3 syllables: eu, tect, ic. Stress on tect.
yoo-TEK-tik
/ˌjuːˈtɛk.tɪk/
eutectic is pronounced yoo-TEK-tik (/ˌjuːˈtɛk.tɪk/). It has three syllables (eu-tect-ic), with the stress on "tect". A eutectic refers to a mixture of substances that melts at the lowest possible temperature for that combination, forming a single sharp melt. In materials science, it describes a precise composition where two or more phases crystallize simultaneously, creating a distinct, uniform melt. The term is often used to discuss alloy systems and phase diagrams.
A eutectic refers to a mixture of substances that melts at the lowest possible temperature for that combination, forming a single sharp melt. In materials science, it describes a precise composition where two or more phases crystallize simultaneously, creating a distinct, uniform melt. The term is often used to discuss alloy systems and phase diagrams.
"The alloy reaches its eutectic composition, yielding a single melting point."
"Researchers studied the eutectic reaction to understand rapid solidification."
"The microstructure shows lamellar eutectic patterns under polarized light."
You pronounce it as /ˌjuːˈtek.tɪk/ in US and UK, with the primary stress on the second syllable: eu-TEC-tic. Start with a long
Common errors: misplacing stress (e.g., /juːˈtɛk.tɪk/), mispronouncing the second syllable as /-teck/ rather than /-tek/; blending the t-k cluster into /tʃ/ or /d/; omitting the initial 'eu' sound. Correct by treating eu- as /juː/ or /jʊ/ and keeping /ˈtek/ with a crisp /t/ and short /ɪk/ at the end.
In US/UK, the pronunciation centers on /ˌjuːˈtek.tɪk/, with a clear /t/ and non-rhoticity in some UK dialects affecting r-coloring only; AU tends to preserve the same sequence but with broader vowel quality in /juː/ and slightly flatter /ɪ/; final syllable often keeps a crisp /tɪk/ rather than a tense /tiːk/.
Two main challenges: the initial eu sequence /juː/ blends into /tj/ transition, and the cluster /tɪk/ ends with a short, crisp /ɪk/ that can blur in rapid speech. The three-syllable rhythm and stress pattern can trip listeners because the strongest emphasis is on the middle syllable, not the first. Practice by isolating /juː/ then the /ˈtek/ portion, then join with smooth /tɪk/.
Unlike many technical terms, eutectic has a transparent stress pattern (secondary before the main stress) and a simple three-syllable structure. The difficult part is the smooth onset from /juː/ into /ˈtek/, requiring precise tongue position to avoid a lisp or slurring of the /t/.
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- US: pronounced with a tense /e/ in /tek/ and rhotic-neutral vowel in /juː/. Emphasize clear, unambiguous /t/ and short /ɪ/ final. - UK: less rhotic influence; keep /juː/ as a rounded close front diphthong, /ˈtek/ with crisp /t/ release. - AU: similar to US with slightly broader /juː/ and less reduction in the final syllable; maintain non-emphatic /ɪk/. IPA references help anchor differences.
Eutectic comes from the Greek eu-, meaning good or well, and -techto, from teknê meaning art or craft, ultimately tied to techne. The term was adopted into chemistry and metallurgy in the 19th century to describe a composition with the lowest melting temperature in a system, likened to a ‘properly crafted’ mixture. The concept hinges on phase diagrams and thermodynamics, where the eutectic point marks the intersection of liquidus and solidus curves for components. The word’s first known uses appeared in the 1830s among mineralogists and metallurgists describing alloy behaviors. Over time, eutectic has broadened to materials like polymers and biological contexts, but it retains its core meaning: a precise composition that yields a uniform, sharp melting transition. The linguistic path mirrors scientific precision culture, evolving from descriptive mineral studies to formal thermodynamic definitions.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "eutectic" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "eutectic" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "eutectic"
-tic sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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