2 syllables: fu, ses. Stress on fu.
/ˈfjuzəz/
fuses is pronounced /ˈfjuzəz/. It has two syllables (fu-ses), with the stress on "fu". Fuses is the third-person singular present tense of fuse, meaning to join or blend parts into a single union. It can also be a noun in some technical contexts, referring to devices that protect circuits by melting open when overloaded. The plural noun sense is rare in everyday use. The pronunciation centers on a clear /f/ onset and a voiced /z/ at the end.
Say it backFuses is the third-person singular present tense of fuse, meaning to join or blend parts into a single union. It can also be a noun in some technical contexts, referring to devices that protect circuits by melting open when overloaded. The plural noun sense is rare in everyday use. The pronunciation centers on a clear /f/ onset and a voiced /z/ at the end.
"The electrician fuses the two wires together with a heat-resistant connector."
"In the circuit, fuses are designed to blow if there's an overload."
"They fuse the memories of old friends into a single, shared story."
Pronounce it as /ˈfjuːzɪz/. The first syllable carries primary stress. Start with /f/ (lip-to-lip friction) then /j/ glide into /uː/ like 'few'. The second syllable is /zɪz/ with a voiced z-sound and a short, unstressed vowel. End with /z/ rather than /s/. Visualize: FOOZ-iz. For careful articulation, keep your teeth gently touching and avoid adding an extra syllable.
Common errors: 1) Slurring the /juː/ into a quick /uː/ or misplacing the y-glide, resulting in /fuːzɪz/; 2) Final /z/ becoming /s/ in pluralized nouns, yielding /ˈfuːzəs/ or /ˈfjuːzs/; 3) Dropping the initial /f/ or misarticulating it as /h/ or /v/. Correction tips: keep the /f/ sharp, glide into /uː/ with a clear /j/ before the vowel, and voice the final consonant as /z/ with steady, not devoiced, airflow. Practice: /f/ + /j/ + /uː/ + /z/ + /ɪ/ + /z/.
US/UK/AU share the /ˈfjuːzɪz/ core, but rhoticity and vowel quality matter. US often maintains a strong /juː/ glide after /f/ with less vowel reduction, UK may show a slightly shorter /uː/ and crisper /z/; AU generally aligns with non-rhotic tendencies but keeps the /juː/ clear in careful speech. The final /z/ stays voiced in all, though pace and intonation can alter perceived length. Listen for the length of the /uː/ and the transition into /z/ across accents.
The difficulty lies in the subtle /juː/ glide after /f/ and the transition into a voiced final /z/. The mouth must maintain a continuous airflow through a brief sonorant /j/ before the long /uː/ vowel, then quickly switch to /z/. Non-native speakers often mispronounce by doubling the vowel or de-voicing the final consonant. Focus on the smooth glide and keeping the final /z/ voiced and audible in rapid speech.
A unique feature is the dual onset with /fj/ sounding closer to /f/ plus /j/ in quick succession, creating a y-glide before the long /uː/. This tiny /j/ is easy to overlook but crucial for naturalness. Training tip: practice by saying 'few's' quickly, then attach the final /ɪz/ to form /ˈfjuːzɪz/ and ensure the /j/ color remains audible between /f/ and /uː/.
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- US: maintain full /juː/ and voiced /z/; avoid rounding the lips too early, which can blur the glide. - UK: slight shortening of /uː/ and crisper /z/; ensure rhotics are not overemphasized in connected speech. - AU: similar to US, but you may hear a marginally broader vowel quality; maintain the /j/ glide and voiced final /z/. Use IPA references /ˈfjuːzɪz/ across all. - General tip: keep the tip of the tongue near the alveolar ridge for /f/ and /z/, relax the jaw, and allow a quick y-glide before the long vowel.
Fuse comes from the Latin to burn or melt, fusus, via the French fuse. The verb fuse entered Middle English through Old French fuser, from Latin fundere meaning to pour, melt, or shed. The sense of joining or uniting materials was established by the 15th century in technical contexts (smelting, metallurgy, and later electrical fuses). The noun fuse, as a device designed to melt under excessive current, emerged in the 19th century with the expansion of electrical engineering. Over time, natural language usage broadened fuses as a third-person singular form and as a plural noun in specialized contexts (e.g., protective devices, or metaphorical “two ideas fuse” phrases). The root notion centers on blending materials through heat, a conceptual thread that persists in both literal and figurative uses.
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Help others use "fuses" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "fuses" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "fuses" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "fuses"
-ses sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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