2 syllables: ha, bits. Stress on ha.
HAB-uhts
/ˈhæbəts/
habits is pronounced HAB-uhts (/ˈhæbəts/). It has two syllables (ha-bits), with the stress on "ha". habits is the plural noun for customary practices or repeated behaviors. It denotes actions repeated regularly, often unconsciously, that shape daily routines and personal or societal patterns. The term emphasizes habitual, rather than intentional, conduct and can refer to positive routines or negative, unwanted behaviors.
habits is the plural noun for customary practices or repeated behaviors. It denotes actions repeated regularly, often unconsciously, that shape daily routines and personal or societal patterns. The term emphasizes habitual, rather than intentional, conduct and can refer to positive routines or negative, unwanted behaviors.
"She has healthy habits like exercising every morning and eating vegetables."
"Breaking old habits can be challenging, but small, persistent changes help."
"Public health campaigns target smoking and poor sleep habits."
Pronounce as /ˈhæbɪts/. The primary stress is on the first syllable: HABI-TS. Start with a short, open front vowel /æ/ like ‘cat’, then a reduced /ə/ in the second syllable. The final /ts/ is a crisp voiceless alveolar affricate sequence, often realized as a quick [t] release followed by an unstressed sibilant. Tip: keep the /b/ light and plosive, avoid lip clustering with /h/.
Two common errors: 1) Over-smoothing the /t/ into a stop without release, giving /ˈhæbɪt/ with a clipped final; ensure the /t/ releases into a soft /s/. 2) Misplacing stress or length on the second syllable, producing /ˈheɪbɪts/ or /ˈhæbiːts/. Use a clear, brief /t/ release and keep the first syllable crisp: /ˈhæbɪts/.
In US, UK, and AU, the core /ˈhæbɪts/ remains, with minor vowel quality differences. US tends toward a slightly lax /æ/ and a darker /ɪ/ in rapid speech. UK often maintains a crisper /æ/ and may have subtle vowel shortening in faster speech. Australian tends to a more centralized /æ/ and a slightly flatter vowel quality; final /t/ can be a light tap in connected speech, and /s/ may be less sibilant in informal speech.
The word poses two challenges: the /æ/ vs /æ/ split and the final consonant cluster /ts/. The /t/ should be released into /s/ without an intrusive vowel; many speakers insert a light vowel, producing /ˈhæbɪət s/ or /ˈhæbɪt s/. Also, keeping the /b/ from coalescing with the following /ɪ/ requires precise articulation so the /b/ remains clear and not elided in fast speech.
A notable feature is how the /t/ interacts with following /s/ in rapid speech; speakers may reduce or assimilate the /t/, producing a light /ɹ/ or /ts/ blend depending on pace and dialect. In careful speech, you’ll clearly hear the /t/ release before the /s/. In casual speech, you may hear a subtle glottalization of /t/ before /s/ and a softer /s/.
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habits originates from Middle English habite or habit, from French habitude, ultimately from Latin habitus meaning disposition, condition, or dress. The core sense was “the way one holds oneself or conducts oneself,” extending to clothes or manner of living. In early English, it referred to clothing or bearing, then to regular practices and routines. By the 15th–16th centuries, habit began to denote customary practices or routines, including a person’s established behaviors. The plural form habits appears as the natural pluralization of habit, used to refer to multiple routines or patterns across individuals or groups. Today, habits commonly discuss ongoing or automated behaviors, with a strong emphasis on routine repetition that shapes outcomes. The evolution reflects a shift from tangible dress or bearing to abstract behavioral patterns, mediated by psychology, social norms, and self-regulation theories. The term crossed into scientific discourse with the study of habitual actions in psychology and neuroscience, highlighting cue-response loops in habit formation and habit breaking. First known uses are attested in Middle English and early Modern English texts, aligning with the broader semantic drift from “manner, mode, or customary way” toward the behavioral science sense used today.
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Words that rhyme with "habits"
-its sounds
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