australia, with primary stress on the first syllable. Start with a hard /k/ release, then an open-mid back /ɜː/ (US) or /ɒ/ (UK/AU) as the vowel, followed by /r/ (unrhotic in some varieties) and end with /d͡ʒ/ as in “judge.” Keep a light, brief /r/ before the /ɪd͡ʒ/ cluster. For practice, feel the tongue graze high behind the teeth for the /ɜː/ or /ɒ/ and finish with a precise /d͡ʒ/.”,
Common mistakes include misplacing the vowel: confusing /ˈkɜrɪdʒ/ with /ˈkɒrɪdʒ/ in US or UK due to vowel shifts, and blending /r/ with the following /ɪ/ leading to /ˈkɜrɪd͡ʒ/ versus /ˈkɒrɪd͡ʒ/. Another error is over-syllabifying the final /d͡ʒ/, sounding like /d͡ʒɪd͡ʒ/. Correct by keeping the /ɜː/ or /ɒ/ sound tight, ending the /r/ before /d͡ʒ/, and maintaining single-stress on first syllable.”,
In US English, /ˈkɜːrɪdʒ/ with rhotic /r/ and often a tense /ɜː/. UK/AU typically use /ˈkɒrɪdʒ/ with a shorter, clipped /ɒ/ and non-rhotic or light rhoticity depending on speaker. Australian tends toward /ˈkɒːrɪd͡ʒ/ with a broader /ɒ/ and often a longer vowel. The final /d͡ʒ/ remains constant; the main variation is the vowel in the first syllable and rhoticity. Emphasize 1st syllable stress in all, but vowel quality shifts across accents.”,
Difficulties stem from the vowel in the first syllable and the /ɜː/ or /ɒ/ quality, plus the /r/ following that vowel, which affects tongue position. The final /d͡ʒ/ cluster requires precise contact between the tongue blade and palate. People often mispronounce as /ˈkɔrɪd͡ʒ/ or /ˈkɜːd͡ʒ/, dropping the accurate middle vowel length. Focus on distinct vowel articulation and a crisp /d͡ʒ/ onset after the /r/.
A unique feature is the variability of the first vowel: US /ɜː/ and UK/AU /ɒ/ can shift based on speaker, regional behavior, and adjacent consonants. Another nuance is the linking of /r/ in rhotic contexts, especially in US speakers who maintain a pronounced /ɹ/, and the rapid transition to the /d͡ʒ/ at the syllable boundary. Paying attention to the vowel height and rhotic release helps Precision.
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Courage traces to Old French courage, from Latin cor, cordis meaning ‘heart.’ The Middle English form couraige evolved through Old North French courage or curage, carrying the sense of ‘heart, innermost feelings, vitality’ and later ‘bravery.’ In medieval Europe, courage fused moral and martial dimensions, linking the heart’s resolve with heroic deeds. By the 14th–15th centuries, courage denoted moral steadiness and fortitude in the face of danger, not just physical bravery. Over time, the word broadened to include everyday perseverance and resilience, culminating in contemporary use that spans personal, social, and ethical courage. First known use in English appears around the 13th century, with evolving senses from “heart, spirit” to “bravery and boldness.”
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Courage" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Courage" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Courage"
-age sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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