2 syllables: Cu, pid. Stress on Cu.
KYOO-pid
/ˈkjupɪd/
Cupid is pronounced KYOO-pid (/ˈkjupɪd/). It has two syllables (Cu-pid), with the stress on "Cu". Cupid is a proper noun referring to the ancient Roman god of desire, often depicted as a cherubic winged boy. It can also mean a person who inspires love or a symbol of romantic affection. In modern usage, it’s commonly used in cultural references and literature to denote love or romantic attraction.
nounCupid is a proper noun referring to the ancient Roman god of desire, often depicted as a cherubic winged boy. It can also mean a person who inspires love or a symbol of romantic affection. In modern usage, it’s commonly used in cultural references and literature to denote love or romantic attraction.
"The statue of Cupid perched on the ledge overlooked the garden."
"She wore a heart pendant with Cupid’s bow as its centerpiece."
"In the festival, actors dressed as Cupids guided couples toward the dance floor."
Pronounce as /ˈkjuː.pɪd/ for US/UK/AU. The first syllable is stressed: /ˈkjuː/ rhymes with 'few' or 'cue', ending with a short /ɪd/. The tongue tallness is high-front for /kjuː/ and a lax, short /ɪ/ followed by a final /d/. You’ll hear a smooth onset with a y-like glide in the /juː/ portion. Audio references: Cambridge or Oxford dictionaries provide native speaker audio; try listening to their examples to match the rhythm.
Common errors: 1) Misplacing stress on the second syllable; ensure primary stress on /juː/ onset: /ˈkjuː/pɪd. 2) Slurring /juː/ into /uː/ or dropping the /j/ onset; keep a light /j/ sound before /uː/. 3) Ending with a clear /d/ but not releasing; avoid a heavy, clipped stop; finish with a soft, voiced /d/. Correct by isolating the /ˈkjuː/ as one unit and then releasing into /pɪd/, practicing slow to normal tempo.
US/UK/AU share /ˈkjuː.pɪd/ with similar first-syllable cluster /kj/. In non-rhotic varieties, the /r/ is absent (not applicable here). In casual speech, Americans may reduce to /ˈkjupɪd/ or blend /juː/ as /uː/ in fast speech. Australians tend to preserve the /j/ /j/ onset and often maintain clear /ɪ/ in the second syllable. Stress remains on the first syllable. Overall, the pronunciation is largely consistent across these accents, with minimal vowel quality drift and gentle vowel length differences.
The difficulty lies in the /ˈkjuː/ onset where the /j/ acts as a palatal approximant transitioning into a rounded long /uː/. Non-native speakers often mispronounce by turning /juː/ into /ju/ or /uː/ without the glide, or by misplacing the primary stress. Also, the final /ɪd/ cluster can be mispronounced as /ɪ/ or /əd/; keep a clean, light /ɪd/ release. Focus on the two-syllable rhythm with a strong initial beat and a crisp final /d/.
A unique aspect is the initial /kj/ sound blending with a long /uː/ via the /j/ glide, creating the /kjuː/ cluster that can be challenging for speakers whose languages lack a strong palatal semi-vowel. Emphasize the smooth transition from /k/ to /j/ to /uː/ before the /pɪd/ tail. Additionally, keeping the second syllable /pɪd/ short and unstressed relative to the first is key.
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US: recognize rhotic tendencies are less relevant; your /juː/ remains a clear, long vowel; keep the /d/ crisp. UK: similar, but you may hear a slightly shorter /uː/ and a more clipped /ɪd/; keep the energy on the first syllable. AU: often very clear enunciation of /j/ and /uː/; respond with a bright initial /k/ and maintain a crisp final /d/. IPA anchors: US/UK/AU: /ˈkjuː.pɪd/. Variation arises in vowel length and consonant release; practice with a mirror to monitor rounding and lip posture.
Cupid derives from the Latin cupīdō, from cupere meaning to desire. In ancient Roman religion, Cupīdō was the personification of passionate desire and erotic love, often depicted as a cherubic child with wings. The term appears in late Latin as Cupīdō, with early Christian writers sometimes conflating him with Eros. The name evolved into English usage during the Renaissance as a reference to the god of love, expanding to the general notion of romantic affection. First known use in English literature traces back to the 14th-15th centuries, paralleling classical translations and poetic adaptations. Over time, Cupid has become a cultural symbol of romantic love rather than a strictly mythological figure, widely appearing in art, literature, music, and popular media as a playful emblem of attraction and flirtation.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Cupid" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Cupid" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Cupid"
-uid sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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