3 syllables: Ex, or, cist. Stress on Ex.
EK-sur-suhst
/ˈɛksɚsəst/
Exorcist is pronounced EK-sur-suhst (/ˈɛksɚsəst/). It has three syllables (Ex-or-cist), with the stress on "Ex". Exorcist is a noun for a person who performs exorcisms—rituals intended to drive out demonic possession or malevolent spirits from people or places. In fiction, the term often refers to a professional or religious figure charged with spiritual cleansing. The word conveys a formal, somewhat archaic or ceremonial tone.
nounExorcist is a noun for a person who performs exorcisms—rituals intended to drive out demonic possession or malevolent spirits from people or places. In fiction, the term often refers to a professional or religious figure charged with spiritual cleansing. The word conveys a formal, somewhat archaic or ceremonial tone.
"The monastery hired a renowned exorcist to bless the haunted chapel."
"In the film, the exorcist confronts a terrifying, unearthly force."
"Rumors spread that the exorcist had powerful prayers and ancient rites."
Exorcist is pronounced /ˈɛkˌsɔr.sɪst/ in US English, with primary stress on the first syllable EX and secondary on the second syllable 'sor-'. In British English it’s /ˈekˌsɔː.sɪst/, with a longer /ɔː/ sound in the second syllable. Break it as EX-or-cist, keeping the /ks/ cluster at the start and the /s/ sound clear before the final -ist. Tip: say EX quickly, then insert a light pause and finish with 'sist' to avoid blending.
Common mistakes include misplacing the stress (trying EXOR-sist instead of EX-or-cist) and pronouncing the middle vowel as a short /ɔ/ in American speech. Correction: maintain primary stress on EX, then articulate /ɔr/ as in 'or' in 'orbit' for /sɔr/. Also avoid slurring the -ist ending; keep the /sɪst/ as two crisp sounds, not /zɪst/. Practice by saying EX-ks-OR-sist in deliberate, three-part syllables.
In US English, /ˈɛkˌsɔr.sɪst/ with rhotic /r/ in the second syllable; in UK English, /ˈekˌsɔː.sɪst/ with a lengthened /ɔː/ and less pronounced rhoticity; in Australian English, /ˈekˌsɔː.sɪst/ similar to UK but with Australian vowel quality, often a bit flatter intonation. The main differences are vowel length and rhoticity; the consonant cluster /ks/ remains consistent across dialects.
The difficulty lies in the syllable boundary and the /ks/ cluster after the initial vowel, plus the quick transition into /sɪst/ without a vowel reduction. The 'or' in /ˈsɔr/ can be tricky for non-rhotic speakers who de-emphasize /r/. Additionally, maintaining clear final -ist without blending into a similar word like 'exorcism' demands careful position of the tongue and jaw.
A distinctive feature is the tri-syllabic rhythm: EX-OR-CIST. The middle 'or' requires a distinct vowel quality and a soft /r/ or non-rhotic variant depending on dialect. Emphasize the crisp /ks/ cluster immediately after the initial vowel and hold the final -ist as a separate syllable rather than merging with the preceding sound. This helps avoid mispronunciations like 'exor-sist' or 'exorc-ist'.
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US: rhotic /r/ in second syllable; clear /s/ and /t/, use a slightly higher vowel height in the first /ɛ/. UK: non-rhotic or weak /r/, lengthen /ɔː/ in middle, maintain crisp final /st/. AU: similar to UK, but vowel quality tends to be broader, less exact /ɔː/ and more centralized vowels; keep the /s/ and /t/ distinct. Use IPA as reference and record yourself to compare vowel length and rhoticity.
The word exorcist derives from the Late Latin_exorcista_, from Greek_exorkistēs_, meaning 'one who binds by oath' or more specifically 'one who performs an oath or rites of exorcism.' The Greek term combines exo-, 'out,' with -horkesthai, 'to swear, adjure,' from the root horos, 'a boundary' or 'defense.' In Christian usage, an exorcist is a priest authorized to perform rites to expel demons. The form appears in Latin texts in the early medieval period, with English adoption by the 14th–15th centuries during broader ecclesiastical and literary activity. Historically, exorcism rituals invoked sacred names, holy oils, blessings, and specific prayers; over time, the word broadened in secular and fictional contexts to describe practitioners who claim authority to combat malevolent spiritual forces. In modern popular culture, the term often carries cinematic and sensational associations, while in ecclesiastical law it remains a specialized rite reserved for ordained clergy in certain denominations. The evolution reflects shifting attitudes toward spiritual belief, ritual authority, and the representation of supernatural combat in literature and media.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Exorcist" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "Exorcist"
-ist sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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