2 syllables: Hor, net. Stress on Hor.
HAWR-nit
/ˈhɔɹnɪt/
Hornet is pronounced HAWR-nit (/ˈhɔɹnɪt/). It has two syllables (Hor-net), with the stress on "Hor". Hornet is a stinging insect resembling a wasp, typically larger with a dark thorax and lighter abdomen. It also refers to a person who irritates or harasses others. In conversational use, it can symbolize aggression or a fiery temperament. The term appears in both literal and metaphorical contexts, often conveying intensity or danger.
nounHornet is a stinging insect resembling a wasp, typically larger with a dark thorax and lighter abdomen. It also refers to a person who irritates or harasses others. In conversational use, it can symbolize aggression or a fiery temperament. The term appears in both literal and metaphorical contexts, often conveying intensity or danger.
"The hornet buzzed restlessly around the garden, chasing any intruder near its nest."
"After the bee sting, she wore a look of stubborn resolve, a real hornet in battle."
"The coach warned the team not to underestimate the hornet on defense."
Pronounce as two syllables with primary stress on the first: /ˈhɔːr.nɪt/ in US/UK/AU. Start with the open back rounded vowel in the first syllable, then a clear /r/ after it, followed by a short, unstressed /ɪ/ and a final /t/. Visualize saying HOR as in “horoscope,” then net without a strong pause between syllables. You can listen to native examples on Pronounce or Forvo for auditory confirmation.
Common errors: (1) Pronouncing the first syllable with /ɔː/ too open or too closed; aim for a mid-to-open back vowel /ɔː/ with rounded lips. (2) Slurring the /r/ or making it an /ɹ/ with no vowel to follow; ensure a light but audible rhotic /r/. (3) Final /t/ not released; you should have a crisp alveolar stop with a (released) touch. Practice the transitions between /ɔː/ and /r/ and the post-vocalic /ɪ/ before /t/ to fix these.
In US English, /ˈhɔːr.nɪt/ with rhotic /r/. In many UK accents, the /r/ is non-rhotic, sounding like /ˈhɔː.nɪt/ unless followed by a vowel; Australians generally keep rhoticity closer to US, with a slightly more centralized /ɪ/ and maybe a weaker /t/ release. Vowel duration and quality vary: US tends to hold the /ɔː/ longer; UK may shift toward /ɒ/ in some dialects. Listening to regional recordings helps map these subtleties precisely.
Because it combines a tense back vowel in the first syllable, a post-vocalic /r/ that can fuse in non-rhotic varieties, and a final voiceless alveolar stop /t/ that often reduces in casual speech. Many learners misplace lip rounding or misarticulate the /r/ after the vowel, causing an indistinct first syllable. Focusing on the clear two-syllable sequence and precise /t/ release helps overcome these challenges.
There is no silent letter in Hornet, and the stress is clearly on the first syllable: HOR-nit. The key feature is the rhotacized /r/ in rhotic accents and the short, crisp /ɪ/ before the final /t/. Ensure the mouth opens a bit for /ɔː/ in the first syllable, then relaxes into /ɪ/ for the second, finishing with a crisp alveolar /t/. This combination makes Hornet sound distinct across dialects while remaining recognizable.
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Hornet comes from Middle English hornet, derived from Old English hornet or hornet meaning a horned insect, which itself traces to Proto-Germanic *horniz. The form has ties to the notion of a horned insect, likely referencing the horn-like projections or the buzzing, aggressive nature. By the 14th century, hornet referred specifically to the large stinging wasp-like insect observed by English speakers. The word has since maintained its core meaning of an aggressive, stinging arthropod, while also acquiring metaphorical senses in English literature and colloquial speech to describe a person who is irritable, fierce, or confrontational. Over time, the sense of danger and aggressiveness embedded in “hornet” became a portable metaphor for tenacious, irritating behavior, especially in competitive or combative contexts. First known usage appears in Middle English texts, with roots likely pre-dating the 12th century, though the exact earliest instance is difficult to pinpoint due to sparse records of colloquial species names in early lexicography.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Hornet" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "Hornet"
-me) sounds
-net sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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