3 syllables: Cour, age, ous. Stress on age.
kur-AY-juhs
/kɚˈeɪdʒəs/
Courageous is pronounced kur-AY-juhs (/kɚˈeɪdʒəs/). It has three syllables (Cour-age-ous), with the stress on "age". Courageous is an adjective describing someone who shows bravery or fearlessness in difficult or dangerous situations. It conveys a steady, resilient spirit, often despite risk. In everyday use, it can modify actions, decisions, or character traits, implying boldness with thoughtfulness rather than rashness.
adjectiveCourageous is an adjective describing someone who shows bravery or fearlessness in difficult or dangerous situations. It conveys a steady, resilient spirit, often despite risk. In everyday use, it can modify actions, decisions, or character traits, implying boldness with thoughtfulness rather than rashness.
How to Pronounce Courageous
"She made a courageous decision to speak up for what she believed in."
"The rescuers carried out a courageous mission despite the dangerous conditions."
"It's courageous of you to admit the mistake and try to fix it."
US: /ˈkɔːrɪdʒəs/ or /ˈkɔːrɪdʒəs/ with primary stress on the first syllable. UK: /ˈkɒrɪdʒəs/ with similar stress. AU: /ˈkɒːrɪdʒəs/ or /ˈkɒrɪdʒəs/, keeping stress on the first syllable. Start with the /ˈkɔː/ or /ˈkɒrɪ/ onset, then a quick /dʒ/ sound as in “j” followed by a schwa-less /əs/ ending. Practicing slowly helps lock the rhythm: KOR-ij-us.” ,
Common errors: (1) misplacing stress as on the second syllable; (2) blending the /dʒ/ with an /s/ or /z/ making /dʒəs/ sound; (3) treating the ending as /-us/ instead of /-əs/. Correction tips: keep primary stress on the first syllable: COR-ij-us; produce /dʒ/ clearly as a palatal affricate after /r/; end with a soft, unstressed /-əs/. Try slow, precise articulation: COR-ij-əs.
US: rhotic /r/ after the first syllable and a strong /ɔ/ vowel in the first vowel; UK: shorter /ɒ/ with less rhotic influence, slightly clipped; AU: similar to UK but with broader vowel quality and more unrounded /ɒ/ in some speakers. In all, the /dʒ/ is clear, and the final /əs/ tends toward a lighter, unstressed schwa-like ending in many dialects.
The difficulty lies in coordinating the stressed first syllable with the /dʒ/ cluster and the final unstressed /əs/. English speakers often mispronounce as /ˈkɒrɪdʒəs/ with a reduced first vowel or mispronounce the /dʒ/ as /ʒ/ or /tʃ/. Practicing with controlled syllable isolation helps: COR-ij-us, then smooth to COR-ij-əs, ensuring the /dʒ/ remains distinct.
There are no silent letters in Courageous. Every letter contributes to its syllabic structure: C-O-U-R-A-G-E-O-U-S. The typical challenge is the 'ou' sequence affecting the middle vowel quality and the /dʒ/ sound immediately before the final /əs/.
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Courageous traces to the Old French couraigeus, from couraige ‘heart, spirit, temper,’ itself from cœur ‘heart’ (Latin cor). The modern sense shifts from the heart’s steadfastness to the quality of facing danger with bravery. The root word courtly or courage enters English through Norman influence, with courage emerging in Middle English as a person’s mental or moral fortitude. By the 17th century, courageous had hardened into a common descriptor for people displaying valor and boldness, especially in literature and moral discourse. The word’s evolution mirrors changing ideals of bravery—from pure physical prowess to including moral courage and resilience in the face of fear. First known uses appear in late Middle English and Early Modern periods, with recorded usage aligning with acts of heroism and stoutness of spirit rather than mere defiance. Over time, courageous broadened to describe bold, admirable conduct in diverse contexts, including social and professional spheres, not solely battlefield bravery.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Courageous" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "Courageous"
-ous sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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