6 syllables: Hy, po, gly, ce, mi, a. Stress on ce.
heye-poh-gleye-SEE-mee-uh
/ˌhaɪpoʊɡlaɪˈsimiə/
Hypoglycemia is pronounced heye-poh-gleye-SEE-mee-uh (/ˌhaɪpoʊɡlaɪˈsimiə/). It has six syllables (Hy-po-gly-ce-mi-a), with the stress on "ce". Hypoglycemia is a medical condition characterized by an abnormally low level of blood glucose. It typically presents with symptoms like dizziness, sweating, and confusion, and requires prompt recognition and treatment. The term comes from Greek roots meaning “under” (hypo) and “sweet” (glycemia).
nounHypoglycemia is a medical condition characterized by an abnormally low level of blood glucose. It typically presents with symptoms like dizziness, sweating, and confusion, and requires prompt recognition and treatment. The term comes from Greek roots meaning “under” (hypo) and “sweet” (glycemia).
"The patient experienced hypoglycemia after skipping a meal."
"In diabetics, improper insulin dosing can lead to hypoglycemia."
"They monitored blood glucose to prevent hypoglycemia during the fast."
Hypoglycemia is pronounced hi-poe-gly-SEE-mee-uh with primary stress on the syllable gly (the third from the end in many pronunciations). IPA US: /ˌhaɪ.poʊ.ɡlaɪˈsiː.mi.ə/. UK: /ˌhaɪ.pə.ɡlaɪˈsiː.mi.ə/. AU: /ˌhaɪ.pə.ɡlaɪˈsiː.mi.ə/. Start with hi (high) + po (poe) + gly (glie) + cem (see) + ia (ee-uh).
Common errors: misplacing the primary stress, saying hy-PO-gly-SEE-mi-a instead of hi-po-GLY-see-mee-a, and mispronouncing the -cemia portion as -kemia or -simi-a. Correction: keep the stress on gly- as -GLY-; pronounce the final -mia as -mee-uh, and ensure the -gly- syllable uses a clear long I sound /aɪ/ rather than a shortened /i/ in gly.
All three accents share the hi- and -gly- components, but vowel quality shifts: US tends toward a stronger /ˌhaɪ.poʊ.ɡlaɪˈsiː.mi.ə/ with a clear long I in gly; UK often maintains /ˌhaɪ.pə.ɡlaɪˈsiː.mi.ə/ with lighter first syllables and non-rhoticity affecting r-less pronunciation; AU is similar to UK but may reduce the first vowel slightly and lengthen the final -ia. In all, rhoticity mostly affects the American pronunciation of -ria in other words, not hypoglycemia’s core final vowels.
It combines multiple morphemes with less-common clusters: hypo- (under), gly- (glucose), -cemia (blood condition). The two consecutive glides in -gly- and the final -mia vowel sequence require precise tongue positioning and a clear long I in gly. Rapid speech can blur the -gly- syllable and shorten the final -mia, so you’ll benefit from slow practice to establish the syllable boundaries and the long I sound.
Unique concern is the three-syllable rhythm before the -mia ending, with a mid-word primary beat at gly. You’ll often see listeners defaulting to -kemia; keep the -gly- prominent and stretch the -see- syllable in si- to ensure clear vowel quality. Use a light but precise jaw lowering for hypo- and a distinct alveolar contact for the final 'mia' to avoid slurring.
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Hypoglycemia is formed from the Greek hypo- meaning under or below, combined with glycemia from gly- (sweet, glucose) and -emia (a blood condition). The term emerges from medical discourse in the late 19th to early 20th century as clinicians categorized dysglycemia by glucose in blood. Early usage tracked the rise of diabetes management and lab-measured blood sugar, with hypoglycemia first appearing in clinical notes and pharmacology literature addressing adverse insulin effects. Over time, it became a standard clinical diagnosis and public health concern, particularly in the context of diabetes treatment and metabolic disorders. The word moved from scientific jargon into broader medical education and patient-facing resources as awareness of glucose regulation increased. By the late 20th century, hypoglycemia was widely used in guidelines, case reports, and pharmacovigilance, reflecting its critical role in acute care and chronic disease management.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Hypoglycemia" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "Hypoglycemia"
-mia sounds
-me) sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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