3 syllables: e, lec, trode. Stress on lec.
il-EK-trohd
/ˌɪˈlɛktɹoʊd/
electrode is pronounced il-EK-trohd (/ˌɪˈlɛktɹoʊd/). It has three syllables (e-lec-trode), with the stress on "lec". electrode (n.) A conductor through which electricity enters or leaves an object, device, or circuit. Often used in medical or scientific contexts, an electrode is typically a metal or carbon rod or plate with a conductive junction. The term combines the ideas of electricity and environment, and is widely used in laboratories, batteries, and electrophysiology settings.
electrode (n.) A conductor through which electricity enters or leaves an object, device, or circuit. Often used in medical or scientific contexts, an electrode is typically a metal or carbon rod or plate with a conductive junction. The term combines the ideas of electricity and environment, and is widely used in laboratories, batteries, and electrophysiology settings.
- You’ll often hear speakers blur the middle /k/ and /t/ into /tk/, making it sound like /ˈeɪlktrod/; practice by separating the /k/ and /t/ briefly (a slight pause) before /r/. - Another pitfall is pronouncing /əʊ/ as /oʊ/ for all dialects; while US favors /oʊ/, UK/AU may render as /əʊ/ or a reduced /ə/. - Finally, the ending /d/ can be devoiced in rapid speech; ensure your tongue touches the alveolar ridge and the vocal cords engage for a clear /d/.
"The scientist attached an electrode to measure the brain’s electrical activity."
"During the ECG, a set of electrodes adheres to the patient’s chest to monitor heart signals."
"The electrode was connected to the circuit to complete the current path."
Pronounce as /ɪˈlɛktroʊd/ (US) or /ɪˈlɛktrəʊd/ (UK/AU). Primary stress lands on the second syllable: e-Lec-trode. Start with a clear /ɪ/ vowel, move to /ˈlɛk/ with a short, crisp /e/ in the second syllable, then finish with /troʊd/ (US) or /trəʊd/ (UK/AU). Ensure the /d/ is released. Listening for the /troʊd/ or /trəʊd/ tail helps confirm the final syllable cadence. IPA: US ɪˈlɛktroʊd; UK/AU ɪˈlɛktrəʊd.
Common errors: 1) Dropping the second vowel or reducing it too much, producing /ɪˈlɛktoʊd/ instead of /ɪˈlɛktrəʊd/. 2) Misplacing stress, saying /ˌiːˈlɛk·troʊd/ or /ɪˈlɛkˈtroʊd/. 3) Slurring the /tr/ cluster, yielding /ˈɛltroʊd/. Correction: keep a distinct /tr/ in the second syllable and articulate the /t/ and /r/ with a light pause between /k/ and /tr/; stress the second syllable, and ensure the final /d/ is released.
US tends to maintain /ɪˈlɛktroʊd/ with a clear /oʊ/ in the final syllable and rhotic /r/. UK/AU often realize /ɪˈlek.trəʊd/ with non-rhotic /r/ in syllable three and a longer /oʊ/ or /əʊ/ in the final. The middle vowel /ɛ/ remains similar, but the second syllable may be more centralized in UK/AU (ə). Vowel length and rhoticity differ: US rhotic; UK/AU non-rhotic. IPA references: US ɪˈlɛktroʊd; UK/AU ɪˈlek.trəʊd.
The difficulty centers on the consonant cluster /ktr/ across syllables, the /e/ vs /ə/ in the second syllable, and the final /d/ release after a rounded /oʊ/ or /əʊ/. Tongue needs to transition quickly from /k/ to /t/ to /r/ without loss, and the second syllable often reduces to a schwa in fast speech. Practice by isolating /k/ + /tr/ together, then build to full syllable: e-LEK-trəod.” ,
A unique point is the /tr/ sequence: avoid turning /ktr/ into a hard /ktr/ blend; instead articulate /k/ then release into a distinct /tr/ with a light contact of the tongue tip for /t/ and rapid /r/. This helps keep the second syllable crisp: e-LEK-trəʊd. Also keep the second syllable vowel as a careful /ə/ (or /ə/), not a full /eɪ/ or /iː/ in natural speech.
🗣️ Voice search tip: These questions are optimized for voice search. Try asking your voice assistant any of these questions about "electrode"!
- US: stress on the second syllable, rhotic /r/. Vowels lean to tense /i/ and /oʊ/ in final; tongue height mid-to-high. - UK/AU: non-rhotic /r/; final vowel tends toward /əʊ/; light /r/ or silent. Tongue arches slightly differently for /trəʊd/. - General: keep the /k/ and /t/ distinct, and practice the /r/ as a quick, tapped movement in US, or a post-alveolar approximant in others. IPA: US ɪˈlɛktroʊd; UK/AU ɪˈlek.trəʊd.
The word electrode comes from French électrode, itself from électr(o) + -ode (from Greek -oeide, via French influence), where électr- traces to electricity and -ode denotes a vessel or tool in some contexts. The English form appears in the early 19th century, reflecting the growing scientific vocabulary of electricity and conduction. The root element électr- comes from Italian elettricità and Latin electricus, ultimately from Greek elektron (amber), connected to static electricity observations. Initially, electrode described a conductive element in electrochemical experiments, and by the late 1800s the term extended to devices used in medical, battery, and electrophysiology contexts. Over time, electrode has retained its core sense of a conductive interface between a circuit and a target medium (gas, liquid, tissue, or solid). First known use appears in scientific writings circa 1800s, with widespread adoption as electrical technology matured in the 19th and 20th centuries.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "electrode" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "electrode" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "electrode" and show contrast in usage.
📚 Vocabulary tip: Learning synonyms and antonyms helps you understand nuanced differences in meaning and improves your word choice in speaking and writing.
Words that rhyme with "electrode"
-dle sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
🎵 Rhyme tip: Practicing with rhyming words helps you master similar sound patterns and improves your overall pronunciation accuracy.
