2 syllables: Hos, pice. Stress on Hos.
HAH-spuhs
/ˈhɑspəs/
Hospice is pronounced HAH-spuhs (/ˈhɑspəs/). It has two syllables (Hos-pice), with the stress on "Hos". Hospice is a specialized form of end-of-life care that focuses on comfort and quality of life for patients with terminal illnesses, often provided in a home-like setting or dedicated facility. It also denotes the organized program delivering this care, including medical, emotional, and practical support for patients and families. The term emphasizes palliative rather than curative treatment, with an emphasis on dignity and symptom relief.
nounHospice is a specialized form of end-of-life care that focuses on comfort and quality of life for patients with terminal illnesses, often provided in a home-like setting or dedicated facility. It also denotes the organized program delivering this care, including medical, emotional, and practical support for patients and families. The term emphasizes palliative rather than curative treatment, with an emphasis on dignity and symptom relief.
"The family arranged hospice services to ensure her final weeks were comfortable."
"Hospice care can be provided at home, in a hospice facility, or in some hospitals."
"They chose hospice to focus on comfort rather than aggressive treatment."
Pronounce as HO-spis with the main stress on the first syllable. IPA for US: ˈhɒ.spɪs, UK: ˈhɒ.spɪs, AU: ˈhɒ.spɪs. Start with a short open back rounded vowel for the first syllable, then a crisp /s/ and a short /ɪ/ followed by /s/. Think: HOH-spiss with a light t-into-s feel, but no extra syllable. You’ll want the second syllable quickly after the first, without elongating the vowel. Listening to native speakers will help fine-tune the vowel length and the final /s/.
Common errors: 1) Overpronouncing the second syllable (/ˈhɒspɪs/ vs /ˈhɒp.sɪs/ with an unnecessary pause). 2) Turning it into HO-spy-ses or HO-spiss-ee by adding extra vowel sounds. 3) Slurring the /sp/ cluster into /sp/ with a weak /s/ at the end. Correction: keep /sp/ together, reduce vowel length in the second syllable, and end with a crisp /s/. Listen for native rhythm: HO-spis, not HO-spy-s.
In US/UK/AU, the primary difference is vowel quality in the first syllable. US often uses a near-open front unrounded /ɒ/ (as in cot) with the first vowel slightly raised in rapid speech, UK tends to a similar /ɒ/ with non-rhoticity affecting the following consonant flow, and AU can have a slightly more centralized starting vowel. The final /s/ generally remains a clear voiceless alveolar fricative in all: /s/. Stress remains on the first syllable. Overall, the main variations are vowel height and length before the /s/.
The difficulty lies in the short, lax vowel in the first syllable and the /sp/ cluster. The transition from /ɒ/ to /sp/ requires quick, precise timing; you want a clean /s/ immediately after the vowel rather than a vowel lengthening. Additionally, the final /s/ must be crisp to avoid sounding like /z/. Practicing minimal pairs with other /ɒsp/ sequences helps solidify the exact tongue position and voiceless end. IPA cues: /ˈhɒ.spɪs/.
There is no silent letter in standard pronunciation of hospice. All letters in the syllables carry sound: /ˈhɒ.spɪs/. There is no nasalization in steady speech, though in connected speech some speakers may slightly nasalize the /ɒ/ depending on surrounding vowels, but this is not phonemic. The key is crisp /h/ onset, clear /ɒ/ vowel, /sp/ cluster, and final /ɪ/ plus /s/.
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Hospice comes from the Old French hospice, meaning a guesthouse or lodging for travelers, derived from Latin hospitium, meaning hospitality or guest-house. In Middle English usage, the term referred to shelter for the sick, travelers, or pilgrims, often indicating a charitable or religious dwelling. The modern sense evolved in the 20th century to describe specialized end-of-life care focused on comfort, symptom management, and support for patients and families, rather than curative treatment. The shift reflects a broader medical and social movement toward domiciled and palliative support, with hospices expanding from charitable organizations to formal healthcare programs. First known English attestations appear in the 14th-15th centuries in religious and charitable contexts, but the contemporary medical meaning solidified in the latter half of the 20th century as hospice care became a recognized field in many countries.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Hospice" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Hospice" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Hospice"
-osh sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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