7 syllables: Im, mu, no, de, fi, cien, cy. Stress on fi.
im-yoo-noh-dif-ISH-uhn-see
/ˌɪmjunoʊˌdɪˈfɪʃənsi/
Immunodeficiency is pronounced im-yoo-noh-dif-ISH-uhn-see (/ˌɪmjunoʊˌdɪˈfɪʃənsi/). It has seven syllables (Im-mu-no-de-fi-cien-cy), with the stress on "fi". Immunodeficiency is a medical condition in which the immune system is weakened, reducing the body's ability to fight infections. It can be congenital or acquired, and ranges from mild to severe, depending on which components of the immune system are affected. The term combines 'immuno-' (immune) with 'deficiency' (lack).
nounImmunodeficiency is a medical condition in which the immune system is weakened, reducing the body's ability to fight infections. It can be congenital or acquired, and ranges from mild to severe, depending on which components of the immune system are affected. The term combines 'immuno-' (immune) with 'deficiency' (lack).
"The patient has an immunodeficiency that requires regular monitoring and prophylactic treatment."
"In many regions, immunodeficiency patients receive vaccines and antibiotics to prevent opportunistic infections."
"Researchers are investigating immunodeficiency disorders to develop targeted therapies."
Pronunciation: /ˌɪ.mju.no.dɪˈfɪʃ.ən.si/ (US/UK). Primary stress falls on the 'fi' syllable: im-mu-no-DI-FI-cien-cy. Break it into four well-timed chunks: IM-mu-no-DI-FI-cien-cy. Ensure the '-fi-' is clearly enunciated and the 'si' at the end is soft. Aim for a smooth flow rather than separate syllables. For audio practice, listen to medical terms on Forvo or YouGlish saying 'immunodeficiency' in a medical context to hear natural phrasing.
Common errors: 1) Misplacing the stress by saying im-MU-no-DEF-i-ciency; correct to IM-mu-no-DI-fi-ciency with primary stress on DI. 2) Slurring 'no' and 'di' into 'nodi' or dropping the stressed syllable; pronounce as separate but connected: no-DI with longer vowel. 3) Saying 'deficiency' as 'deficience' or 'defish-ency'; use /ˈfɪʃ.ən.si/ with full 'fi' and clear 'sh' sound. Practice via slow repetition of the four-beat rhythm, then speed up.
Differences are subtle: US /ˌɪ.mju.no.dɪˈfɪʃ.ən.si/ often reduces the second schwa and has a rhotic American 'r' not present in this word but influences surrounding vowels; UK /ˌɪ.mjuː.nə.dɪˈfɪʃ.ən.si/ tends to a longer /uː/ in the 'mu' syllable (more like 'mew'), and non-rhoticity affects the 'r' absence. Australian usually mirrors UK with a slightly flatter vowel in the first syllable and similar non-rhoticity; vowel quality can shift slightly toward centralized /ə/ in some speakers. Visualize with IPA.
Two main challenges: 1) The sequence 'im-mu-no' includes a cluster of vowels in quick succession; keep each vowel distinct and stress the 'no' syllable. 2) The 'dɪˈfɪʃ.ən.si' ending has a light, unstressed '-en-si' with a soft 'sh' sound in 'fɪʃ' and a syllabic flow that can blur if you rush. Focus on crisp /d/ and /ʃ/, and maintain the main stress on the 'DI' of 'deficiency'.
Does 'immunodeficiency' ever elide syllables in rapid speech? In careful speech, no; in fast medical talk, some speakers may slightly reduce 'no' or 'fi' but native speakers typically retain all four primary syllables with clear vowel boundaries, especially the stressed 'DI'. Practicing with slow-to-fast progression helps you preserve the four-syllable rhythm and avoid running the sound together.
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Immunodeficiency derives from Latin immunis, meaning 'exempt' or 'free from', and Greek od- (pathology) via the root deficiency. The prefix immuno- comes from Late Latin immunitas, itself from Latin immunis, referring to exemption from public burdens; in medicine it evolved to denote immunity. The suffix -deficiency is from Latin deficientia (deficiency) via French and English medical usage, indicating a lack or insufficiency of something. The term immunodeficiency first appeared in medical literature in the mid-20th century as understanding of the immune system’s failures expanded beyond infectious disease. Over time, it broadened to describe both congenital (primary) and acquired (secondary) immune disorders, including conditions like HIV-related immunodeficiency and defects in antibody production. The evolution reflects advances in immunology, including the discovery of T cells, B cells, and phagocytes, and the shift toward classifying immune disorders by the affected components and clinical consequences.
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Words that rhyme with "Immunodeficiency"
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