2 syllables: Jaund, ice. Stress on Jaund.
JAWN-duhs
/ˈdʒɔndəs/
Jaundice is pronounced JAWN-duhs (/ˈdʒɔndəs/). It has two syllables (Jaund-ice), with the stress on "Jaund". Jaundice is a medical condition characterized by a yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes due to elevated bilirubin levels. It is not a disease itself but a sign that can result from liver disease, gallbladder problems, or certain blood disorders. In general use, it can also refer to a person or behavior marked by envy or prejudice, though this sense is uncommon in medical contexts.
nounJaundice is a medical condition characterized by a yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes due to elevated bilirubin levels. It is not a disease itself but a sign that can result from liver disease, gallbladder problems, or certain blood disorders. In general use, it can also refer to a person or behavior marked by envy or prejudice, though this sense is uncommon in medical contexts.
"Her doctor diagnosed jaundice after she reported yellowing of her sclera and skin."
"The newborn baby developed jaundice, which required phototherapy to reduce bilirubin."
"The essay used the word jaundice to describe a biased, color-tinged portrayal of the issue."
Jaundice is pronounced as /ˈdʒɔːn.dɪs/ in US and UK English. The stress falls on the first syllable: /ˈdʒɔːn/. The second syllable starts with the consonant /d/ and ends with a lax /ɪs/. Mouth position features a voiced palato-alveolar affricate /dʒ/ at the start, a mid back rounded vowel /ɔː/ in the nucleus, and a quick /n/ followed by a unstressed /dɪs/. Note the initial “j” is like “job,” followed by “awn” as in “yawn,” then “diss.” Audio reference: listen to native speakers on Pronounce or Forvo for the exact cadence and slight regional variation.
Two common errors: (1) Mispronouncing the initial /dʒ/ as a simple /j/ (y sound). This softens the word and removes the correct affricate. Remedy: produce a brief stop, then release with the /ʒ/ component: /dʒ/. (2) Over-simplifying the second syllable to /jən/ or /dɪs/ without the proper /ɔː/ nucleus; many speakers use a shorter /ɔ/ or misplace the tongue. Focus on maintaining the long‑vowel /ɔː/ and the final /n.dɪs/ cluster. Slow practice with minimal pairs helps: jaundice vs. jones, jaundice vs. jundis.
In US and UK, the primary difference is vowel quality and rhoticity. US speakers typically maintain /ˈdʒɔːn.dɪs/ with rhotic influences present in some dialects; UK RP often shows a clear /ɔː/ and less length contrast in non-rhotic speech. Australian pronunciation may feature slightly shorter vowel duration, with a tight /ɔː/ and a crisper /dɪs/. All share the initial /dʒ/ sound and final /dɪs/ syllable. Listen to region-specific recordings on Pronounce or YouGlish to compare.
The difficulty lies in the initial affricate /dʒ/ and the long back vowel /ɔː/ followed by a fast /n.dɪs/ cluster. Learners often substitute /j/ or misplace the tongue for /ɔː/ (using /ɔ/ or /ɒ/). Additionally, the soft onset can blur nasal and alveolar stops when spoken quickly, making it sound like /ˈdʒaʊn.dɪs/ or /ˈdʒɔːn.dɪs/ inconsistently. Practice stabilizing the back-vowel duration and articulatory timing between syllables, with attention to the /n/ and the following /d/.
A key nuance is the blunt consonant cluster at the boundary: the end of the first syllable ends with /n/ before the /d/ onset of the second syllable. This makes the transition moment crucial: avoid a suprasegmental glottal stop or vowel intrusion that can blur the /nd/ blend. Also, the first syllable carries primary stress; ensure the /ɔː/ is full and not shortened by the following consonant. Hearing examples from native doctors or medical educators helps fix the exact cadence.
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Jaundice derives from the Old French jaunisse, from jaunir “to turn yellow,” which itself comes from jaune “yellow” (Latin galbinus, from galbinus meaning pale yellow). The root ja- is linked to the Latin jaundice concept through late Latin jaudicantia and the medieval Latin jaunditia, all signaling yellowing. The term entered English in the 14th–15th centuries, originally medical, describing scleral and cutaneous yellowing. Over time, jaundice broadened into metaphorical uses reflecting moral or political “yellow” bias, though this sense remains rare today. In medical usage, the etymology underscores the color change produced by bilirubin accumulation, a byproduct of heme breakdown. First known usage in English appears in medical texts around the 1400s, with more systematic descriptions emerging in the 17th–19th centuries as liver and hematologic theories refined. The concept evolved from observational notes of patients with yellowish skin to a defined clinical sign tied to many hepatobiliary and hematologic conditions. The term’s evolution mirrors advances in understanding bilirubin metabolism, bilirubin conjugation in the liver, and the diagnostic significance of yellow sclera in clinical practice.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Jaundice" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Jaundice" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Jaundice"
-ess sounds
-age sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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