2 syllables: De, gas. Stress on De.
DAY-guhs
/ˈdeɪɡəs/
Degas is pronounced DAY-guhs (/ˈdeɪɡəs/). It has two syllables (De-gas), with the stress on "De". As a noun, a plural proper noun referring to the French artist Edgar Degas, or to works associated with him. In general usage, it denotes the artist’s surname used as a cultural reference and subject in art history, criticism, and discussion. The pronunciation typically follows English adaptation of the French name rather than a literal English pluralization.
nounA plural proper noun referring to the French artist Edgar Degas, or to works associated with him. In general usage, it denotes the artist’s surname used as a cultural reference and subject in art history, criticism, and discussion. The pronunciation typically follows English adaptation of the French name rather than a literal English pluralization.
- Common challenges: 1) Misplacing stress on the first syllable (DE-gas) instead of second (de-GAS); 2) Vowel mismatch in the second syllable (/ɑː/ vs /æ/); 3) Final s devoicing or over-voicing in connected speech. - Corrections: Practice with a slow, deliberate second syllable: /ˈdɪ.ɡɑːz/ or /dɪˈɡɑːz/ depending on dialect; keep the final z fully voiced. Use minimal pairs with context to fix stress: (DE-gas vs de-GAS) in phrases; rehearse with a mirror to monitor jaw openness and tongue position. - Visual cues: mouth opens wide for /ɑː/; lips unrounded; tongue low and back; keep jaw relaxed. - Practical drill: say the word in isolation, then pair with a following phrase starting with a consonant to simulate connected speech.”,
How to Pronounce Degas
"The Degas exhibition drew critics from around the world."
"She cited Degas’ technique when describing the swirls of movement in the painting."
"In art history class, we analyzed Degas’ use of negative space."
Pronounce it as de-GA with stress on the second syllable, ending with a voiced s. In US English: /dɪˈɡɑːz/ or /dɪˈɡæs/ depending on speaker; in UK English you’ll hear /dɪˈɡæs/ most commonly. For American speakers, aim for a clear /ɑː/ vowel in the second syllable and a voiced /z/ at the end. Listen to native references when possible to confirm; a typical audio reference would be a voice showing the second syllable emphasized, with the final z voiced softly.
Two frequent pitfalls: 1) treating it as de-GAS with a hard final /s/ in isolation before linking to a following word, 2) using a short /æ/ or /a/ in the second syllable rather than the broad /ɑː/ or /æ/ depending on dialect. Correction: emphasize the second syllable with an open back vowel like /ɑː/ in American English when possible, and end with a voiced /z/. Practice with minimal pairs: /dɪˈɡɑːz/ vs /dɪˈɡæs/.
US speakers commonly use /dɪˈɡɑːz/ with a rhotic influence and a longer /ɑː/ in the second syllable; UK speakers may prefer /dɪˈɡæs/ with a shorter /æ/ and less length on the final vowel; Australian English often adopts /dɪˈɡæs/ or /dəˈɡæz/ with a more centralized vowel in rapid speech. The key differences lie in vowel quality of the second syllable and the final consonant voicing and duration, influenced by rhoticity and vowel inventories.
The difficulty stems from a French surname in English pronunciation, where the second syllable can be mispronounced with a short /æ/ or reduced vowel, and the final /s/ can be devoiced or silent in fast speech. Pay attention to the vowel quality in the second syllable and ensure the final consonant remains voiced in most dialects. Proper practice with native audio helps overcome subtle French-influenced cues.
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- US: final /z/ with a broader /ɑː/ or /æ/ depending on speaker; rhotic, with lip rounding less than UK; IPA reference: /dɪˈɡɑːz/. - UK: more clipped /ɡæs/ and shorter vowel; non-rhotic influence may soften the r if any in surrounding context; IPA: /dɪˈɡæs/. - AU: tends toward /dɪˈɡæs/ with slightly raised and centralized vowels; final /z/ voiced; IPA: /dɪˈɡæs/. - Shared: keep second syllable prominent with a stable vowel quality; avoid turning it into /dɪˈɡeɪz/ or /dəˈɡas/. - Tip: practice with minimal pairs to hear subtle differences in vowel duration and final consonant voicing.
Degas is a proper noun, the French surname of the painter Edgar Degas (1834–1917). The name Degas derives from French onomastics and is believed to be regional, possibly linked to place-names or family lineage in France. The surname is pronounced with a soft g and final s, and in French the final -s is usually silent in singular usage but pronounced during elision in compounds; in English contexts the final -s is often voiced. Edgar Degas adopted a standard French pronunciation of his surname, but in English-speaking discourse, it is typically anglicized to DEG-uss or de-GAHSS depending on speaker. The first known use of the surname in English-language art criticism appears mid-to-late 19th century as Degas’s fame spread internationally, with translations and catalogues adopting varying anglicizations. Over time, “Degas” has become a stable, widely recognized surname in art epochs, often used to label the artist’s works and as a cultural shorthand for impressionist and realist stylistic explorations. The surname remains a proper noun that references a person/lineage rather than a common noun.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Degas" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "Degas"
-gas sounds
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