3 syllables: in, ter, course. Stress on in.
/ˈɪntɚˌkɔɹs/
Say it backIntercourse refers to communication between individuals or groups, or, in a historical sense, the exchange of information, ideas, or goods. In modern usage, it most often denotes social or sexual activity, depending on context and formality. The term can be formal or clinical, and it may appear in discussions of relationships, history, biology, or law.
"- Academic studies often examine the intercourse of cultures through trade and travel."
"- Proper medical interviews require sensitive handling of sexual intercourse topics."
"- The book discusses the intercourse of nations and how diplomacy shapes policy."
Pronounce as IN-tur-kawrs in US or IN-tuh-kawss in UK; the primary stress is on the first syllable. IPA: US /ˈɪn.tɚ.kɔːrs/, UK /ˈɪn.təˌkɔːs/. Start with a short, crisp 'in' followed by a schwa or reduced 'tər' and finish with an open back vowel in 'course'/kɔːrs. Mouth: lip relaxed, tongue high-mid for the initial vowel, the second syllable reduces to a quick 'tər' or 'tə', and end with a long back rounded 'aw' plus an 's'.
Common errors: flattening the second syllable so it becomes 'in-ter-kors' with a strong, short 'kor' instead of the reduced 'kɔːs'; misplacing the 'r' in non-rhotic accents leading to 'in-ter-corse' instead of 'kɔːrs'. Correction: keep a light, quick 'tər' or 'tə' and ensure the final 'course' uses the long back vowel /ɔː/ before an /s/. Practice by isolating syllables: IN- (short i) + tə/tər + kɔːs.
US: rhotic /ɹ/ pronounced; 'in-tər-kɔːrs' with a rhotic ending. UK: non-rhotic or variably rhotic; 'in-tə-kɔːs' or 'in-təˈkɔːs' with a shorter, lighter r. AU: tends toward non-rhotic tendencies similar to UK, with a broad /ɔː/ in 'course' and a flatter final consonant. IPA references: US /ˈɪn.tɚ.kɔːrs/, UK /ˈɪn.təˌkɔːs/, AU /ˈɪn.təˌkɔːs/.
Because of the combination of a reduced schwa in the second syllable and the rounded back vowel /ɔː/ in the final syllable, which can blur in fast speech. The sequence /n.tɚ/ or /n.tə/ requires careful articulation to avoid a lisp or slurring, and the final /kɔːr/ vs /kɔːs/ needs distinct mouth shaping. Place the tongue for /ɚ/ or /ə/ quickly, then glide into /k ɔː r s/.
The final consonant cluster /rks/ can be tricky if the 'r' is lightly pronounced or dropped in non-rhotic dialects before an /s/. Ensure a clear /r/ followed by /ks/ or, in some dialects, a subtle /s/. Focus on sustaining the /ɔː/ vowel before the final /s/ so it doesn’t become /ɔː/ or /ɔːr/ in error.
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Intercourse comes from Middle English intercors, from Latin inter- ‘between’ + cursus ‘a running, a course’ (cursus is a noun meaning course or running). The prefix inter- signals “between,” while cours is related to running or a path. In Old French, the term intercourse appeared as entrecours. The primary sense historically referred to “a running between” or “communication between people,” especially in contexts of trade and diplomatic exchanges. By the 17th and 18th centuries, the term broadened to denote the act of social, conversational, or intimate encounters, though certain senses—especially sexual intercourse—were increasingly specialized and typically clarified by surrounding terminology. In modern English, intercourse commonly means sexual relations in everyday usage or general contact and communication in academic or formal contexts. First known uses in English date to early modern texts, with variations appearing in Latin and French sources that influenced legal, philosophical, and social literature. Over time, the word has retained a core sense of contact or exchange, while the sexual meaning has become the most familiar colloquial reference for many speakers, sometimes requiring context to avoid ambiguity.
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Words that rhyme with "intercourse"
-rse sounds
-rce sounds
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