2 syllables: gas, tric. Stress on gas.
GAS-trik
/ˈɡæstɹɪk/
gastric is pronounced GAS-trik (/ˈɡæstɹɪk/). It has two syllables (gas-tric), with the stress on "gas". Gastric refers to the stomach, or to the stomach’s function or secretions. It is often used in medical contexts (gastric acid, gastric cancer) but can appear in general anatomy discussions. The term conveys a stomach-related or stomach-origin aspect and is typically used as an adjective.
Gastric refers to the stomach, or to the stomach’s function or secretions. It is often used in medical contexts (gastric acid, gastric cancer) but can appear in general anatomy discussions. The term conveys a stomach-related or stomach-origin aspect and is typically used as an adjective.
- You may overemphasize the /æ/ and turn the word into GAS-TRICK with a rounded mouth; keep /æ/ crisp and short. - Some speakers insert extra vowel between /s/ and /t/, making /ˈɡæ.sə.trɪk/; avoid adding a schwa. - Misplacing stress onto the second syllable or making /tr/ into a dull blend; maintain strong initial stress and a clean /tr/ onset. - Final /k/ can be weak; ensure the /k/ is released as a clear alveolar stop, not a soft /t/ or /g/. Tip: practice by saying “gas-trick” in quick succession, then separate to emphasize the /æ/ and /tr/ separately.
"The patient underwent a gastric bypass procedure to treat obesity."
"Gastric juice contains acid and enzymes essential for digestion."
"He reported gastric discomfort after the meal."
You say GAS-tric, with the primary stress on the first syllable. IPA: US/UK/AU: /ˈɡæs.trɪk/. The mouth position starts with a closed front vowel for /æ/ as in bat, then a light /t/ before the final /ɪk/ vowel cluster; ensure the /t/ is not overly released. Listen for a crisp first syllable followed by a shorter, unstressed -tric.
Common errors: over-aspirating the /æ/ or turning /ɡ/ into a softer ‘guh’ sound, and misplacing stress or the /t/ into a flap. Correct by keeping /ˈɡæs/ as a strong, crisp syllable, then quickly glide into /trɪk/ with an unobtrusive /t/. Practice with minimal pairs like gas-trick to tighten the contrast.
US/UK/AU all share GAS-tric, but rhoticity and vowel cleanliness differ. In US and AU, /ɡæs/ may be slightly nasal with stronger /æ/, while UK tends to a flatter /æ/ and brisk /trɪk/. AU often merges vowels more neutrally; aim for a tight /trɪk/ cluster across all.
Three factors contribute: a tense /æ/ in a closed syllable, a /t/ before /r/ that can turn into an affricate or a light alveolar stop, and the final /ɪk/ cluster that can drift toward /ɪk/ or loosen to /ɪk/. The tightly packed consonant cluster /str/ can blur; keep /s/ and /t/ distinct while maintaining a smooth /ɪk/ ending.
The /æ/ in GAS is short and bright, not the longer /eɪ/ or /ɑː/ found in some dialects, making it easy to overextend if you’re thinking of ‘gas’ extended. Focus on crisp onset with /ɡ/ and a clean release into /æs/ before the /tr/. The stress pattern and syllabic timing are straightforward, but the /tr/ cluster requires precise tongue positioning and a quick, light /t/ release.
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- US: maintain rhotic vowel quality on other words, but gas- does not require rhoticity; keep /æ/ bright. - UK: reduce vowel length and keep the /æ/ crisp, with a slightly more fronted tongue position; /tr/ should be a crisp cluster without over-voicing. - AU: tends toward a neutral vowel, less diphthongal lip movement; keep /æ/ compact and avoid rounding. Use IPA references to track changes: /ˈɡæs.trɪk/ across accents.
Gastric comes from Latin stomachus, which, in turn, derives from ancient Greek gastros (stomach). The form gastric entered English via Late Latin gastricus and Medieval Latin gastricus, produced to align with medical terminology. The root gast- conveys the stomach, while -ic is a common adjectival suffix meaning pertaining to. The word has long functioned in anatomy and medicine to describe things related to the stomach, such as gastric juice, gastric ulcers, or gastric cancer. In the 18th and 19th centuries, as modern medicine developed, gastric appeared as a precise descriptor in clinical texts, displacing older, vaguer terms. Its use today remains largely within technical or clinical discourse, though it appears in lay contexts (e.g., gastric bypass) to denote procedures intended to affect the stomach’s size or function. First known English use aligns with medical Latin loanwords in the Renaissance revival of anatomical nomenclature, solidifying its place in contemporary medical vocabulary.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "gastric" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "gastric" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "gastric"
-tic sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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