4 syllables: la, bor, i, ous. Stress on bor.
/ləˈbɔɹiəs/
Say it backLaborious describes something that requires considerable effort, time, or persistence to accomplish. It conveys a sense of tedious, painstaking work and a demanding, arduous process that tests endurance and patience. The term often implies repetitive or strenuous activity rather than quick, easy results.
"The scientist undertook a laborious series of experiments to verify the data."
"Preparing the manuscripts by hand proved to be a laborious task."
"The project required a laborious round of negotiations before an agreement could be reached."
Pronounce as /ˌleɪˈbɔːr.i.əs/ in US and /ˌleɪˈbər.i.əs/ in UK and Australia. The word has three syllables with primary stress on the second syllable and secondary stress on the first: lay-BORE-ee-us. Start with the long 'a' in lay, then a rhotacized or non-rhotacized 'bor' depending on accent, and end with a light 'ee-us' sound. Listen for a smooth transition between syllables. IPA guides: US /ˌleɪˈbɔːr.i.əs/, UK /ˌleɪˈbər.i.əs/; AU closely mirrors UK rhotics but with AU vowel timing.
Common mistakes include stressing the first syllable ( /ˈleɪ.bɔːr.i.əs/ ) instead of the second, reducing the final -ous to a quick 'us' (/ˌleɪˈbɔːr.i.əs/ vs /ˌleɪˈbɔːr.i.əs/ ), and mispronouncing the middle vowel as a short 'uh' ( /ˌleɪˈbæriəs/ ). Correct by placing primary stress on the second syllable, lengthening the 'bor' vowel to a back, open-mid sound (/ɔː/ or /ɔːr/), and ensuring the final 'ous' is lightly pronounced as /-i.əs/. Practice with IPA cues and slow repetition.
In US English, the middle vowel often becomes /ɔːr/ with rhotic r, giving /ˌleɪˈbɔːr.i.əs/. In UK English, the middle vowel tends to be /ə/ or /əː/ with non-rhotic r, yielding /ˌleɪˈbər.i.əs/. Australian tends toward /ˌleɪˈbeər.i.əs/ or /ˌleɪˈbɔː.ri.əs/ with varied rhoticity and vowel length. Focus on the /ɔː/ vs /ə/ distinction and the rhotic presence depending on locale. IPA references help pinpoint subtle shifts.
Because it combines a tense back vowel cluster in the second syllable and a light, unstressed final syllable, which challenges learners to maintain accurate vowel quality (/ɔː/ vs /ə/) while keeping the global three-syllable rhythm intact. The middle consonant sequence /bɔːr/ or /bər/ also tests the transition from a closed syllable to an open, soft ending. Mastery requires precise tongue position, lip rounding, and syllabic timing.
Does the word ever reduce its second syllable in rapid speech, and how should you adjust?
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US: emphasize rhotics, maintain /ɔːr/ vowel quality with hard R; UK: non-rhotic, middle vowel closer to /ə/ or /ɜː/ with gentler R influence; AU: mix of rhoticity, often /ɔːr/ or /ə/ depending on speaker. Vowel length matters: US often longer pre-rhotic vowel; UK/AU blend shorter in casual speech. IPA: US /ˌleɪˈbɔːr.i.əs/, UK /ˌleɪˈbər.i.əs/, AU /ˌleɪˈbeə.ri.əs/ (depending on speaker). Practice with minimal pairs to hear the r-coloring and vowel shifts.
Laborious comes from Latin laboriosus, formed from labor (work, exertion) with the suffix -osus meaning ‘full of’ or ‘having the quality of.’ The root labor originates from Latin labor, meaning ‘work, effort, toil.’ The suffix -ious yields the adjective sense ‘full of labor, labor-intensive.’ The word entered English in the early modern period, influenced by scholarly Latin usage. Early senses emphasized physical toil, and over time it broadened to describe tasks or processes that require substantial mental or physical effort. The term has retained a formal, somewhat elevated tone, often used in academic or literary contexts to describe demanding endeavors or meticulous, painstaking work.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "laborious" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "laborious" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "laborious" and show contrast in usage.
📚 Vocabulary tip: Learning synonyms and antonyms helps you understand nuanced differences in meaning and improves your word choice in speaking and writing.
Words that rhyme with "laborious"
-ct) sounds
-ous 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.
