2 syllables: fla, vors. Stress on fla.
FLAY-vurz
/ˈfleɪvɚz/
flavors is pronounced FLAY-vurz (/ˈfleɪvɚz/). It has two syllables (fla-vors), with the stress on "fla". Flavors (or flavour in British English) refer to the distinct sensations produced in the mouth by substances, especially foods or beverages, that influence taste, aroma, and aftertaste. The word can denote specific tastes (sweet, sour, bitter, salty, umami) or the characteristics of a dish overall. It also functions in metaphorical phrases to describe the overall character or appeal of something.
Flavors (or flavour in British English) refer to the distinct sensations produced in the mouth by substances, especially foods or beverages, that influence taste, aroma, and aftertaste. The word can denote specific tastes (sweet, sour, bitter, salty, umami) or the characteristics of a dish overall. It also functions in metaphorical phrases to describe the overall character or appeal of something.
"The flavors of the autumn tea blend include cinnamon, clove, and orange peel."
"This dish needs more flavor—try adding a splash of lemon juice or a pinch of salt."
"The restaurant updated its menu to offer bolder, more diverse flavors."
Pronounce as /ˈfleɪ.vɚz/ in US English and /ˈfleɪ.vəz/ in UK/AU. The first syllable carries primary stress with the diphthong /eɪ/ as in 'lay'. The second syllable contains an unstressed schwa or a reduced /ɚ/ in US, which is often pronounced as /ə/ or /ɚ/ depending on speaker. End with /z/ for plural. Mouth: start with a rounded lower lip and high front tongue for the /f/ + /l/ cluster, then glide into the /eɪ/ vowel, tongue high-mid for /v/, and finish with a voiced alveolar z- sound.
Common errors: (1) Dropping the final z: say /z/ clearly; (2) Mispronouncing the /eɪ/ as a short /e/ or /ɛ/; keep the closing glide to /eɪ/. (3) Overpronouncing the second syllable as /ɚ/ in all accents; whereas in BR /ə/ or UK /ə/ is common; aim for a softer schwa or rhotacized ending only in US. Practice with minimal pairs like flavor vs flavors to feel the final voiced fricative.
In US English, final syllable often rhotic: /ˈfleɪ.vɚz/ with a rhotic r-like vowel; in UK English, /ˈfleɪ.vəz/ without rhoticity; in AU English, tends toward /ˈfleɪ.vəz/ with a centralized or schwa-like ending, typically non-rhotic in careful speech but may show mild rhotics in rapid speech. Overall, the difference centers on the rhoticity and vowel quality of the second syllable’s nucleus. IPA cues help; listen for /ɚ/ vs /ə/ differences.
Key challenges include the cluster /fl/ onset, which demands precise lip rounding for /f/ and /l/; the diphthong /eɪ/ requires a smooth glide, avoiding a pure /e/; and the final /z/ can cause voicing issues if the mouth relaxes too early. In some speakers, the second syllable becomes a reduced schwa, tricky when balancing syllable timing in connected speech.
The plural ending is pronounced as /-əz/ in many dialects, not a full /z/ after a lighter schwa, which can feel like iki: the /v/ precedes, then a weak /ɚ/ or /ə/ and a voiced /z/. Paying attention to the schwa timing and avoiding a heavy vowel before /z/ helps natural rhythm; you’ll hear it as /-əz/ for most speakers.
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- US: end with a rhotic /ɚ/ before /z/. The /ɚ/ often sounds like a quick, almost schwa-like rhotic vowel. - UK: non-rhotic; second syllable more like /ə/ or /ɐ/ with a soft unvoiced or lightly voiced /z/ depending on context. - AU: typically non-rhotic with a vowel closer to /ə/; linked speech may reduce to /ˈfleɪ.vəz/. Vowel quality differences: /eɪ/ remains stable; the preceding /l/ should be light, not darkened. - IPA references: US /ˈfleɪˌɚz/, UK /ˈfleɪləz/ or /ˈfleɪ.vəz/; AU /ˈfleɪ.ləz/ or /ˈfleɪ.vəz/ depending on speaker.
The noun flavor comes from Old French fleur, later influenced by the Latin word saporis (taste, flavor). In English, flavor originally described the sense of taste and aromatic qualities of food, with early uses dating to the Middle Ages. The spelling variation flavour emerged in British English under the influence of the French spelling, aligning with other -our endings like colour and honour. In American English, the -or ending became standard, leading to flavor. The concept broadened over centuries to include not just taste but the overall sensory impression, including aroma and texture. The etymon Old French fleur (flower) is indirectly relevant, as flavor is tied to the bloom of taste sensation; however, the direct lineage into English reflects culinary terminology and the evolution of gastronomy in medieval Europe, with first known uses in culinary and fragrance contexts in the 14th–16th centuries. By the 17th–18th centuries, flavor expanded to metaphorical uses, describing distinctive qualities beyond food, such as the flavor of a story or a character. In recent times, flavor research in the food industry has led to the technical distinction between taste, aroma, and flavor, and the adoption of standardized descriptors in product labeling.
💡 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 "flavors" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "flavors" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "flavors"
-ors sounds
-urs sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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