3 syllables: Lang, uor, ous. Stress on Lang.
LANG-gur-uhs
/ˈlæŋɡɚəs/
Languorous is pronounced LANG-gur-uhs (/ˈlæŋɡɚəs/). It has three syllables (Lang-uor-ous), with the stress on "Lang". Languorous is an adjective describing a dreamy, lazy, or indolent mood or atmosphere, often with a sense of lingering, gentle fatigue. It conveys slow, soft movement or speech and a relaxed, languid quality in both demeanor and environment. The word carries a poetic or slightly old-fashioned tone and is typically used to describe mood, weather, or pacing rather than physical vigor.
adjectiveLanguorous is an adjective describing a dreamy, lazy, or indolent mood or atmosphere, often with a sense of lingering, gentle fatigue. It conveys slow, soft movement or speech and a relaxed, languid quality in both demeanor and environment. The word carries a poetic or slightly old-fashioned tone and is typically used to describe mood, weather, or pacing rather than physical vigor.
How to Pronounce Languorous
"The afternoon sun cast a languorous glow over the courtyard."
"Her languorous voice drifted through the room, inviting quiet contemplation."
"They spoke in languorous phrases, letting each sentence linger before the next."
Languorous is pronounced LAN-gə-rəs in general American, with the primary stress on the first syllable. IPA: US: ˈlæŋɡjərəs or ˈlæŋɡjərəs; UK: ˈlæŋɡjʊərəs. The second syllable features a light 'j' sound blending into a schwa, and the final 'ous' sounds like 'əs' rather than 'ous' as in 'glamorous.' Audio references: consult Cambridge or Oxford pronunciations or Forvo entries for native speakers.
Two frequent errors: 1) Dropping the linking 'j' sound and saying LAN-gə-rəs as if it were LAN-gə-rous; keep the palatal glide /ŋɡj/ between syllables. 2) Misplacing stress, saying lan-GU-roos or LAN-gyour-us; maintain primary stress on the first syllable. Practice by isolating the /ŋɡj/ cluster and practicing with minimal pairs like 'language' vs 'languor' to feel the glide.
In US: clear /læŋɡjərəs/ with rhotic /r/; third syllable rhymes with 'ger' in 'ger-' words. In UK: /ˈlæŋɡjʊərəs/ with non-rhoticity often affecting the post-vocalic r; the second vowel may be closer to /ʊə/ sequence. In AU: similar to UK but with more vowel reduction in connected speech; expect a slightly flatter intonation. Overall, the key is the /ŋɡj/ cluster and the final schwa, with subtle vowel shifts by accent.
The challenge lies in the /ŋɡj/ consonant cluster between the first and second syllables and the final /əs/ realization. Your tongue must transition from velar nasal to palatal approximant /j/ quickly, then into a schwa plus /s/. Many speakers flatten the glide or replace /j/ with a simple /ɡ/ or /dʒ/ sound. Slow practice of the sequence LAN-ɡjə-rəs helps, followed by connected speech to maintain fluency.
No. All letters contribute to pronunciation, but the pronunciation of -ous is not the same as in words ending with -ous where the /s/ is pronounced; here, -ous ends with a voiceless /əs/ (schwa + s). Mind the subtle /ə/ in the second syllable, not a silent letter. IPA guidance helps ensure you hear the unstressed schwa in the second syllable.
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Languorous comes from the Latin languor, meaning a state of weariness, softness, or numbness. The root languor traces to Latin languēre, meaning to be faint, slack, or to languish, which also yielded languor in English. The form languorous emerged in English in the 17th–18th centuries as an adjective to describe things characterized by languor—a mood or atmosphere marked by relaxed, heavy, or dreamy fatigue. Its usage has lingered in literary and poetic contexts, where it evokes a sighing, unhurried sensibility. The word’s suffix -ous signals a full, possessing quality: full of languor. Over time, it has retained a refined, somewhat archaic or romantic nuance, frequently appearing in descriptions of languid settings, climates, or emotional states.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Languorous" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Languorous" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Languorous"
-ous sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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