3 syllables: Cre, pi, tus. Stress on Cre.
KREP-it-uhs
/ˈkrɛpɪtəs/
Crepitus is pronounced KREP-it-uhs (/ˈkrɛpɪtəs/). It has three syllables (Cre-pi-tus), with the stress on "Cre". Crepitus is a medical term referring to a crackling, popping, or grating sensation or sound produced by the movement of bones, cartilage, or air within tissues. It is commonly encountered in joints or subcutaneous tissues and can indicate underlying pathology or normal physiological processes, depending on the context. The word is used in clinical descriptions rather than everyday conversation.
nounCrepitus is a medical term referring to a crackling, popping, or grating sensation or sound produced by the movement of bones, cartilage, or air within tissues. It is commonly encountered in joints or subcutaneous tissues and can indicate underlying pathology or normal physiological processes, depending on the context. The word is used in clinical descriptions rather than everyday conversation.
How to Pronounce Crepitus
"The physician noted crepitus in the knee joint during flexion, suggesting possible cartilage wear."
"Subcutaneous crepitus was felt around the chest wall after the injury, indicating air leakage."
"Crepitus can be heard when palpating the shoulder in certain degenerative conditions."
Pronounce it as CREP-ih-tus, with the primary stress on the first syllable. IPA: US /ˈkrɛpɪtəs/, UK /ˈkrepɪtəs/, AU /ˈkrepɪtəs/. Begin with a short 'e' as in 'bed', then a quick 'p' release, followed by a short schwa-like 'i' in an unstressed second syllable, and end with 'təs'.
Common errors include misplacing the stress (say CRE-pi-tus instead of cre-PI-tus) and softening the final 's' into a z-sound (/ˈkrɛpɪtəs/ vs /ˈkrɛpɪtəz/). Also, some learners aspirate the 't' too strongly or insert an extra vowel between 'e' and 'p'. The correction is to keep the /kr/ onset tight, place primary stress on the first syllable, use a short /ɪ/ in the second syllable, and finish with a crisp /təs/ rather than /təz/.
In US English, /ˈkrɛpɪtəs/ often features a short, lax /ɪ/ in the second syllable; the final /əs/ is a quick schwa plus unrounded /s/. UK English tends to keep the same vowel quality but with a slightly clearer /t/ release and more clipped final syllable; AU mirrors US pronunciation but can show slightly broader vowels depending on speaker. Overall, the rhoticity is less impactful here since the word isn’t rhotic in the stressed syllable.
Two main challenges: the unstressed second syllable with a quick /ɪ/ can blur into a reduced vowel, and the final /təs/ requires a crisp stop followed by a light, unstressed ending. Learners also often mis-hypoarticulate the /p/ release, blending into /peɪ/ or /prɛ/ possibilities. Practice by isolating each segment: /kr/ onset, /ɛ/ vs /e/ vowel quality, a clean /p/ burst, and finishing with /ɪtəs/.
There are no silent letters in Crepitus, but the stress pattern is 'CREP-ih-tus' with primary stress on the first syllable. The challenge lies in maintaining a sharp /p/ and ensuring the second syllable remains short (/ɪ/) rather than lengthening. Staying aware of the syllable boundaries helps—don’t slide into /ˈkrep-ɪt-əs/; keep it crisp: /ˈkrɛpɪtəs/.
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Crepitus comes from Latin crepitus, meaning ‘a rattle, creaking, or cracking noise,’ from crepitare, to rattle or crack. The root crep- conveys a creaking or snapping sound, and the suffix -itus denotes a condition or state. The term entered English medical vocabulary to describe audible or palpable crackling sensations in tissues or joints. Early anatomical and surgical texts borrowed crepitus to capture phenomena observed during movement or palpation, especially in joints or subcutaneous tissues. Over time, crepitus has been refined in clinical contexts: radiology and physical examination describe crepitus as a sign that may reflect gas in soft tissues, synovial wear, or air tracking in tissues following trauma. The word’s usage has expanded beyond lay descriptions to precise clinical signs, often paired with qualifiers like crepitus of the knee or chest crepitus. In contemporary practice, crepitus is a standardized term in orthopedics, pulmonology, and surgery, used to document a specific crackling or popping sensation or sound that is reproducible under exam or imaging. The evolution of the term mirrors a broader shift in medicine toward descriptive, symptom-based terminology that conveys both sensory experience and potential underlying pathology.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Crepitus" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "Crepitus"
-tus sounds
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