2 syllables: Cro, ton. Stress on Cro.
KROH-tuhn
/ˈkɹoʊtən/
Croton is pronounced KROH-tuhn (/ˈkɹoʊtən/). It has two syllables (Cro-ton), with the stress on "Cro". Croton is a noun referring to either a genus of tropical flowering plants in the spurge family or to a former term for a river in ancient Greece; more commonly, it designates a synthetic hydrocarbon or textile dye component historically used in industry. In biological contexts, it denotes a plant genus with species used ornamentally or for essential oils. In chemistry and industry, it appears in historical trade names and material designations.
nounCroton is a noun referring to either a genus of tropical flowering plants in the spurge family or to a former term for a river in ancient Greece; more commonly, it designates a synthetic hydrocarbon or textile dye component historically used in industry. In biological contexts, it denotes a plant genus with species used ornamentally or for essential oils. In chemistry and industry, it appears in historical trade names and material designations.
"The Croton plant brightened the conservatory with its variegated leaves."
"Researchers isolated croton oil from the plant for historical lamp oil substitutes."
"The old dye called croton was once prized for its vivid synthetic coloration."
You say it as CRO-tən, with stress on the first syllable. IPA US: /ˈkroʊtən/, UK/AUS: /ˈkrɒtən/. Begin with a rounded /k/ followed by /roʊ/ (US) or /ɒ/ (UK/AU), then a schwa /ə/ and a final /n/. Think: CROH-tən, not CROH-TAWN. You can listen to native speakers via Forvo or YouGlish as a quick reference.
Two frequent errors: (1) Misplacing stress on the second syllable, producing cro-TON; (2) Mistaking the first vowel: US tends to /oʊ/ as in 'go', but UK/AU may sound like /ɒ/ in 'cot'. Correct by: keeping primary stress on the first syllable and using a clear /oʊ/ (US) or /ɒ/ (UK/AU) for the first vowel, then a relaxed /ən/ for the second syllable.
US typically uses /ˈkroʊtən/ with a clear /oʊ/ and rhoticity; UK/AU use /ˈkrɒtən/ with shorter /ɒ/ vowel and non-rhotic endings in some speech, though rhotic influence exists in some dialects. The final syllable is unstressed with a schwa in many contexts. Across dialects, the main difference is the first vowel length and quality: /oʊ/ in US vs /ɒ/ in many UK/AU varieties.
The challenge lies in balancing a tense, rounded onset /kr/ followed by a tense /oʊ/ or lax /ɒ/ vowel, then a quick schwa. English vowel length and stress placement make it easy to misplace the primary stress, muting the first syllable, or to blend the /t/ with a following nasal, producing /ˈkrɔtən/ or /ˈkroʊtən/ confusion. Practice with careful, deliberate vowel articulation and stress hold.
In careful or slow speech, you may hear a lightly stressed first syllable, but standard pronunciation places primary stress on the first syllable: CRO-tən. There is rarely any secondary stress on the second syllable. The key CRO sound is a clear, rounded vowel; ensure you don’t reduce the first vowel too much. IPA cues: /ˈkroʊtən/ (US) or /ˈkrɒtən/ (UK/AU).
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- US: /ˈkroʊtən/. Vowel is a taught dichotomy between /oʊ/ and /oʊː/; rhoticity means the /r/ is pronounced after /k/. - UK/AU: /ˈkrɒtən/. Short /ɒ/ vowel; non-rhotic or reduced postvocalic 'r' depending on dialect. - In all accents, keep the second syllable unstressed; a relaxed /ən/ final sound aids naturalness. - Mouth positions: /k/ with back of tongue, lips rounded for /oʊ/ (US) or /ɒ/ (UK/AU); tongue stays high-mid for /ə/.
Croton derives from the Greek krokos (crocus) via Latin croton, with early scientific adoption in botany and pharmacology to designate a genus in the Euphorbiaceae (spurge) family. The term appears in ancient and medieval texts associated with Mediterranean flora and trade. In botany, the genus Croton was formalized in the 16th-18th centuries as European explorers cataloged New World flora; croton oil and croton resin terms emerged in the 19th century with industrial applications. The modern usage encompasses a plant genus of roughly 120 species, including Croton alabamensis and Croton tiglium, the latter known for toxic oil historically used in liniments and as a vesicant. The word’s journey from Greek roots to Latinized taxonomy reflects a common path of botanical nomenclature adopted during the European scientific revolution, with first known printed uses dating to early modern natural history compendia.
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Help others use "Croton" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "Croton" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Croton" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Croton"
-ton sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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