One syllable: Ku Klux Klan.
KOO-kluhks-klan
/ˈkuː klʌks klæn/
Ku Klux Klan is pronounced KOO-kluhks-klan (/ˈkuː klʌks klæn/). It has one syllable (Ku Klux Klan), with the stress on "Ku Klux Klan". Ku Klux Klan is a historically notorious white supremacist organization in the United States. The term refers to this secretive group, established in the late 19th century, known for terror and violence against Black people and civil rights activists. Usage should be approached with caution due to its extremist associations and potential to cause offense.
nounKu Klux Klan is a historically notorious white supremacist organization in the United States. The term refers to this secretive group, established in the late 19th century, known for terror and violence against Black people and civil rights activists. Usage should be approached with caution due to its extremist associations and potential to cause offense.
How to Pronounce Ku Klux Klan
"The FBI exposed plots linked to the Ku Klux Klan in several towns."
"Education about the Ku Klux Klan’s history helps students understand racial violence in America."
"Public discourse often condemns the Ku Klux Klan and its ideology."
Pronounce it as /ˌkuː ˈklʌks ˈklæn/ (US) or /ˌkjuː ˈklʌks ˈklæn/ in syllable-timed UK speech; Australian typically aligns with US. Break it into three words: Ku (like 'cue'), Klux (rhymes with 'clucks' but with a short 'u' as in 'cup'), Klan (rhymes with 'clan'). Stress falls on the second and third words: KU KLUX KLAN. Mouth positions: start with a rounded 'ku', then a quick alveolar 'kl' cluster, then the open back ‘u’ in 'klux' and final 'æ' in 'klan'.”,
Common errors: 1) Slurring or softening the 'Ku' and not keeping it as a distinct syllable. 2) Mispronouncing 'Klux' as 'clucks' with a long 'u' or an unnecessary 'oo' sound. 3) Dropping the final 'n' of 'Klan' or making it a nasalized vowel. Correction tips: enunciate each word clearly, keep 'Klux' as /klʌks/ and finish with a hard /n/ for 'klan'. Practice the three-word rhythm slowly, then accelerate while maintaining clear consonants.
In US English, keep stress on KLUX and KLAN with clear /klʌks/ and /klæn/. UK English tends to keep the three-word rhythm but may soften the initial 'Ku' slightly and maintain /klʌks/ and /klæn/. Australian English mirrors US pronunciation closely, with a non-rhotic tendency in some speakers, but the phrase is still three distinct words with / Kuː/ or /kj uː/ initial depending on speaker. Overall, rhoticity and vowel quality shift slightly, but consonant clusters stay intact.
The challenge lies in the three distinct words, abrupt stops between the 'Ku', 'Klux', and 'Klan', and the consonant cluster /kl/ in rapid speech. English learners often lump the words or misplace stress on the wrong syllable. The mid vowels in /klʌks/ and /klæn/ can also vary, leading to mispronunciations like /kluks/ or /klən/. Focusing on crisp consonants, clear stops, and correct vowel quality helps ensure accurate pronunciation.
There are no silent letters in standard pronunciations of Ku Klux Klan. Each letter is sounded as part of a three-syllable sequence: Ku (ˈkuː or ˈkjuː), Klux (klʌks), Klan (klæn). Some casual speakers may reduce vowels slightly in rapid speech, but in careful speech you should articulate each syllable clearly to preserve the distinct words and avoid blending.
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The term Ku Klux Klan originated in the Southern United States after the Civil War. It is widely believed to be derived from the Greek word kyklos, meaning circle, or from the Scots word ku klan, a misspelling of 'Ku' and 'Klux'. The earliest recorded use appears around 1865–66 in the Reconstruction era, where it described a fraternal torch-lit group that acted as a violent vigilante organization. The name evolved into a coded identity for the clandestine society that aimed to restore white supremacy during Reconstruction and beyond. Over the 20th century, the Klan underwent several revivals, adapting its symbols and rituals to recruit, intimidate, and propagate racist ideologies. Its infamous public demonstrations and cross burnings became potent symbols of domestic terrorism, influencing policy debates on civil rights, hate speech laws, and extremist threat assessment in the United States. The phrase has since become a loaded reference to white supremacist extremism globally, often used indictively in discussions of racism and violence.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Ku Klux Klan" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "Ku Klux Klan"
-ank sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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