2 syllables: I, bis. Stress on I.
EYE-buhs
/ˈaɪbəs/
Ibis is pronounced EYE-buhs (/ˈaɪbəs/). It has two syllables (I-bis), with the stress on "I". Ibis is a noun referring to a wading bird with a long curved bill, found in wetlands worldwide. The term also appears in ornithology to describe several genera of birds within Threskiornithidae. In common use, it often denotes the sacred ibis or related species seen at marshlands and in zoos. (2–4 sentences, concise and precise.).
nounIbis is a noun referring to a wading bird with a long curved bill, found in wetlands worldwide. The term also appears in ornithology to describe several genera of birds within Threskiornithidae. In common use, it often denotes the sacred ibis or related species seen at marshlands and in zoos. (2–4 sentences, concise and precise.)
"The ibis waded through the shallow pool looking for small fish."
"A conservation project aimed to protect the ibis habitat along the river."
"At the zoo, the ibis stretched its long bill toward the water."
You say /ˈɪ.bəs/ in casual American speech, but many speakers in careful or formal contexts say /ˈiː.bɪs/ or /ˈaɪ.bɪs/ depending on influence. The traditional classical form is /ˈaɪ.bɪs/. Beginners should start with /ˈaɪ.bɪs/ then adjust toward a shorter first vowel to /ˈɪ.bəs/ in rapid speech. Stress is on the first syllable, with a light, unstressed second syllable. Audio references: you can hear variations on Pronounce and Forvo, search “ibis pronunciation.”
Common errors include pronouncing as two even syllables with a hard final s, or saying the second syllable as /iːs/ or /iːz/. Correct by keeping the second syllable short and reduced: /ˈɪ.bəs/ or /ˈaɪ.bəs/, with the final consonant brief and lightly released. Ensure the first vowel isn’t overly long; keep the mouth relatively relaxed for /ɪ/ or /ɪ/ depending on your target accent, and finish with a soft /s/ or /z/ depending on context. Practice tapping the rhythm: strong on first syllable, quick on second.
In US, you’ll hear /ˈaɪ.bɪs/ or /ˈɪ.bəs/ with a rhotic or near-rhotic influence and a shortened second syllable. In UK, expect /ˈaɪ.bɪs/ with clear, clipped second syllable and slight non-rhoticity; in careful speech you may hear /ˈaɪ.bɪs/ with less vowel reduction. Australian tends to be /ˈaɪ.bɪs/ but vowel quality may skew toward /ɪ/ or /ə/ depending on region and connected speech. Focus on keeping the first diphthong clear and the second syllable light across all three.
The difficulty stems from a short, reduced second syllable and a potentially ambiguous first vowel in some accents. The contrast between /ˈaɪ/ vs /ˈɪ/ or /ə/ in the second syllable can create mispronunciations, especially for speakers whose L1 lacks reduced syllables or strong final consonants. Training to keep a crisp but short second syllable and controlled release of /s/ helps. IPA guidance: /ˈaɪ.bɪs/ vs /ˈɪ.bəs/; mouth positions: begin with a wide mouth for /aɪ/, then relax to /ɪ/ and finally a light /s/.
A unique facet is the potential variation between /ˈaɪ.bɪs/ and /ˈɪ.bəs/ across dialects, driven by first-syllable vowel shift and second-syllable vowel reduction. In careful, enunciated speech, you’ll often hear /ˈaɪ.bɪs/ with a fuller second vowel, whereas in quick speech, /ˈɪ.bəs/ or /ˈaɪ.bəs/ is common. This distinction matters for SEO and voice search, where exact IPA forms improve recognition; listen for whether the second syllable is clearly pronounced (ɪ) or reduced (ə).
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The word ibis comes from Latin ibis, which itself derives from Ancient Greek ibís (ἶβις), likely imitating the bird’s cry. The Greek term may have further traces to earlier Phrygian or Egyptian terms used in classical natural histories. In English, ibis appears in print by at least the 17th century, aligning with early naturalists who used classical names to catalog birds. The broader family Threskiornithidae, which includes ibises and spoonbills, emerged from taxonomic classifications in the 19th and 20th centuries as ornithology standardized genus-level groups. The name’s usage has persisted in both scientific references and common parlance, often linked to particular sacred or iconic species (e.g., the sacred ibis in ancient Egyptian culture). “Ibis” as a common noun has not shifted dramatically in meaning, though popular culture and media have broadened to include ornamental bird species and brand names. First known use in English literature traces back to natural history compendia of the early modern period, with later adoption in field guides and encyclopedias as global bird watching grew. The evolution reflects a journey from classical familiarity to contemporary biodiversity awareness.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Ibis" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Ibis" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Ibis"
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