3 syllables: gen, i, tal. Stress on gen.
JEN-uh-tuhl
/ˈdʒɛnətəl/
genital is pronounced JEN-uh-tuhl (/ˈdʒɛnətəl/). It has three syllables (gen-i-tal), with the stress on "gen". Genital refers to the external or internal organs related to reproduction, especially the male or female sex organs. In medical and biological contexts, genital describes anatomy associated with sexual reproduction, including the external structures and the glands or tissues within. The term is used in clinical, educational, and anatomical discussions rather than casual conversation.
Genital refers to the external or internal organs related to reproduction, especially the male or female sex organs. In medical and biological contexts, genital describes anatomy associated with sexual reproduction, including the external structures and the glands or tissues within. The term is used in clinical, educational, and anatomical discussions rather than casual conversation.
"The doctor explained the anatomy of the genital region during the anatomy lecture."
"She studied genital anatomy as part of her medical school coursework."
"Genital health is an important aspect of overall wellbeing, particularly in adolescence."
Genital is pronounced with stress on the first syllable: /ˈdʒɛnɪtəl/. Start with the
Common errors include misplacing stress (say /dʒəˈnɪtəl/), or turning /dʒ/ into /g/ or mispronouncing the middle vowel as /i/ in some dialects. Another frequent slip is reducing the second syllable too much, sounding like /ˈdʒɛnɪˌtʊl/ instead of /ˈdʒɛnɪtəl/. Correct by emphasizing the first syllable and ending with a light /əl/.
In US/UK/AU, the initial /dʒ/ sound remains, as in 'judge.' The primary variation is vowel quality: US tends to a rounded, slightly nasal /ɛn/ vs UK’s perhaps crisper /ˈdʒɛnɪtəl/. Rhotic differences don’t affect this word significantly; the /t/ is typically a released stop in all varieties, and the final /əl/ often sounds with a schwa plus dark L in many accents.
The challenge lies in the sequence /dʒ/ + /ɛn/ + /ɪ/ + /təl/, especially keeping the first syllable stressed and the second unstressed, while ensuring the final syllable has a clear /əl/ without a strong vowel intrusion. Speakers often misplace the tongue for /dʒ/ or merge /ɪ/ with /ɛ/. Practice by isolating the tricky cluster /dʒɛn/ before adding the /ɪ/ and /təl/.
Yes, the fifth phoneme is a clear, light /t/, not a flap or glottal stop, followed by a soft /əl/. The /ɪ/ is short rather than lengthened, so avoid turning it into /iː/. Also ensure the first syllable carries primary stress; misplacing it toward the second syllable dilutes clarity.
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US: rhoticity affects vowel length and the presence of flapped or approximant consonants in connected speech; UK/AU: non-rhotic tendencies may change the vowel duration subtly. Vowel quality for /ɛ/ may be a bit tenser in US, more centralized in UK, and AU often features vowel lift in /ɪ/. IPA anchors: /ˈdʒɛnɪtəl/. - Vowels: /ɛ/ as in 'bet' with a clear mid-front vowel; /ɪ/ as in 'kit' is short and clipped; /ə/ (schwa) in some contexts; final /əl/ often includes a light lip rounding. - Consonants: /dʒ/ as in 'gem'; /t/ crisp release; /l/ light or dark depending on dialect; rhotics vary by accent but not in this word’s core pronunciation. - US: try a slightly more open /ɛ/ and a clearer /t/. UK: can be slightly clipped; AU: tends to a more centralized vowel in some speakers, but primary stress remains on the first syllable.
Genital derives from Latin genitalis, related to genitus ‘born, produced, offspring,’ from gignere ‘to beget, produce.’ The term appears in medieval Latin to denote ‘produced by birth’ and gradually specialized to anatomy, referring to organs of reproduction. By the 17th century, European medical writers used genitalia to name reproductive structures; English adoption followed in medical literature, with genital as an adjective and noun. Over time, the word broadened from a strict anatomical descriptor to more general usage in health, biology, and sexual education. Today, genital remains chiefly a formal, clinical term used in textbooks and professional discourse, with sensitivity in casual conversation due to its explicit sexual connotations. The etymology reflects Latin roots for birth and production, tracing a path from generic ‘produced’ to a precise anatomical category. First known English usage appears in medical contexts around the 16th-17th centuries, aligning with the expansion of human anatomy as a discipline in Europe. The word has retained its core meaning while adapting to modern medical and educational lexicon, with potential regional and register-based nuances in connotation. In contemporary usage, the term is widely understood in both clinical and educational settings, but is less common in casual, everyday speech outside formal contexts.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "genital" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "genital" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "genital"
-ial sounds
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