3 syllables: Hi, a, tus. Stress on a.
heye-AY-tuhs
/haɪˈeɪtəs/
Hiatus is pronounced heye-AY-tuhs (/haɪˈeɪtəs/). It has three syllables (Hi-a-tus), with the stress on "a". Hiatus (noun) refers to a break or interruption in continuity, especially in a sequence or activity. It can denote a pause in a series, a gap in a timeline, or a temporary suspension of a process. In linguistics, it also describes a break between vowel sounds within a word or between adjacent words.
nounHiatus (noun) refers to a break or interruption in continuity, especially in a sequence or activity. It can denote a pause in a series, a gap in a timeline, or a temporary suspension of a process. In linguistics, it also describes a break between vowel sounds within a word or between adjacent words.
How to Pronounce Hiatus
"The band took a six-month hiatus after releasing their new album."
"There was a brief hiatus in the negotiations before talks resumed."
"Her career went on hiatus when she moved abroad."
Hiatus is pronounced hi-AY-tus, with the primary stress on the second syllable. IPA: US/UK/AU /haɪˈeɪtəs/. Tip: start with a light ‘h’ followed by the diphthong /aɪ/ as in 'high,' then a strong /ˈeɪ/ like 'lay,' and finish with /təs/. If you’re listening, you’ll hear a clear separation between /aɪ/ and /eɪ/ in careful speech. You’ll want a crisp /t/ and a reduced syllable-final /əs/ in casual speech.
Common errors: (1) Slurring the /t/ into the following syllable, producing /haɪˈeɪtəs/ with a weak /t/; ensure a crisp /t/ release. (2) Reducing the second syllable to /əs/ without proper /t/ articulation, making it sound like /haɪˈeɪəs/; keep a light /t/ before the final /əs/. (3) Misplacing stress, saying haɪ-ˈeɪtəs or haɪˈeɪ-təs; stress the second syllable firmly. Practice with a tongue-tick to ensure the /eɪ/ receives primary focus.
In US/UK/AU, the core vowel sounds are similar: /haɪ/ as the opening diphthong, then /ˈeɪ/ on the second syllable, with a clear /t/ and final /əs/ in careful speech. In some British varieties, you may hear a slightly elided final syllable or a less pronounced /ə/ in quick speech, but stress remains on the second syllable. Australian speakers often maintain the same stress but may exhibit a flatter /ɜː/ quality in some contexts; overall rhotics are non-rhotic in affected sets, so final r-sound is absent as in non-rhotic English.
The difficulty lies in the two strong, high-front diphthongs /aɪ/ and /eɪ/ back-to-back, requiring precise vowel timing and a distinct boundary between syllables. The /t/ must be released crisply before the final /əs/. Additionally, in fast speech, speakers often merge /eɪ/ with /ə/ or reduce the final /əs/ to /s/ or /əz/. Maintaining the two-stage vowel sequence and a clear consonant boundary is essential for natural, intelligible pronunciation.
The answer is that the word’s etymology suggests a gap or opening, mirroring the two-segment vowel sequence. In your articulation, place emphasis on the /eɪ/ with a brief but audible transition from /aɪ/ to /eɪ/ to signal the syllable boundary, and then finish with a crisp /təs/.
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Hiatus comes from the Latin hiatus, meaning ‘opening, gap, interruption,’ from the verb title ‘to gape.’ The root hiatus is linked to the idea of an opening or gap, and was adopted into English in the late Middle Ages, retaining its sense of a break or gap in continuity. In biology or phonetics, hiatus describes an opening or gap between segments; in everyday use, it denotes a temporary pause. The word’s evolution reflects its core metaphor: a literal or figurative opening between moments of activity. The Latin term entered English through scholarly and literary channels, evolving from its literal signification of a physical gap to more abstract pauses in time, events, or processes. First known use in English appears in medieval texts that borrowed Latin vocabulary to describe interruptions in sequences, and the sense broadened over centuries to include pauses in music, relationships, and ongoing work, maintaining the central concept of a break between parts of a whole.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "Hiatus" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "Hiatus" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "Hiatus"
-sis sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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