2 syllables: E, clairs. Stress on E.
AY-klurz
/ˈeɪklɚz/
Eclairs is pronounced AY-klurz (/ˈeɪklɚz/). It has two syllables (E-clairs), with the stress on "E". Eclairs is a plural noun referring to oblong, cream-filled pastries topped with chocolate icing. Pronounced with two syllables in common usage, the word blends French culinary terms into English. It denotes a confection that’s light, airy, and often elegant, typically served as a dessert or afternoon treat in cafes and pâtisseries.
nounEclairs is a plural noun referring to oblong, cream-filled pastries topped with chocolate icing. Pronounced with two syllables in common usage, the word blends French culinary terms into English. It denotes a confection that’s light, airy, and often elegant, typically served as a dessert or afternoon treat in cafes and pâtisseries.
"She ordered two chocolate eclairs for the birthday party."
"The pastry chef demonstrated how to pipe the éclair dough before baking."
"In the cafe, I paired my coffee with a classic vanilla éclair."
US/UK/AU pronunciation centers on two syllables: /ˈeɪ klɛərz/ (US) or /ˈeɪ ˈklɛəz/ (AU). The first syllable carries primary stress, starting with a long A sound /eɪ/, followed by an /kl/ cluster with a light, rounded /l/ and the /ɛər/ or /ɛəz/ diphthong. Mouth position: start with an open-front vowel, then a clear /k/ and /l/, and end with a soft /z/ or /s/ at the end depending on accent. Listen to native-speech examples to refine the subtle /ɛər/ vowel. Audio reference: try a reputable pronunciation dictionary or YouGlish sample for “éclair.”
Two frequent errors: 1) Treating it as three syllables (e-CLAIRS) or misplacing stress on the second syllable. 2) Slurring the final /z/ into a /s/ or dropping the /l/ in /kl/ cluster. Correction: pronounce with two clear syllables: /ˈeɪ klɛərz/, ensure the /kl/ is tightly connected but not fused, and end with a crisp /z/ rather than a voiceless /s/. Practice with minimal pairs to solidify the /ɛər/ and final voiced z sound.
In US, you typically hear /ˈeɪ klɛərz/ with a rhotic, less pronounced /r/ before the vowel, and a final voiced /z/. UK speakers might pronounce with a broader /ˈeɪ klɛəz/ where the /ɛə/ diphthong is more prominent. Australian pronunciation usually aligns with US patterns but may feature a slightly more clipped /ɛə/ and a less pronounced final /z/. All share two syllables and initial /eɪ/ stress; the main variation is the rhotics and the length of the final vowel quality.
The difficulty lies in the /ɛər/ vowel cluster and the final /z/ voiced alveolar. Many learners conflate it with “éclairs” with silent letters or mispronounce as /ˈiːklərz/ or /ˈeklɛərz/. The correct articulation requires a distinct /kl/ blend, a mid-front lax vowel followed by a tense /ɛər/ sequence, and finishing with a clear voiced /z/. Practice the /kl/ cluster and ensure the /eɪ/ in the first syllable is held as a diphthong rather than a short vowel.
A distinct feature is the final z-sound after a two-syllable structure that begins with a sharp /eɪ/. The word emphasizes the first syllable and blends a French loanword pattern into English, requiring careful articulation of the /kl/ cluster and the rhotacized or rhotaceless quality of the second syllable depending on accent. The challenge is balancing the /kl/ transition with a crisp /z/ without turning into /s/ or elongating the vowel excessively.
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Éclair is borrowed from the French word for “lightning,” reflecting the pastry’s airy, delicate texture that seems to strike quickly with a dose of sweetness. The culinary term entered French in the 19th century as part of a tradition of pastry names describing shapes, colors, and textures. Early éclair recipes featured choux pastry formed into long shapes, then filled with cream and glazed with chocolate. The English adoption retained the accent on the first syllable, and over time, the plural form éclair became éclairs, with the final -s indicating pluralization and the English tendency to Anglicize pronunciation. The pronunciation shifted in English-speaking regions to a two-syllable pattern, commonly stressed on the first syllable to align with similar French loanwords that begin with a prominent initial vowel sound. By the late 20th century, éclair had become a familiar, if somewhat exotic, dessert term in many Western menus and culinary conversations with a recognizable anglicized pronunciation. First known use in English texts appears in the 19th or early 20th century as French pastries gained global popularity, with adaptations occurring as bakers and diners integrated the treat into broader confectionery culture.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Eclairs" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Eclairs" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Eclairs"
-irs sounds
-res sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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