3 syllables: Lac, tu, lose. Stress on Lac.
LAK-tyoo-lohs
/ˈlæk.tjuː.loʊs/
Lactulose is pronounced LAK-tyoo-lohs (/ˈlæk.tjuː.loʊs/). It has three syllables (Lac-tu-lose), with the stress on "Lac". Lactulose is a synthetic sugar used as a laxative and in treating certain liver conditions. It is not absorbed in the small intestine; instead, it reaches the colon where gut bacteria metabolize it, producing acids that draw water into the bowel. Primarily a medical term, its pronunciation is important for clinicians, pharmacists, and patients discussing dosage and administration.
nounLactulose is a synthetic sugar used as a laxative and in treating certain liver conditions. It is not absorbed in the small intestine; instead, it reaches the colon where gut bacteria metabolize it, producing acids that draw water into the bowel. Primarily a medical term, its pronunciation is important for clinicians, pharmacists, and patients discussing dosage and administration.
"The patient was prescribed lactulose to manage chronic constipation."
"Lactulose syrup is diluted in water before ingestion."
"She referenced lactulose during the consultation about hepatic encephalopathy."
Pronounce it as LAK-tyoo-lohs with three syllables: /ˈlæk.tjuː.ləʊs/ in UK and /ˈlæk.tjuː.loʊs/ in US; Australian often mirrors US. Primary stress on the first syllable, secondary pressure on the second in some fast speech. Tip: say the middle 'tju' as a single cluster: /tjuː/ rather than /tju/ separated; end with a clear /s/.
Common errors: misplacing stress (treating as a two-syllable word), mispronouncing the /tjuː/ cluster as /tɪu/ or /tju/ separately, and softening the final /s/ into /z/ in connected speech. Correction: emphasize the first syllable: /ˈlæk/; keep the /tjuː/ tight as /tjuː/; finish with a crisp /s/ rather than a voiced /z/.
US: /ˈlæk.tjuː.loʊs/ with rhoticity and final /oʊ/ diphthong. UK: /ˈlæk.tjuː.ləʊs/ and sometimes a lighter /ə/ in the second syllable. AU: commonly /ˈlæk.tjuː.ləs/ or /ˈlæk.tʃuː.ləs/, with less distinct /t/ release and a more centralized final vowel in casual speech. Focus on preserving the /tjuː/ cluster and the final /s/.
The challenge lies in the three-syllable cadence and the /tjuː/ consonant cluster that glides into the /l/ of the third syllable, plus the final unvoiced /s/. Some speakers misplace stress or convert /tjuː/ to an easier /tju/ or /tjuːl/ sequence. Practice the precise cluster: /tjuː/ followed by an unstressed /l/ before /əʊ/ or /oʊ/ depending on dialect.
A unique concern is the /tjuː/ combination after the stressed first syllable; many learners insert an extra vowel or mispronounce as /ˈlək.tuː.ləs/. The correct approach emphasizes a short /æ/ in the first syllable, a tight /tjuː/ cluster, and a clear final /s/. Visualize the motion: tongue tips toward alveolar ridge for /t/, then a quick high-front rounded vowel for /juː/, and a crisp /s/.
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Lactulose derives from the combination of lactose-related roots with -ulose, reflecting sugar chemistry. The term likely formed in the early 20th century as synthetic disaccharide sulfite derivatives were studied for medicinal use. The root lactose points to its lactose-like structure, while -ulose mirrors other sugar-related endings such as fructulose and galactulose. First known use appears in pharmaceutical literature during the 1920s–1930s as researchers explored synthetic, non-absorbable sugars for osmotic laxative effects and management of hepatic encephalopathy, aligning with broader developments in carbohydrate chemistry and medical therapeutics.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Lactulose" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "Lactulose"
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