4 syllables: Di, clo, fen, ac. Stress on clo.
deye-KLOF-uh-nak
/daɪˈklɒfənæk/
Diclofenac is pronounced deye-KLOF-uh-nak (/daɪˈklɒfənæk/). It has four syllables (Di-clo-fen-ac), with the stress on "clo". Diclofenac is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to relieve pain and inflammation. It is typically prescribed for conditions like arthritis, sprains, and menstrual cramps. The name itself comes from the compound's chemical structure, and it is pronounced with a multi-syllabic flow that can challenge non-medical speakers.
nounDiclofenac is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to relieve pain and inflammation. It is typically prescribed for conditions like arthritis, sprains, and menstrual cramps. The name itself comes from the compound's chemical structure, and it is pronounced with a multi-syllabic flow that can challenge non-medical speakers.
- Misplacing stress and saying die-KLOH-fen-ak or di-kluh-FEN-ack. Correct by marking syllable tiers: di-KLOH-fen-ack with stress on fen-ack region for speed moderation. - Clustering: 'clo' should be a clean 'kl' with a light vowel; avoid turning it into 'klow' or 'clo-FEN' where the 'clo' becomes heavy. Practice with a short vowel in the middle ('klə' or 'kloʊ') depending on your dialect. - Final syllable: make sure you don’t reduce '-ac' to '-a' or lengthen it into '-eɪk'—keep a crisp /æk/ or /æ/ sound. - Link to medical terms: ensure clarity when speaking with patients, avoiding slurred 'dicloinac' or 'dicklofenac'. These mistakes alter meaning and reduce conveyance; slow down to emphasize the three meaningful chunks: DI- CLO-fen-AC.
How to Pronounce Diclofenac
"The patient was prescribed diclofenac to reduce joint inflammation."
"She took diclofenac tablets for her back pain after the workout."
"Diclofenac is available in tablets, topical gels, and injections."
Say /ˌdaɪ.kloʊˈfɛnˌæk/ in US English or /ˌdaɪ.kləˈfen.æk/ in UK/ Australian variants. The primary stress sits on the third syllable (fen) or the second-to-last syllable depending on dialect. Begin with a silent-ish di- prefix, then a strong 'klo' release, and end with a crisp 'fen-ack' or 'fen-ac' with the final ‘c’ sound. Visualize: die-KLOH-fen-ack; or die-kluh-FEN-ak in British/accented form. For most speakers, the tricky part is the 'kl' cluster and the 'fac/ac' ending.”,
Common errors include misplacing the accent, saying die-KLOF-en-ack or di-kloe-FE-nac. Others drop the second syllable or mispronounce the ‘clo’ cluster as a hard ‘cl’ without the expected vowel timing. The ending can become '-fac' or '-fac(k)'. Correct by stressing the penultimate syllable (fen) and ensuring a clear 'klo' with a short o, then a crisp ‘fen-ack’ with a clear ‘a’ as in cat. Practice with rhythm: di-KLOH-fen-ak.
In US English, you’ll hear /ˌdaɪ.kloʊˈfen.æk/ with a long 'o' in the second syllable and a strong final 'ack'. UK/AU variants often shift to /ˌdaɪ.kləˈfen.æk/ or /ˌdaɪˈklɒfə.næk/ depending on speed and regional vowel realizations; the 'clo' can be a lighter, unstressed 'klo' or 'klə' sound, and the final syllable can be shortened in rapid speech. Overall, US tends to preserve a more pronounced second syllable vowel, while UK/AU may reduce the middle vowel slightly and place the main stress on fen- or fen-ack depending on the speaker.
The difficulty comes from the consonant cluster 'kl' after the diphthong in 'di-'. The 'clo' syllable demands precise tongue placement: a light palatal onset with a crisp 'k' release, and the final 'fac' or 'fak' requires sharp voicing without adding extra schwa. The two nearly identical vowel sounds in rapid speech (klo and fen) can blur. Mastery comes from slow, repetitive drilling of the two main clusters /klə/ or /kloʊ/ and /fɛn.æk/ with careful stress timing.
A unique feature is the 'clo' cluster following the initial /daɪ/ sequence and the need to maintain a crisp dental/alveolar blend at 'fen' before the final 'æk'. The mouth position shifts from a rounded 'clo' to a lax 'fen' and a strong final voiceless 'k' before the 'æ' vowel. This combination—di + clo + fen + ac—requires controlled transitions and attention to syllable stress, which is why speakers often pause slightly before 'fen' to maintain rhythm.
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- US: emphasize rhotic vowels and the long /oʊ/ in the second syllable; keep the final /æk/ crisp. - UK: maybe a slightly reduced middle vowel /lə/ or /ləˈfen.æk/ with a shorter 'o' in the second syllable; ensure non-rhoticity still preserves the 'clo' cluster. - AU: similar to UK, with possibly more rounding on vowels and a slightly wider mouth opening in /æ/. Use IPA references to verify. - Across all, ensure the 'kl' cluster is light but clear; avoid vowel reduction that blurs 'di' and 'clo'.
Diclofenac’s name derives from its chemical composition: the 'di-' prefix indicates two components, 'phen' or 'phenyl' rings and 'chloro' substitution variants, and the suffix '-ac' aligns with carboxylate and acid groups common to NSAIDs. The term entered medical lexicon in the mid-20th century as synthetic nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were developed to reduce prostaglandin synthesis. The 'diclo-' fragment reflects two Chlorophenyl moieties in many diclofenac salts, while '-fenac' hints at its phenylacetic acid backbone. Early pharmacology texts around the 1960s-1970s document the compound’s analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties, with widespread adoption in clinical practice by the 1980s. First known use appears in pharmaceutical literature addressing diclofenac as the di-chlorophenyl acetic acid derivative that distinguishes it from simpler NSAIDs, marking a turning point in targeted muscular and joint pain management.
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Words that rhyme with "Diclofenac"
-ack sounds
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