3 syllables: Flav, o, noids. Stress on Flav.
FLAY-vuh-noydz
/ˈfleɪv ə nɔɪdz/
Flavonoids is pronounced FLAY-vuh-noydz (/ˈfleɪv ə nɔɪdz/). It has three syllables (Flav-o-noids), with the stress on "Flav". As a noun, a class of polyphenolic plant compounds known for their antioxidant properties, flavonoids contribute to plant coloration and potential health benefits in humans. The term encompasses several subgroups (flavonols, flavones, isoflavones, anthocyanidins) and is commonly encountered in nutrition and biochemistry literature. They are non-volatile, typically diet-derived constituents found in fruits, vegetables, and beverages like tea and wine.
nounA class of polyphenolic plant compounds known for their antioxidant properties, flavonoids contribute to plant coloration and potential health benefits in humans. The term encompasses several subgroups (flavonols, flavones, isoflavones, anthocyanidins) and is commonly encountered in nutrition and biochemistry literature. They are non-volatile, typically diet-derived constituents found in fruits, vegetables, and beverages like tea and wine.
How to Pronounce Flavonoids
"Researchers studied the bioavailability of flavonoids in the human diet."
"Flavonoids contribute to the vibrant colors observed in many flowers and fruits."
"Dietary flavonoids have been investigated for their potential anti-inflammatory effects."
Pronounce it as /ˈflævəˌnɔɪdz/. Start with FLAV- as in flat with a short a, then -o- as a muted schwa, finishing with NOYDZ where /ɔɪ/ is the diphthong in “boy” and the final /dz/ echoes a light z-sound. The primary stress is on the first syllable: FLAV-. Audio reference: equivalent sounds appear in typical pronunciations in dictionaries like Cambridge and Oxford for the head syllable, followed by a lighter second stress in some rapid readings. Practice by isolating the /ˈflævə/ portion, then add /ˌnɔɪdz/ quickly but clearly.
Common errors include misplacing the stress (softening the first syllable or stressing the second: fla-VO-noys), mispronouncing the /æ/ as an open A in /flæ/ instead of /æ/ as in bat—most speakers get this right, but some say /ˈfləvəˌnɔɪdz/ with schwa in the first syllable. Another frequent slip is mispronouncing the long diphthong /ɔɪ/ as /oɪ/ or /aɪ/, which shifts the vowel color. Finally, ending with a voiceless or clipped /z/ rather than a voiced /dz/. Correct by maintaining open front vowel in /æ/, clear /ɔɪ/ glide, and the voiced end.” ,
US tends to /ˈflævəˌnɔɪdz/ with a rhotic US /r/? no r after n; UK often moves toward /ˈfleɪvəˌnɔɪdz/ with a longer /eɪ/ in the initial vowel and non-rhotic R-less endings; Australian often aligns closer to US but can have slightly flatter vowels, maybe /ˈflaːvəˌnɔɪdz/ with a broader /aː/ for the first syllable and a more open /ɔɪ/. The key differences lie in the initial vowel quality and rhoticity in connected speech, but all keep the /ˌnɔɪdz/ tail intact.
The word combines a complex vowel cluster around /æ/ and /ə/ in the first two syllables with a challenging diphthong /ɔɪ/ in the final stressed nucleus. Many learners misplace the primary stress or mispronounce the /nɔɪ/ segment as separate syllables instead of a smooth diphthong. The final /dz/ also can flip to a /z/ or be devoiced in rapid speech. Mastery requires stabilizing the /ˈflævə/ onset, maintaining the /ɔɪ/ glide, and ensuring the final voiced consonant.
A distinctive feature is the multi-syllabic flow across three open syllables with a compact vowel-consonant sequence: FLAV-ə-NOIDS. The /ə/ schwa in the second syllable can be reduced in faster speech, but for clarity you should maintain a clear /ə/ token before the /nɔɪdz/ segment. This differentiates it from simpler three-syllable plant terms and makes pacing critical in scientific narration.
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The word flavonoid originates from late 19th century chemistry and botany. It combines two Latin roots: flavus, meaning yellow, and -oid, a suffix meaning “resembling” or “like.” The yellowish pigments in many plants were among the first flavonoids studied, hence the descriptive root flav- (yellow). The first known uses emerged in the 1920s–1930s as researchers identified and categorized plant pigments with antioxidant and pigmentary properties. Over time, flavonoids were grouped into subclasses (flavones, flavonols, flavones, isoflavones, anthocyanins/anthocyanidins) based on structural differences in their heterocyclic ring systems and side chains. The term has broadened beyond pigment to include dietary polyphenols with varied biological activities, including potential cardioprotective and anticancer properties. The spelling and taxonomy stabilized through the late 20th century into biochemistry and nutrition literature, with flavonoids now a standard category of plant secondary metabolites.
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Words that rhyme with "Flavonoids"
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