3 syllables: ho, mer, ic. Stress on mer.
hoh-MER-ik
/hoʊˈmɛɹɪk/
homeric is pronounced hoh-MER-ik (/hoʊˈmɛɹɪk/). It has three syllables (ho-mer-ic), with the stress on "mer". Homeric describes relating to Homer, especially the epic poetry attributed to Homer, or resembling his grand, elevated style and heroic themes. The term can also refer to something characteristic of ancient Greek epic poetry, characterized by grandeur, formal diction, and heroic subjects. In modern usage it may denote an epic, grandiloquent quality in language or tone.
Homeric describes relating to Homer, especially the epic poetry attributed to Homer, or resembling his grand, elevated style and heroic themes. The term can also refer to something characteristic of ancient Greek epic poetry, characterized by grandeur, formal diction, and heroic subjects. In modern usage it may denote an epic, grandiloquent quality in language or tone.
"The professor cited Homeric similes to illustrate the vivid, extended comparisons used in ancient epic poetry."
"Her performance carried a Homeric air, full of ceremonial gravity and timeless diction."
"The novel opens with a Homeric epic—vast landscapes, monumental struggles, and a mythic bravado."
Homeric is pronounced ho-MER-ik in most varieties of English. The primary stress is on the second syllable. IPA: US/UK/AU: /ˌhoʊˈmɛrɪk/ or /ˈhoʊmərɪk/ depending on stress pattern; common variant is /hoʊˈmɛrɪk/ with a clear /ɛ/ in the second syllable. For clarity: ho (like ho, as in 'ho-ho-ho') + mer (mer as in 'mermaid') + ic (ik as in 'tick'). You’ll hear the second syllable carry the stress, and the final -ic pronounced as /ɪk/. Audio references: consult Cambridge/Oxford for slight variant; aim for a smooth, two-beat rise into the stressed syllable.
Common errors include stressing the first syllable (HO-me-rik) instead of the second (ho-MER-ic), and mispronouncing the mid vowel as /æ/ or /ɛ/ instead of a more neutral /ɛ/ or /ɜː/ depending on accent. Another frequent issue is over-articulating the final /ɪk/ so it sounds like -icky; keep the final /ɪk/ short and clipped. Practice with the sequence HO-mer-ic and force the middle syllable to bear primary weight: ho-MER-ic, not HO-me-rik.
In US, stress is typically on -mer-: ho-MER-ic, with a rhotic /r/ and a clear /oʊ/ in the first syllable. UK often tames the /oʊ/ toward /əʊ/ and maintains a non-rhotic quality in some speakers, though /r/ can be silent before consonants; still, in word-internal position you may hear an /r/ sound. Australian tends to be closer to US vowel qualities but with a slightly broader vowel; /ɪ/ final is common. Overall, the primary differences are rhoticity and vowel realization in the first two syllables, with the middle syllable bearing stress in most varieties.
The challenge lies in the two-syllable rhythm with a strong stress on the second syllable and a careful handling of the diphthong in the first syllable /hoʊ/. The /r/ in the middle can be tricky for non-rhotic speakers, and the final /ɪk/ must be short and reduced in some accents. Also, the sequence ho-MER-ic requires precise timing to avoid a clipped or overpronounced ending. Practicing the transition between /oʊ/ and /m/ helps smooth the flow.
A distinctive feature is the secondary stress pattern that some speakers place subtly on the first syllable when reading aloud with epic gravitas, creating a ceremonious pace: ho-MER-ic with a fleeting, light initial sound. Another nuance is the subtle vowel shift in fast speech, where /oʊ/ can reduce toward /o/ or /əʊ/ depending on accent. For SEO, emphasize the -MER- as the core stress anchor and practice with a two-beat intonation contour from the first to the second syllable.
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Homeric derives from Homer, the presumed ancient Greek poet traditionally credited with composing the Iliad and the Odyssey. The adjective form to describe anything related to Homer or his epics emerged in classical scholarship and Latinized cultures; the -ic suffix signals “of or pertaining to.” The word’s roots trace to the Greek name Homer (Ὅμηρος, Homēros). In classical Greek, Ὅμηρος referred to the poet; by extension, any epic representation associated with his works was described as Ὁμηρικός (Homerikos). Latin scholars adopted Homericus, then English borrowed Homeric in the 17th–18th centuries, aligning with other epic-tinged terms like epic/epopean. The term has evolved to capture not only textual attribution but a stylistic register—grand, elevated, ceremonious, and highly allusive—reminiscent of Greek epic diction. First known English attestations appear in scholarly contexts that discuss Homeric verse, epic similes, and Homeric themes, later permeating literary criticism and general use as a descriptor for anything that evokes the epic scale and diction of Homer’s poetry.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "homeric" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "homeric" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "homeric"
-ric sounds
- ic sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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