3 syllables: grass, hop, pers. Stress on grass.
GRAS-hah-purz
/ˈɡɹæˌshɑpɚz/
grasshoppers is pronounced GRAS-hah-purz (/ˈɡɹæˌshɑpɚz/). It has three syllables (grass-hop-pers), with the stress on "grass". Grasshoppers are large, jumping insects known for their powerful hind legs and loud chirping. The term can also refer to a snack or brand names in some contexts. In everyday use, it mostly denotes the insect as a species group, typically encountered in fields and grassy areas. The word emphasizes plural form, indicating more than one grasshopper.
Grasshoppers are large, jumping insects known for their powerful hind legs and loud chirping. The term can also refer to a snack or brand names in some contexts. In everyday use, it mostly denotes the insect as a species group, typically encountered in fields and grassy areas. The word emphasizes plural form, indicating more than one grasshopper.
"The grasshoppers hopped across the meadow after the rain."
"During the summer, grasshoppers chirp loudly at dusk."
"She collected grasshoppers for the science project, then released them near the reeds."
Pronounce it as /ˈɡræsˌhɒpəz/ in UK and /ˈɡræsˌhɑːpɚz/ in US, with two primary syllables: GRAS- and HOP- plus -ers. The stress pattern is first on GRAS and then a secondary stress on HOP, while the final -ers is unstressed or lightly reduced in rapid speech. Mouth: start with a short, open front vowel in GRAS, then a low back rounded vowel in HOP (UK) or a broad open back in US, followed by a schwa-like -əz in the final syllables. Listen for the slight vowel height difference in the second syllable between accents.
Common mistakes include flattening the second syllable into /ɒp/ without the proper -h- onset and not releasing the r-colored or schwa ending. Some speakers blend the -hop- and -pers into a single syllable /ˈɡræspərz/ or mispronounce the first syllable as /ɡreɪ/ or /ɡræsɒp/. To correct: ensure the second syllable has a true /h/ onset and a short, stable /ɒ/ or /ɑː/ depending on accent, then add a clear /p/ followed by an unstressed /ɚ/ or /ə/.
In US English, the first vowel in GRAS remains /æ/ with a rhotic ending /-ərz/, producing /ˈɡræsˌhɑːpərz/. UK English tends to use /ɒ/ in the second syllable and a non-rhotic ending in many dialects, producing /ˈɡræsˌhɒpəz/ or /ˈɡræsˌhɒpəz/ with visually lighter /ə/ endings. Australian English typically shows /ˈɡɹæːʃɒpəz/ with a more centralized second vowel and a slightly trilled or rolled r-like onset in certain regions. Across all, the main stress remains two-stress: GRAS and HOP, but vowel qualities shift subtly.
The difficulty lies in the two-stress pattern within a single word, the cluster /ˈɡræs/ + /ˌhɒ/ or /ˈhɑː/, and the subtle vowel shift in the second syllable. The /h/ onset challenges some speakers, and the final /-əz/ is a reduced, unstressed vowel that can be mispronounced as /-əz/ or /eɪz/. Practicing the separation of the syllables and maintaining a crisp /p/ before the final /əz/ helps keep the rhythm intact.
Grasshoppers often raise questions about syllable boundaries between ‘grass’ and ‘hop’. The natural boundary is between /s/ and /h/, forming two clear syllables: /ˈɡræs/ + /ˌhɒp.əz/. The -ers ending is an unstressed syllable with a schwa-like sound; many learners reduce it to /-əz/ or /-ərz/. Focusing on keeping the /h/ onset audible helps distinguish grassh- and hop- sounds.
🗣️ Voice search tip: These questions are optimized for voice search. Try asking your voice assistant any of these questions about "grasshoppers"!
Grasshopper comes from the combination of grass + hopper, literally a hopper that lives in grass. The noun grasshopper dates back to Middle English, where ‘grass’ referred to the vegetation and ‘hopper’ described a creature that hops. The term aligns with the Germanic roots of many insect names that describe behavior (hopping) rather than a taxonomic group. Over time, the word broadened in casual English to refer specifically to dinat insects of the order Orthoptera, family Acrididae, known for their jumping leaps and, in some species, their sound production via stridulation. In Early Modern English texts, the word appears as ‘grasshopper’ in singular forms with plural forms that followed regular English pluralization: ‘grasshoppers.’ The etymology reflects a straightforward compound naming convention common in agricultural and rural dialects, indicating a species recognized by movement (hopping) within grass fields. First known uses appear in English literature from the 15th–16th centuries, with later standardization in 17th and 18th-century dictionaries. The word’s validity across dialects is strong in American, British, and Australian varieties, though pronunciation drift has subtle regional differences in vowel quality and syllable emphasis. The historical emphasis remains on the insect’s notable hopping habit and habitat.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "grasshoppers" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "grasshoppers" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "grasshoppers" and show contrast in usage.
📚 Vocabulary tip: Learning synonyms and antonyms helps you understand nuanced differences in meaning and improves your word choice in speaking and writing.
Words that rhyme with "grasshoppers"
-ers sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
🎵 Rhyme tip: Practicing with rhyming words helps you master similar sound patterns and improves your overall pronunciation accuracy.
