3 syllables: e, rot, ic. Stress on rot.
ir-AH-tik
/ɪˈɹɑtɪk/
erotic is pronounced ir-AH-tik (/ɪˈɹɑtɪk/). It has three syllables (e-rot-ic), with the stress on "rot". erotic refers to arousing or intensely connected with sexual desire; it also describes literature, art, or behavior intended to stimulate such feelings. The term carries a nuanced, often intimate or sensational connotation, and in formal discourse may describe themes of sexuality or romance. It spans both neutral descriptive use and more charged, evaluative contexts depending on register and intent.
erotic refers to arousing or intensely connected with sexual desire; it also describes literature, art, or behavior intended to stimulate such feelings. The term carries a nuanced, often intimate or sensational connotation, and in formal discourse may describe themes of sexuality or romance. It spans both neutral descriptive use and more charged, evaluative contexts depending on register and intent.
"The novel contained erotic scenes that were tasteful yet explicit."
"Her photography explored erotic imagery without being graphic."
"They spoke in hushed tones about erotic literature and its cultural history."
You say /ɪˈrɒt.ɪk/ in US and UK English, with the stress on the second syllable: er-OT-ic. Begin with a short, lax 'i' sound in the first syllable, then a rounded rhotic 'r' followed by a clear /ɒ/ as in 'lot', and finish with a light /ɪk/. In Australian English it’s usually the same rhythm and vowel qualities: /ɪˈrɒt.ɪk/. Keep your jaw relaxed and let the second syllable carry the primary stress.
Two common errors are pronouncing the second syllable with a reduced vowel (/ə/ or /ɪ/ instead of /ɒ/) and misplacing the stress on the first syllable (er-OT-ic). Correct by stressing the second syllable: /ɪˈrɒt.ɪk/. Practice by saying ‘e-ROT-ic’ slowly, then speed up while keeping /ɒ/ in the middle. Also avoid curling the tongue for the /ɹ/; keep it natural like in ‘are.’
In American and British English, the middle vowel in the stressed syllable is /ɒ/ (as in 'lot') or a near-/ɒ/ depending on speaker. US rhoticity means the final /k/ is less influenced by the following syllable; UK often features tighter vowel quality and less rhotic influence on the preceding vowel. Australian typically mirrors UK with non-rhotic tendencies in careful speech but may show a slightly broader vowel in /ɒ/. Overall, the main difference is vowel quality and intensity rather than stress placement.
Two core challenges drive difficulty: the diphthong and the stressed syllable's vowel quality. The first syllable features a quick, lax /ɪ/ leading into a strong /ɒ/ in the stressed syllable; many speakers substitute with /eɪ/ or /ɛ/ when tired or excited, which shifts meaning subtly. Additionally, the r-colored approximant /ɹ/ can blur with adjacent vowels in rapid speech. Slow, precise articulation helps solidify the target sounds and improves consistency.
Focus on the second syllable’s vowel and the post-vocalic /ɪk/. A unique cue is to imagine saying ‘er-OH-tic’ with a brief jaw drop at the /ɒ/ onset, then a quick, light final /k/. Ensure the lips round slightly for the /ɒ/ and keep the tongue relaxed for /ɪk/. Practicing in isolation and in phrases like ‘erotic imagery’ helps transfer the rhythm to real speech.
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The word erotic comes from the Greek word eros, the god of love, via the Greek adjective erotikos meaning 'relating to love or sexual desire.' The term entered Latin as eroticus, maintaining its sexual connotation, and later spread into English in the early modern period to describe matters of desire, romance, and sexual feeling in art and literature. Over time, erotic broadened beyond explicit sexuality to describe aesthetics and moods intended to arouse or explore sexual feelings, as seen in descriptions of erotic poetry, prose, and visual art. In contemporary usage, erotic can carry clinical, academic, or sensational tones depending on context. The transition from pagan mythic associations with eros to modern analytic usage reflects broader shifts in moral, cultural, and artistic discourse about sexuality. First known use in English dates to the 17th century, with broader popularization in the 19th and 20th centuries as discussions of sexuality became more explicit in literature and philosophy.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "erotic" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "erotic" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "erotic"
-tic sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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