Crocs is a brand-name plural noun referring to the popular lightweight, slip-on foam clogs worn as casual footwear. The term is used generically to denote that specific type of shoe, often recognized by its distinctive perforated design and strap. In everyday speech, it can stand alone or appear in phrases like Crocs shoes or Crocs sandals.
US: /kroʊks/, vowel more rounded, longer glide; UK/AU: /krɒks/, shorter, crisper vowel; rhoticity generally doesn’t affect this word, but the surrounding vowels can shift. Vowel quality: in US, aim for a clear diphthong /oʊ/ with a gentle glide; in UK/AU, aim for a more monophthongal /ɒ/, with less tongue movement. Final /s/ should be crisp in all accents; keep the mouth relatively closed as you release air. IPA references support these distinctions: US k r oʊ k s; UK/AU k r ɒ k s.
"I bought a new pair of Crocs for the beach trip."
"Crocs are known for being comfortable, even after hours of wear."
"She wears her pink Crocs to run quick errands around town."
"During the rainy weekend, I preferred my Crocs for easy cleanup."
Crocs originated as a brand name for a specific line of footwear by Crocs, Inc. The name was chosen to evoke the sense of open, airy comfort associated with the brand’s molded foam material, croslite. The design lineage traces to lightweight, waterproof clogs and casual footwear developed in the late 1990s, drawing inspiration from nautical and utilitarian footwear concepts. The first Crocs product released widely was a foam clog featuring a brushed inner lining and a distinctive perforated upper, intended for shower/float environments and everyday wear. The term “Crocs” subsequently became a genericized brand-name in some circles, used to refer to the product category even when the shoes are not produced by the original company. First known use of the brand in public marketing appears in product literature and catalogs around 2002–2004, with rapid expansion into global markets. Over time, the word has retained its capitalized brand identity in formal contexts but is often treated as a common noun in casual speech when referenced as “crocs” or “Crocs” depending on branding conventions and regional usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Crocs"
-cks sounds
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Pronounce as /kroʊks/ in US English, with a long 'o' in the first syllable and a voiceless 's' at the end; UK often uses /krɒks/, with a shorter 'o' vowel. Start with a rounded, mid-back vowel, move to a crisp /k/ at the coda, and end with a voiceless /s/. Emphasis is on the one-syllable word; ensure a clear contrast between the vowel and the final /s/. Practically: glide from 'kro' to 'cks' without adding extra syllables.
Common errors: mispronouncing the first vowel as a short 'o' in US accents (saying /krɒks/ instead of /kroʊks/), or overcompensating with a long vowel in UK/AU. Another mistake is mis-sibilation of the final 's' (voicing it as /z/ in careful speech). Correction: keep the first vowel as a clean /roʊ/ (US) or /rɒ/ (UK/AU) and finish with a crisp /s/. Practice by isolating the vowel then adding the final s, ensuring the vocal cords stay relaxed.
In US English, /kroʊks/ with a long 'o' sound and a voiceless /s/. UK and AU often use a shorter /ɒ/ vowel: /krɒks/ with a crisper, shorter vowel and still /s/ at the end. Rhoticity isn’t a major factor for this word, but the vowel quality shifts: US prefers a diphthongal /oʊ/, while UK/AU lean toward a more monophthongal /ɒ/. Mouth position for US is more rounded, UK/AU less so.
The difficulty lies in producing a clean, rounded /oʊ/ or /ɒ/ without adding extraneous vowels and ensuring the final /s/ remains crisp in connected speech. Some listeners may hear an alveolar stop before /s/ or insert a schwa. Focus on a single, rapid vowel transition into the /s/ and avoid extra vowel sounds after the /s/. IPA cues: US /kroʊks/, UK/AU /krɒks/.
The word is short and ends with a voiceless sibilant; some speakers may voice the final /s/ as /z/ in fast speech. To sound natural, keep the final /s/ unvoiced; ensure the tongue blade is near the alveolar ridge as the air squeezes out; avoid inserting extra vowels between /o/ and /s/.
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