4 syllables: Ha, li, to, sis. Stress on to.
hal-uh-TOH-sis
/ˌhæləˈtoʊsɪs/
Halitosis is pronounced hal-uh-TOH-sis (/ˌhæləˈtoʊsɪs/). It has four syllables (Ha-li-to-sis), with the stress on "to". Halitosis is a medical term for chronic bad breath. It refers to persistent odor from the mouth that can have social or health implications. The word is used in clinical contexts but is also recognized in everyday conversation when discussing oral hygiene or health concerns.
nounHalitosis is a medical term for chronic bad breath. It refers to persistent odor from the mouth that can have social or health implications. The word is used in clinical contexts but is also recognized in everyday conversation when discussing oral hygiene or health concerns.
- You may neutralize the second syllable and compress the rhythm, producing hal-ih-TO-sis; ensure the primary stress remains on the /toʊ/ syllable. - Some speakers move too quickly from /hæ/ to /lɪ/; keep a short, distinct /l/ and a clear /ɪ/ before the vowel change. - Final -sis often becomes a soft or mispronounced /zɪs/ instead of crisp /sɪs/; aim for a clean, voiceless /s/ at the end when followed by a pause or consonant.
"The dentist diagnosed halitosis and recommended improved oral care."
"Persistent halitosis can be a sign of dental or digestive issues that deserve medical attention."
"She was embarrassed by halitosis, so she switched to a stricter brushing routine and mouthwash."
Pronounce as /ˌhælɪˈtoʊsɪs/ in US and UK English, with the secondary stress on the first syllable and primary stress on the third syllable: hal-ih-TOH-sis. Lip rounding is minimal on the first syllable, the middle is a clear /l/ blend, and the final -sis ends with /s/. For accuracy, place the main stress on -toʊ-, and ensure the vowels are crisp: /ˈhæl/ then /ɪ/ then /ˈtoʊ/ then /sɪs/.
Common errors: misplacing the primary stress too early (saying hal-ih-TO-sis instead of hal-ih-TOH-sis); using a lax /oʊ/ as a short /o/ (saying hal-ih-TO-sis); and turning the final -sis into a hard /z/ with extra emphasis (over-articulating /s/). Correction tips: hold the /toʊ/ syllable longer, ensure the /oʊ/ is a true long diphthong, and end with a crisp /s/ rather than a voiced /z/ sound before the following word.
US/UK/AU share the same basic structure /ˌhælɪˈtoʊsɪs/, but vowel quality and rhotics differ. US tends to be rhotic with a more rounded /oʊ/; UK often has a slightly tighter /oʊ/ or /əʊ/ depending on speaker; AU vowels can approach /ɔː/ in some dialects but typically retain /oʊ/ for this word. The main stresses remain the same, but vowel coloration and subtle consonant touches (like t) may vary slightly in connected speech.
Two main challenges: the multi-syllabic rhythm with a late primary stress on the third syllable can trip you up, and the mid-word /lɪ/ followed by /toʊ/ can blur in connected speech. The diphthong /oʊ/ requires a smooth glide from /o/ to /ʊ/ or /uː/ depending on accent. Keep the tongue low for /hæ/ and lift to articulate /lɪ/ clearly before opening into /toʊ/.
This term often triggers attention to the sequence /lɪˈtoʊ-/ where the /l/ and short /ɪ/ are quickly followed by the strong diphthong /oʊ/. You’ll want a clean separation between /l/ and /ɪ/, then glide into /toʊ/. Remember to keep the final /sɪs/ light and not like a double-sound of /s/ then /z/.
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- US: rhotic; allow /ɹ/ near the end of the word to be light. Vowel /oʊ/ tends to be fuller, sometimes moving toward /oə/ in rapid speech. - UK: non-rhotic; /ˈtoʊ/ may sound closer to /təʊ/ with a tighter de-emphasized r-coloring; keep final /s/ crisp. - AU: tends toward broader open vowels; ensure the /oʊ/ glide stays distinct from /s/; keep the /l/ clean and light. - In all accents, ensure the /ˈtoʊ/ is a strong, clear peak and the final /s/ is a voiceless, sharp sibilant.
Halitosis comes from the Late Latin halitus (‘breath’ or ‘blowing’) combined with the Greek -osis, a suffix meaning ‘condition’ or ‘process.’ The preface halitus has roots related to gas or exhalation, and the term was formed in medical Latin during the 19th century as clinicians sought a precise label for chronic mouth odors. The scientific naming pattern in medicine often attaches -osis to indicate a disease-like state or abnormal condition. Early usage in medical literature appears in English-language clinical texts of the 19th century, where specialists described patient presentations with persistent oral malodor as a distinct condition requiring diagnosis and management. Over time, halitosis broadened beyond strictly clinical jargon to common usage, while still retaining its technical tone in medical and dental discussions. The term’s familiarity grew with dental hygiene education and media coverage of health concerns surrounding mouth odor. In contemporary usage, halitosis denotes a persistent or chronic condition rather than a fleeting, temporary odor, and may be caused by oral, systemic, or dietary factors. The word retains its Latin-Greek construction, signaling its medical heritage while remaining accessible to non-expert readers in health information contexts.
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Words that rhyme with "Halitosis"
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