2 syllables: Cur, sor. Stress on Cur.
KUR-sur
/ˈkɝsɚ/
Cursor is pronounced KUR-sur (/ˈkɝsɚ/). It has two syllables (Cur-sor), with the stress on "Cur". Cursor is a noun meaning a movable indicator on a computer display or document, used to show where input will appear. It can also refer to a person or thing that moves or directs along a path, though this usage is rare in modern contexts. The term is common in computing, typography, and graphic interfaces, functioning as a pointer or selection tool.
nounCursor is a noun meaning a movable indicator on a computer display or document, used to show where input will appear. It can also refer to a person or thing that moves or directs along a path, though this usage is rare in modern contexts. The term is common in computing, typography, and graphic interfaces, functioning as a pointer or selection tool.
How to Pronounce Cursor
"When you click the icon, the cursor jumps to the insertion point."
"The cursor blinks to mark where your text will appear."
"Drag the cursor to select the desired text before copying."
You say /ˈkɜːr.sər/ in US English, with the primary stress on the first syllable. In UK and many non-rhotic varieties, it’s /ˈkɜː.sə/; the second syllable is an unstressed schwa. Mouth position: start with a central open vowel in the first syllable, then a relaxed, light r-colored schwa in the second; keep the tongue neutral and the lips relaxed. For quick reference, think “KER-sər.”
Two frequent errors: (1) pronouncing second syllable as 'cur-sor' with a full rounded ‘or’ sound; correct is a reduced schwa /sə/. (2) Misplacing the /r/ in non-rhotic UK accents, where you’ll hear a slight non-rhotic quality; in practice, UK speakers often de-emphasize the rhotic element. Focus on ending with a light /ə/ rather than /ɔː/ or /ɚ/. (60-100 words)
US: /ˈkɜːr.sər/ with explicit rhotic /r/ in the first syllable; UK: /ˈkɜː.sə/ with non-rhotic /r/ and a shorter second syllable; AU: typically /ˈkɜː.sə/ or /ˈkjuː.sə/ depending on speaker, often leaning toward a flatter /ə/ in the second syllable. Stress remains on the first syllable in all cases. (60-100 words)
The difficulty lies in the first syllable vowel quality and the reduced second syllable, which shifts to a schwa in many accents. The /ɜː/ is a mid-central vowel that isn’t common in all languages, and the optional /r/ in non-rhotic varieties can confuse learners who expect a hard rhotic. Practicing the contrast between /ɜː/ and /ə/ helps stabilise both syllables. (60-100 words)
A unique query is whether the second syllable should be pronounced with a focused schwa vs. a light /ər/ or /ə/; practical usage shows most speakers reduce to /sə/ or /ər/ depending on pace and accent. The key is to maintain a short, relaxed ending and avoid drawing out the second vowel. IPA reference helps you lock the exact vowel quality. (60-100 words)
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Cursor derives from Latin currere, meaning to run or run a course. The earliest senses in English referred to a runner or messenger, then to something that runs or slides along a guide. In the 20th century, computer science adopted the term to describe the moving indicator on screens that shows where input will appear; the metaphor comes from an object that runs along a line or guide, akin to a cursor in handwriting or printing. Over time, ‘cursor’ became specialized in computing, graphic design, and text editing, while retaining a broader sense of movement along a path or path-like field. First attested in English in the early 20th century in technical contexts, its usage expanded with graphical user interfaces in the 1980s and the ongoing evolution of digital text input and cursor-based navigation.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Cursor" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "Cursor"
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