2 syllables: Hor, us. Stress on Hor.
HAW-ruhs
/ˈhɔɹəs/
Horus is pronounced HAW-ruhs (/ˈhɔɹəs/). It has two syllables (Hor-us), with the stress on "Hor". Horus is a male Egyptian god associated with the sky, kingship, and protection, often depicted as a falcon or falcon-headed man. In scholarly contexts, the name refers specifically to this deity within Egyptian mythology. The term is used in literature, archaeology, and popular culture to denote the deity or its attributes, with attention to its historical and mythological significance.
nounHorus is a male Egyptian god associated with the sky, kingship, and protection, often depicted as a falcon or falcon-headed man. In scholarly contexts, the name refers specifically to this deity within Egyptian mythology. The term is used in literature, archaeology, and popular culture to denote the deity or its attributes, with attention to its historical and mythological significance.
"The ancient temple housed effigies of Horus guarding the pharaoh's tomb."
"Scholars discuss Horus's role in the Osiris myth and the protection of the ruler."
"In the museum, a relief illustrates Horus watching over the horizon."
Horus is pronounced HOH-ruhs in American English, with the first syllable stressed. IPA: US ˈhɔːrəs or US ˈhoʊrəs, allowing a slight variation between /ɔː/ and /oʊ/ depending on the speaker. In UK English, it commonly lands at ˈhɔːrəs, with a long second vowel and a reduced second syllable. In Australian English, many speakers say ˈhɒrəs or ˈhɔːrəs, with a broad, flat vowel in the first syllable. Keep the final syllable unstressed: -rus.
Two common errors: (1) pronouncing the first vowel as a pure /o/ as in 'more' instead of the more open /ɔː/ or /ɔː/ variant; (2) merging the two syllables into a single beat, producing HO-rus as a closed syllable without smoothing the /r/ and schwa. Correct by aiming for a crisp /ɔː/ or /ɔː/ in the first vowel, gently releasing the second syllable with a light schwa, and keeping the /r/ lightly voiced. Practicing with minimal pairs like 'chorus' versus 'Horus' helps maintain the distinct first syllable.
In US and UK, the first syllable tends to carry primary stress: /ˈhɔːrəs/ or /ˈhoʊrəs/, with a rhotic or near-rhotic approach to the /r/. UK speakers often lengthen the /ɔː/ and maintain non-rhotic tendencies in some dialects, which affects the /r/ sound. Australian English typically uses a broad /ɒ/ or /ɔː/ in the first vowel, with a lightly tapped or approximant /ɹ/ depending on the speaker, but still preserves the two-syllable cadence. Overall, the main variance lies in the first vowel quality and the rhotic realization of /r/.
The difficulty comes from the two-syllable structure with a stressed first syllable and a short, unstressed second syllable. The first vowel can be reported as /ɔː/ or /ɔː/ depending on region, while the final -us is reduced to a schwa. The intervocalic /r/ can be a light tap or approximant, and many speakers carry over from common words like 'chorus,' which is a near-homograph, causing mispronunciations. Focus on the distinct first vowel and light, clear final vowel.
A unique feature is the clear, stressed first syllable with a long, open-mid front vowel quality in many dialects, followed by a weakly pronounced second syllable. The /r/ may be rhotic or non-rhotic depending on accent, but the crucial element is maintaining separation between syllables: HO-rus rather than HOR-us. Also, avoid turning it into 'horus' with an even distribution of stress; keep the primary stress on the first syllable for clarity.
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Horus derives from ancient Egyptian Horu- or Hor- root forms associated with heights, horizons, and the sky. Early hieroglyphic representations and reliefs identify the deity as Horus, with the falcon symbolism linked to the god’s sky-associated power. The term traveled through Greek and Latin translations as Horus, preserving the core masculine and protective connotations. In Egyptian religion we see variations like Har- in Harakhte and Heru- in Heru-wer; over time, Horus became a central figure in myths, most notably as the son of Osiris and Isis and as the protector of the pharaoh. The 3rd millennium BCE texts anchor Horus as a guardian of kingship and royal legitimacy, evolving in later periods to symbolize sun-related daily battles and horizons. By late antiquity and into modern scholarship, Horus is consistently treated as a composite symbol: the falcon embodiment of divine vision, rightful sovereignty, and cosmic order, integrating political and theological dimensions that persist in modern cultural references and popular media.
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Words that rhyme with "Horus"
-rus sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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