One syllable: Hush.
huhsh
/hʌʃ/
Hush is pronounced huhsh (/hʌʃ/). It has one syllable (Hush), with the stress on "Hush". Hush is a short, monosyllabic noun meaning a command or attempt to induce silence. It conveys calm or quiet urgency and appears in phrases like “hush now” or “keep the hush.” The term often signals a request for quiet in a intimate or informal setting, and it can function as a noun referring to quiet itself or as a verb meaning to silence. It is typically used in spoken English, with a concise, clipped pronunciation.
nounHush is a short, monosyllabic noun meaning a command or attempt to induce silence. It conveys calm or quiet urgency and appears in phrases like “hush now” or “keep the hush.” The term often signals a request for quiet in a intimate or informal setting, and it can function as a noun referring to quiet itself or as a verb meaning to silence. It is typically used in spoken English, with a concise, clipped pronunciation.
- Vowel elongation: You might lengthen the /ʌ/ into a longer sound like /ʌː/ when emphasizing. Keep it short and crisp. - Final consonant misarticulation: Some learners substitute /ʃ/ with /s/ or /tʃ/. Focus on the retroflex-like blade position for /ʃ/. - Voicing bleed on /h/: Don’t add voicing before /h/. Keep /h/ as a breathy release.
"- The librarian whispered, “Hush, please.”"
"- Let’s keep this as a hush-toned secret between us."
"- A sudden hush fell over the crowd when the speaker appeared."
Hush is pronounced /hʌʃ/. Begin with a voiced glottal onset /h/ followed by the /ʌ/ vowel (like the “u” in
Common errors include prolonging the vowel into /ʊ/ or /ɜː/ and misarticulating the final /ʃ/ as /s/ or /tʃ/. To fix: keep the tongue low-mid for /ʌ/, and end with a clear postalveolar /ʃ/ by placing the tongue blade near the palate without lip rounding. Shorten the initial /h/ release. Practice with minimal pairs like /hʌʃ/ vs /hɜːʃ/ to reinforce the correct vowel and affricate ending.
In US/UK/AU, /h/ remains the same, but vowel quality shifts slightly: US typically /hʌʃ/ with a lax /ʌ/; UK often closer to /hɒʃ/ in some dialects, but standard British is still /hʌʃ/. Australian is generally /hʌʃ/ but with a more centralized vowel in some regions. The /ʃ/ is consistent in all. Stress remains on the word as a single syllable. Speaking quickly may reduce vowel length in casual speech, but the core sounds stay /h/ + /ʌ/ + /ʃ/.
The challenge lies in delivering a crisp /h/ onset without voicing bleed, maintaining a clear /ʌ/ vowel, and producing a precise /ʃ/ without adding voice or coarticulation from surrounding sounds. Beginners may inadvertently pronounce /hæʃ/ or /hɪʃ/ due to similar vowels. Focus on a quick, light /h/ followed by a short /ʌ/ and a distinct postalveolar fricative /ʃ/. Practicing with minimal pairs helps internalize the timing.
The unique feature is the short, clipped vowel and the high-fronted vowel timing that makes /ʌ/ feel mid back rather than a front vowel. You may also notice subtle lip tension to prepare for /ʃ/. Keeping the jaw relaxed and preventing vowel elongation ensures the word feels tight and immediate, which is essential for the “hush” effect.
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Hush originates from the Old English word husian, related to the Proto-Germanic *husaną, which carried the sense of stillness or silence. Over time, hush consolidated as a common interjection and noun, used to demand quiet in both domestic and public contexts. The sense evolved from an imperative urging a halt to sound to a general label for quiet moments or hushed tones. In Middle English, hush appeared in poetry and sermons, often conveying admonition or intimate counsel. The word's usage broadened in the 17th–19th centuries as English speakers sought a short, direct command for silence, frequently appearing in stage directions, literature, and child-rearing speech. Today, hush remains a staple in informal English, easily understood and deployed across regions, with its brevity and phonetic clarity. The sound pattern—one syllable, with a voiceless glottal stop variant in rapid speech—has contributed to its longevity and versatility in idiomatic expressions like “in a hush” or “hush-hush.”
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "Hush" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "Hush" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Hush" and show contrast in usage.
📚 Vocabulary tip: Learning synonyms and antonyms helps you understand nuanced differences in meaning and improves your word choice in speaking and writing.
Words that rhyme with "Hush"
-ush sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
🎵 Rhyme tip: Practicing with rhyming words helps you master similar sound patterns and improves your overall pronunciation accuracy.
