2 syllables: jack nick, laus. Stress on laus.
jak NIK-lawz
/dʒæk ˈnɪk.lɔːz/
Jack Nicklaus is pronounced jak NIK-lawz (/dʒæk ˈnɪk.lɔːz/). It has two syllables (jack nick-laus), with the stress on "laus". Jack Nicklaus is a renowned American professional golfer whose name is often cited as one of golf’s greatest players. This proper noun combines a common given name with a distinctive family surname, frequently pronounced with careful stress and clear enunciation to honor his identity and achievements.
proper nounJack Nicklaus is a renowned American professional golfer whose name is often cited as one of golf’s greatest players. This proper noun combines a common given name with a distinctive family surname, frequently pronounced with careful stress and clear enunciation to honor his identity and achievements.
How to Pronounce Jack Nicklaus
"During the awards ceremony, you could hear a respectful mention of Jack Nicklaus.”"
"The documentary explained how Jack Nicklaus influenced multiple generations of golfers."
"In golf circles, people often quote the advice attributed to Jack Nicklaus about focus and preparation."
Pronounce Jack as /dʒæk/. Nicklaus is stressed on the second syllable: /nɪkˈlɔːs/ in US and /nɪkˈlɔːs/ in AU/UK, with a clear /l/ onset and final voiceless /s/. The sequence yields /dʒæk nɪkˈlɔːs/. Pay attention to the long vowel in the second syllable of Nicklaus. You’ll hear a steady, victorious cadence when broadcasters say it.
Common errors include softening the final /s/ to a /z/ when it’s isolated, and misplacing the stress on Nicklaus as /nɪkˈlætʃəs/ or /ˈnɪkˌlɔːs/. The surname is two syllables with primary stress on the second: Nick-LAUS. Another mistake is merging Nicklaus into one sound; you should clearly articulate /nɪkˈlɔːs/ with a distinct /l/ onset and crisp /s/. Correct by slow practice, then gradual speed while keeping the stress on LAUS.
In US English, Nicklaus is /nɪkˈlɔːs/ with rhotic /ɹ/ influence minimal; in UK English, expect /nɪkˈlɔːs/ with non-rhotic tendencies affecting the vowel length a bit; in Australian English, /nɪkˈlɔːs/ with a slightly broader vowel in /ɔː/ and a more relaxed /s/. The major difference is vowel quality and the degree of rhoticity; the stress pattern remains on Nicklaus’s second syllable across these accents.
Two main challenges: the surname Nicklaus has a diphthong-like /ɔː/ in the stressed syllable and a crisp, final /s/ that can blur in connected speech; the two-syllable surname with the fronted /nɪk/ plus the rounded /lɔː/ requires precise tongue position. Additionally, the name’s unfamiliarity for non-golf audiences means listeners are more likely to misplace stress or simplify the vowels. Practice by isolating the surname first, then pairing with the given name.
Focus on the main stress: Nicklaus carries primary stress on LAUS (/ˈlɔːs/). The 'Jack' should be a quick, crisp onset: /dʒæk/. The combination emphasizes a two-syllable surname with a clear, long vowel and final /s/. In fast speech, avoid blending Nicklaus into Nicklas or Nicklose; keep /nɪk/ and /ˈlɔːs/ distinct.
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Jack Nicklaus as a proper noun is a compound of a common given name, Jack, a diminutive form of John, from the Hebrew Yohanan, meaning ‘God is gracious.’ Nicklaus is an Anglicized surname of Germanic origin, related to Nikolaus/Nicolaus, from Nikolaos (Greek for ‘victory of the people’). The surname likely developed through Germanic patrilineal naming conventions, with the adding of -us or -laus endings common in Latinized or Anglicized forms in English-speaking contexts. The combination of a straightforward English given name with a distinctively Germanic surname created a recognizably strong personal brand in American sports. The precise spelling “Nicklaus” reflects a Germanic root with the /k/ cluster and the vowel shifts typical of German-influenced Anglophone surnames, while “Jack” has been consistently used in English-speaking contexts since the 19th century as a nickname for John. The first widely documented use of “Jack Nicklaus” to reference the golfer appeared in mid-20th century American sports media as his prominence rose on the PGA Tour, eventually becoming a stable, globally recognized personal name synonymous with golf greatness.
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Words that rhyme with "Jack Nicklaus"
-ess sounds
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