2 syllables: lu, pus. Stress on lu.
LOO-puhs
/ˈlupəs/
lupus is pronounced LOO-puhs (/ˈlupəs/). It has two syllables (lu-pus), with the stress on "lu". Lupus is a medical term used primarily to denote a chronic autoimmune disease that can affect skin, joints, kidneys, and other organs. It also occurs as a Latin-derived term meaning “wolf,” historically connected to the term lupus erythematosus in medicine. In clinical contexts, it refers to a specific syndrome with systemic manifestations and varied presentation across patients.
Lupus is a medical term used primarily to denote a chronic autoimmune disease that can affect skin, joints, kidneys, and other organs. It also occurs as a Latin-derived term meaning “wolf,” historically connected to the term lupus erythematosus in medicine. In clinical contexts, it refers to a specific syndrome with systemic manifestations and varied presentation across patients.
"The rheumatologist discussed the management plan for lupus nephritis."
"A patient with lupus may experience photosensitivity and joint pain."
"Researchers are studying the genetic and environmental triggers of lupus."
US/UK/AU pronunciation is /ˈluːpəs/. The first syllable carries primary stress: LU- as in “loo,” then a schwa-like second syllable “pəs.” Mouth position: lips neutral to rounded for /uː/, then a relaxed /p/ followed by a quick, light /ə/ (or /ɪ/ in some accents) and final /s/. You’ll often hear a slightly shorter second syllable in fast speech. IPA reference: /ˈluːpəs/. Audio example: consult medical pronunciation references or Forvo.
Common errors include misplacing the stress, pronouncing it as LU-pus with equal stress, or elongating the second syllable to /ˈluːpuːs/. Another frequent mistake is pronouncing the second syllable with a full vowel like /ɪ/ instead of a reduced /ə/. Correction: keep primary stress on the first syllable, use /ˈluːpəs/ with a short, unstressed second syllable. Practice with minimal pairs and a short pause before the second syllable to maintain natural rhythm.
In US/UK/AU, the core is /ˈluːpəs/. The difference is subtle: rhoticity doesn’t affect this word much; the vowel in the first syllable remains a long /uː/. Some US speakers may slightly raise the /ə/ to /ɪ/ in rapid speech, while UK and Australian speakers may have a crisper /s/ and a softer /ə/ due to regional vowel reductions. Overall, the primary stress remains on the first syllable across all three variants.
The difficulty lies in the short, unstressed second syllable /pəs/ after a long first syllable /ˈluː/. Many learners unintentionally vowelize the second syllable or shift the stress, making it sound like lu-PUS or LOO-puhs. Also, rapid medical speech can compress the second syllable, making the /ə/ more schwa-like or indistinct. Focusing on the clean transition between /uː/ and /p/ with a quick, light /ə/ helps clarity.
The key quirk is the essential contrast between the long vowel /uː/ in the first syllable and the short, reduced /ə/ in the second, followed by a final /s/. This requires maintaining a tense but relaxed lip position for /uː/ and a swift, voiceless alveolar /s/. Pay attention to keeping the /p/ firmly released before the /ə/ rather than blending into a longer /p/ or an allophonic /pɹ/.
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Lupus originates from Latin, where lupus means “wolf.” The term appeared in medical texts in the 16th century, with early descriptions of skin lesions resembling a wolf’s bite, contributing to the name lupus. In later centuries, the term broadened to describe systemic autoimmune conditions, notably systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The phrase lupus erythematosus emerged to distinguish the inflammatory skin manifestations (lupus erythematosus) from other forms. The root “lupus” is linked to medieval symbolism and the belief that facial rashes resembled wolf bites; this metaphor persisted in European medical literature as dermatologic features and later systemic involvement were better understood. The modern medical usage centers on a complex, autoimmune process with heterogeneous clinical pictures, managed across rheumatology, nephrology, and dermatology.
💡 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 "lupus" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "lupus" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "lupus"
-ose sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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