One syllable: gums.
guhmz
/ɡʌmz/
gums is pronounced guhmz (/ɡʌmz/). It has one syllable (gums), with the stress on "gums". Gums are the tissue that surrounds and supports the teeth in the mouth. As a plural noun, it typically refers to the gums; in dentistry or anatomy contexts, it can also be used to describe the gum tissue collectively. The term emphasizes the soft mucosal borders of the dental arches and their role in oral health and stability. (2-4 sentences, ~60 words).
Gums are the tissue that surrounds and supports the teeth in the mouth. As a plural noun, it typically refers to the gums; in dentistry or anatomy contexts, it can also be used to describe the gum tissue collectively. The term emphasizes the soft mucosal borders of the dental arches and their role in oral health and stability. (2-4 sentences, ~60 words)
"The dentist warned that inflamed gums could lead to periodontal disease."
"She brushed gently along the gumline to remove plaque."
"Gums are reddish-pink and must be kept clean to prevent infection."
Pronounce as /ɡʌmz/ (US/UK/AU share the same basic sound). Start with a voiced velar stop /ɡ/ as in 'go', then the open-mid back lax vowel /ʌ/ (as in 'strut'), followed by the nasal /m/ with lips closed, and finish with the voiced dental/alveolar sibilant /z/. Ensure the /m/ and /z/ are connected smoothly; avoid a harsh transition to /s/. IPA: /ɡʌmz/.
Common errors include replacing /ɡ/ with a /d/ or /k/ sound (e.g., 'dums' or 'kums'), mispronouncing the final /z/ as a voiceless /s/ (sounding like 'ums'), and omitting the nasal /m/ or turning the sequence into a vowel + /z/ (e.g., 'guz'). To correct: keep the initial stop fully voiced, close lips for /m/ before transitioning to /z/, and voice the final /z/ clearly in connected speech.
In US, UK, and AU, the core /ɡʌmz/ sequence remains similar. Slight vowel quality differences occur: US /ʌ/ tends toward a fuller, tenser vowel; UK /ʌ/ may be more centralized; AU is often similar to US but with subtler vowel width. All are rhotic in these dialects, so the /ɡ/ onset and /z/ coda are consistent; differences are mainly vowel height/quality and subtle vowel length in rapid speech.
Difficulties include the abrupt transition from a voiced velar stop /ɡ/ to the bilabial nasal /m/, and then to a voiced alveolar sibilant /z/ in a single syllable. The cluster requires precise voicing and timing to prevent a de-voiced /s/ or an unreleased /m/. Also, the tongue must lower between /ɡ/ and /m/ without letting air escape awkwardly. Practicing the sequence slowly helps you stabilize the jaw and lip positions.
Focus on the /m/ closure before the /z/ release; ensure you don’t nasalize the /z/ or vocalize the /m/ too strongly into a vowel. A practical cue is to say 'gum' quickly, then add the final /z/ without re-voicing or aspirating. Keeping the tongue low for /ʌ/ and preparing lips for /m/ before the final consonant will help you maintain a clean, connected /ɡʌmz/.
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Gums originates from Old English gum, gumma, related to the Proto-Germanic gummaz, denoting something that clings or bonds. Historically, the word has been used to describe the soft tissue around teeth in medical and anatomical texts since at least the medieval period, with early Latin and Greek dental terminology influencing later English usage. The modern anatomical term gingiva derives from Latin gingiva, fused into English as gum and gums in everyday speech. The sense evolved from a general term for any supporting tissue to a precise anatomical region around teeth, highlighting cultural emphasis on dental health, hygiene, and the importance of soft tissue in oral function. By the 19th and 20th centuries, dental science standardized gum terminology, differentiating gingiva from bone and dentin, and using gum disease as a key clinical category. First known uses appear in translated medical compendia and anatomical dictionaries, illustrating the shift from a broad tissue reference to a focused dental structure. (200-300 words)
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "gums" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "gums"
-ums sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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