2 syllables: Fra, cas. Stress on Fra.
FRAY-kuhs
/ˈfɹeɪkəs/
Fracas is pronounced FRAY-kuhs (/ˈfɹeɪkəs/). It has two syllables (Fra-cas), with the stress on "Fra". Fracas is a loud, disorderly quarrel or uproar involving multiple people. It typically refers to a noisy altercation in public or social settings, often with physical confrontations or shouting. The term emphasizes rowdy, chaotic behavior rather than a measured dispute.
nounFracas is a loud, disorderly quarrel or uproar involving multiple people. It typically refers to a noisy altercation in public or social settings, often with physical confrontations or shouting. The term emphasizes rowdy, chaotic behavior rather than a measured dispute.
"A fracas broke out outside the stadium after the game, with fans pushing and shouting."
"The argument in the cafe escalated into a fracas that drew the attention of staff."
"Police were called after a fracas between rival groups spilled into the street."
Fracas is pronounced with two syllables: FRĀ-kəs in US style or FRĀ-KOSS in some British renditions; IPA US: /ˈfræ.kæs/, UK: /ˈfræ.kɑːs/. Start with a strong, short 'a' as in 'cat,' then a quick 'k' into a soft 'əs' or 'ass' depending on dialect. Stress on the first syllable. Think: FRAC-as, with a crisp onset and a light, unstressed second syllable.
Common mistakes include merging the two syllables into a single slurred sound or misplacing the stress on the second syllable. Another error is lengthening the second vowel or turning the final 'as' into 'ass' in non-rhotic speech. Correct by maintaining a clear 2-syllable pattern, stressing the first syllable and ending with a short, clipped 'əs' or 'æs' depending on accent.
In US English, /ˈfræ.kæs/ with a short 'a' in both syllables and a rhotic 'r' absence doesn't apply here since there’s no 'r' after the initial consonant. In UK English, /ˈfræ.kɑːs/ often features a broader, more open second vowel and sometimes a non-rhotic soft 's' at the end. Australian tends toward /ˈfræ.kæs/ but may show a slightly shorter or crisper final vowel depending on speaker, with less vowel diphthong shift.
The difficulty lies in the crisp separation of the two syllables and the final 'as' cluster. Many speakers mispronounce it as FRAS-kas or misplace the stress to the second syllable. Achieve accuracy by practicing a strong initial /fr/ blend, a precise short /æ/ in the first syllable, and a clipped final /kəs/ or /kæs/ with a quick release.
There are no silent letters in Fracas, but the key is the stress pattern and the quality of the vowel sounds. The primary stress sits on the first syllable. Ensure you articulate the /æ/ clearly in the first syllable and finish with a short, unstressed /əs/ or /æs/, depending on dialect. Visualize articulator positions and keep the second syllable light.
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US: rhoticity not involved here; focus on crisp /fr/ onset and short /æ/ then /kæs/. UK: more open second vowel, often /ˈfræ.kɑːs/; aim for a longer second syllable but still short final /s/. AU: tends to be /ˈfræ.kæs/ with similar American vowel quality but may sound more clipped in rapid speech. Reference IPA: US /ˈfræ.kæs/, UK /ˈfræ.kɑːs/, AU /ˈfræ.kæs/; practice listening for subtle differences in second syllable length and vowel quality.
Fracas comes from the French fracas, borrowed into English in the 19th century. The root idea is a noisy, chaotic clash, often tied to public disturbance. Its usage broadened from literal street clashes to general tumultuous scenes. The word likely derives from an older French or Latin base related to breaking or shattering sounds, though exact derivation is debated in lexicographic histories. Initially used to describe violent scuffles in Europe, fracas migrated to English-speaking regions where journalists adopted it to convey vivid, high-energy disorder. Over time, it retained its sense of a loud, unruly disturbance rather than a private, quiet argument, which is reflected in contemporary media and literature. First known English attestations appear in mid-1800s sources, with the term quickly popularizing in reportage and fiction to capture scenes of chaotic confrontation.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Fracas" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "Fracas"
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