One syllable: jobs.
/dʒɑbz/
Say it backJobs refers to paid employment or positions held by individuals within organizations. In broad use, it can also mean roles or tasks one performs. The term often appears in discussions of employment, hiring, and labor markets, and is commonly used in both formal and informal speech to denote specific occupations or job opportunities.
"I applied for several jobs after finishing college."
"The company is creating new jobs in the tech division."
"She has two part‑time jobs to support her studies."
Pronounce it as /dʒɑːbz/ in US and AU, and /dʒɒbz/ in UK. Start with the /dʒ/ as in “judge,” then the stressed vowel in a single syllable /ɑː/ or /ɒ/ depending on accent, followed by a voiced z /z/. The final sound is a crisp /z/, with the mouth closed tight enough to release voicing. Keep it short and smooth, not lengthened. You can listen to native examples on Pronounce or YouGlish for comparison.
Common mistakes include pronouncing the vowel as a short /æ/ (like ‘jab’), or delaying the final /z/ into a /s/ or /z/ inconsistently. Ensure the vowel is a tense /ɑː/ (US) or /ɒ/ (UK) and finish with a voiced /z/. Also avoid turning it into two syllables by keeping it as a single, rapid onset with a clear /z/ end. Practice by chaining /dʒ/ + long vowel + /bz/ until it sounds tight and natural.
In US English, /dʒɑːbz/ with a broad /ɑː/ or /ɑ/ depending on speaker; rhotic but not strongly, with clear /z/. UK tends to use /dʒɒbz/ with a shorter /ɒ/ and tighter vowel; AU is similar to UK but may have slightly broader diphthongs and reduced /ɒ/ toward /ɐ/. The key is the initial /dʒ/ and the final voiced /z/, while the middle vowel quality shifts by accent.
The challenge lies in smoothly transitioning from the affricate /dʒ/ to the open mid vowel and into the voiced /z/ without inserting extra syllables or voiceless frication. The tongue starts high for /dʒ/, then relaxes into an open mid vowel before quickly engaging the voiceless-to-voiced boundary of /bz/—or /bz/—which can cause devoicing if not timed correctly. Precision on the vowel length and voicing is essential.
A distinctive feature is keeping the /dʒ/ onset crisp and avoiding a post‑alveolar fricative that some learners produce when English clusters are difficult. Another is ensuring the middle vowel doesn't reduce to a schwa; instead, keep a full /ɑː/ or /ɒ/ to maintain the single‑syllable integrity and a clean /bz/ ending. Paying attention to the voicing switch into /z/ is also crucial for natural rhythm.
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Jobs originated in Middle English as a plural of the word job, which itself derives from the Old English jobbe or joban meaning a strike or certain task. The sense of a ‘task’ or ‘portion of work’ predates its modern usage related to employment. The concept of a job as employment solidified in the 15th–16th centuries with laborers taking on distinct roles, with “job” evolving to describe a specific assignment or position. In 16th‑ to 18th‑century commerce, jobs referred to appointments or assignments in guilds and workshops. The modern sense of “a paid position of regular employment” became dominant by the 19th century as industrial economies expanded. The plural form “jobs” naturally accompanied discussions of labor markets, hiring, and career paths, and in contemporary usage, it also appears in phrases like “job opportunities” and “job security.”
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "jobs" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "jobs" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "jobs" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "jobs"
-obs sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
🎵 Rhyme tip: Practicing with rhyming words helps you master similar sound patterns and improves your overall pronunciation accuracy.
