2 syllables: Kio, sk. Stress on Kio.
KEE-awsk
/ˈkiˌɔsk/
Kiosk is pronounced KEE-awsk (/ˈkiˌɔsk/). It has two syllables (Kio-sk), with the stress on "Kio". Kiosk (noun): a small structure or booth, often enclosed, where goods or services are sold or information is provided. It is typically self-service and located in public spaces, airports, or shopping centers. The word emphasizes a compact, accessible point for transactions or guidance, distinct from a larger shop or stand.
nounKiosk (noun): a small structure or booth, often enclosed, where goods or services are sold or information is provided. It is typically self-service and located in public spaces, airports, or shopping centers. The word emphasizes a compact, accessible point for transactions or guidance, distinct from a larger shop or stand.
"We bought our tickets at the kiosk near the metro entrance."
"The museum has a touchscreen kiosk that offers audio guides."
"Customers lined up at the kiosk to pick up their pre-ordered meals."
Kiosk is pronounced with a stressed first syllable: /ˈkiːɒsk/ in UK/AU and /ˈkiˌɒsk/ in US. It sounds like “KEE-ossk,” where the vowel in the first syllable is a long /iː/ or /i/, followed by a short rounded /ɒ/ and final /sk/. Position the tongue high and forward for /iː/, then drop to a low back rounded /ɒ/ before the /sk/ cluster. An audio reference you can compare with is common pronunciation resources or native speaker clips.
Common errors include treating it as two syllables with a clear /o/ as in ‘kiosk-’ featuring an American /ˈkaɪɒsk/ variant or misplacing the /iː/ sound. To correct: use a smooth /ˈkiːɒsk/ sequence, avoid a hard /ɪ/ or /ʌ/ in the first vowel, ensure the final /sk/ is crisp, not a /sk/ merged into a /s/ sound. Practice by saying ‘kee-ossk’ quickly several times to lock the two-syllable pattern.
In US English, the primary stress is on the first syllable with a clear /ˈkiˌɒsk/ and a relatively shorter second syllable; in UK and AU accents, you’ll hear /ˈkiːɒsk/ with a longer /iː/ in the first syllable and less vowel reduction. The /ɒ/ remains open, and the final /sk/ cluster stays audible. Rhoticity doesn’t change the word’s vowel identity here, but vowel length and quality differ slightly with regional rhythm.
The difficulty centers on the /iː/ vowel followed by a short /ɒ/ before the /sk/ cluster, which can cause vowel length confusion and a rushed /ɒ/ in fast speech. The combination /iːɒ/ isn’t common in all dialects, so learners default to /kaɪɒsk/ or misplace the /ɒ/. Articulatory focus on a high-front to mid-back transition and crisp /sk/ release helps stabilize the pronunciation.
Kiosk contains a rare transition from a high front vowel to a low back vowel in rapid speech: /ˈkiːɒsk/. The glide from /iː/ to /ɒ/ is quick and should be almost seamless to avoid an elongated second syllable. Practice with alternating tense vs lax vowels and ensure the /sk/ lands as a clear, single release rather than an extended /s/.
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The term kiosk traces to the Turkish word köşk, meaning a pavil ion or summerhouse, adopted into Persian before entering European languages in the 18th century. In French, kiosque, and eventually English kiosk, the sense expanded from a pavilion to a small external booth used for selling or distributing goods. Early European urban settings used kiosks as sheltered listening posts or information stands, then commercial booths in markets. In the 19th century, the concept broadened to self-service or semi-automatic stations, such as coin-operated ticket machines or telephone kiosks. The modern sense solidified in the 20th century with heated debates about urban design and public space; today, kiosks are ubiquitous in airports, malls, and public squares, ranging from vending booths to digital information terminals. First known uses appeared in architectural descriptions and travel literature describing small, freestanding pavilions near gardens or promenades. Over time, the word has retained its core sense of a compact, purpose-built outpost, though technology has transformed many kiosks into digital interfaces rather than purely physical stalls.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Kiosk" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Kiosk" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Kiosk"
-isk sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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