2 syllables: Gus, to. Stress on Gus.
GUHS-toh
/ˈɡʌˌstoʊ/
Gusto is pronounced GUHS-toh (/ˈɡʌˌstoʊ/). It has two syllables (Gus-to), with the stress on "Gus". Gusto is a noun meaning strong or hearty enjoyment, enthusiasm, or energy in doing something. It can describe vigorous interest, zest, or a spirited approach to tasks or activities. In usage, it often collocates with adjectives like “great,” “with,” or “show.” The term conveys a positive, lively attitude rather than mere preference.
nounGusto is a noun meaning strong or hearty enjoyment, enthusiasm, or energy in doing something. It can describe vigorous interest, zest, or a spirited approach to tasks or activities. In usage, it often collocates with adjectives like “great,” “with,” or “show.” The term conveys a positive, lively attitude rather than mere preference.
How to Pronounce Gusto
"She tackled the project with great gusto and finished ahead of schedule."
"The chef prepared the feast with culinary gusto, sparking applause from the diners."
"He approached the debate with renewed gusto, arguing his points passionately."
Pronounce as two syllables with primary stress on the first: US /ˈɡʌs.toʊ/, UK /ˈɡʌs.tə/, AU /ˈɡʌs.tə/. Start with a hard G, then a short /ʌ/ as in “strut,” finish with a rounded /oʊ/ in US or a schwa-like /ə/ in UK/AU. Mouth: g position is velar stop, tongue high at the back for /ɡ/, then relax to mid-central for /ə/ or open-mid for /oʊ/. Keep the /s/ crisp. Listen for two distinct vowels in US versus a shorter second vowel in UK/AU. Audio reference: try saying it with a quick, clipped first syllable and a softer second syllable.
Common errors: (1) Slurring the /ˈɡʌs/ with the second syllable, producing something like /ˈɡɑːs-/. (2) Mushing /toʊ/ with /ə/ in UK/AU, saying /ˈɡʌs.tə/ when US expects /oʊ/. Correction: clearly separate syllables, keep /ˈɡʌs/ tight and pronounce /toʊ/ as a distinct, rounded vowel in US; in UK/AU keep /tə/ as a short schwa. (3) Misplacing stress or flattening the first syllable across dialects. Practice by isolating the first beat and ensuring a crisp /s/ before the final vowel.
US: strong two-syllable with final /oʊ/ in many speakers; rhotics may influence perceived r-coloring of preceding vowels. UK/AU: often final syllable reduced to /tə/ or /ər/ depending on speaker, giving /ˈɡʌs.tə/ or /ˈɡʌs.tə/ with a shorter, non-rhotic ending. Vowel duration and clarity of /s/ can vary; US tends to a clearer /toʊ/ whereas UK/AU may reduce to a schwa in fast speech. IPA guidance helps: US /ˈɡʌs.toʊ/, UK/AU /ˈɡʌs.tə/.
It’s tricky because the final vowel in non-rhotic accents is often reduced, making /toʊ/ vs /tə/ a real choice. The onset /ɡ/ is a voiced velar plosive requiring precise tongue position; the /s/ sits between two consonants, demanding a clean, hissed sound. The diphthong in US /toʊ/ contrasts with the short vowel in UK/AU /tə/. Mastery requires crisp separation of /s/ from the following vowel and consistent stress.
The unique aspect is the two-syllable rhythm with sharp initial stress and a possibly reduced final vowel depending on the dialect. For ESL learners, focus on keeping the first syllable clearly stressed (/ˈɡʌs/) while deciding whether to pronounce the second syllable as /toʊ/ (US) or /tə/ (UK/AU) in casual speech. This balance of crisp onset and appropriate vowel reduction defines authentic pronunciation across contexts.
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US: final /oʊ/ is a rounded diphthong; keep lips rounded and glide from /ɔ/ toward /u/ as you land on /oʊ/. UK/AU: final /tə/ or /tə/ is a short, centralized vowel; relax jaw, avoid adding extra vowel length. Consonants: US speakers may pronounce /ɡ/ with a tighter closure; UK/AU speakers may have slightly softer onset. IPA references: US /ˈɡʌs.toʊ/, UK/AU /ˈɡʌs.tə/.
Gusto comes from the Italian word gusto, meaning taste, liking, or appetite. The root is gusto, derived from Latin gustus, meaning taste or flavor, linked to gustus (taste). In Italian, gusto evolved to describe a liking or enthusiasm as a general temperament rather than the physical act of tasting. The term entered English usage in the 17th–18th centuries primarily through Italian culinary and literary contexts where gusto conveyed appetite and vigor. Over time, English adopted it beyond cuisine, adopting a broader sense of zest, energy, and spirited approach. The word’s figurative extension aligns with phrases like “with gusto,” used to describe doing something with energy and enthusiasm. The first known uses in English often appear in discussions of art, literature, or culinary arts where passion and vigor are highlighted. Its semantic expansion from physical appetite to behavioral energy reflects a common pattern in loanwords where a concrete sensation becomes an abstract trait. Today, gusto remains a compact term that signals lively engagement and enthusiastic execution across many domains.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Gusto" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Gusto" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Gusto"
-sto sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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