2 syllables: Mar, quis. Stress on quis.
mahr-KEE
/ˌmɑˈɹki/
Marquis is pronounced mahr-KEE (/ˌmɑˈɹki/). It has two syllables (Mar-quis), with the stress on "quis". Marquis is a noun meaning a noble title historically ranking between a duke and a count, used in some European countries. It can also refer to a person who holds or is styled with this title. In pronunciation, the word is stressed on the first syllable and features a French-origin sequence that can trick English speakers.
nounMarquis is a noun meaning a noble title historically ranking between a duke and a count, used in some European countries. It can also refer to a person who holds or is styled with this title. In pronunciation, the word is stressed on the first syllable and features a French-origin sequence that can trick English speakers.
"The Marquis of Queensbury was influential in shaping modern boxing rules."
"She wore a gown befitting a Marquis at the royal gala."
"The Marquis invited guests to a quiet, formal dinner."
Pronounce as MAR-kwis with primary stress on the first syllable. In IPA for US: /ˈmɑːrkwɪs/; UK: /ˈmɑːkwɪs/; AU: /ˈmɑːkwɪs/. The first vowel is a broad open a like 'father', followed by a strong 'r' in rhotic accents. The second syllable has a short 'i' as in 'kit' and ends with an 's' sound. Mouth positions: start with a low open jaw on 'ma', rounded or slightly retracted lips for 'r', then a tight cluster 'kw' before a short 'i' and 's'.
Common mistakes: (1) Over-suppressing the /r/ in non-rhotic accents; (2) Mispronouncing the 'kw' cluster as separate k-w rather than a single /kw/; (3) Lengthening the first vowel or misplacing stress. Correction: keep /ˈmɑːr/ as a single stressed unit, produce /kw/ as a single coarticulated consonant with lip rounding transitioning into /ɪ/; ensure the final /s/ is crisp. Practice by isolating the /mɑːr/ syllable, then add /kwɪs/.
In US, the /ɑː/ as in 'father' is common, with rhotic /r/. UK often uses a slightly shorter /ɑː/ and a more compact /kw/ followed by /ɪs/, with non-rhotic tendencies. Australia typically mirrors US rhoticity but with a flatter vowel in /ɑː/ and a more clipped /ɪs/. The main regional variation is the treatment of /r/ and vowel length before the /r/—rhotic US vs non-rhotic UK influences the perceived rhythm of the word.
The difficulty lies in the French-derived /kw/ cluster and the /ɪ/ vs /iː/ vowel quality in stressed and unstressed positions, plus the final /s/ often being softly whispered in connected speech. The initial /mɑːr/ demands a steady open jaw and a clear rhotic /r/ in rhotic varieties. Additionally, spelling does not perfectly align with pronunciation, so non-native speakers might default to /ˈmær.kjuːs/ or split the syllables awkwardly.
A unique nuance is the contrast between the French influence in spelling and the English adaptation in pronunciation. Some speakers may reduce the second syllable to /kwɪs/ or /kwɪs/ depending on speed, but most careful speech preserves the /kw/ consonant blend and short /ɪ/ vowel. The stress remains on the first syllable: /ˈmɑːrkwɪs/ or /ˈmɑːkwɪs/.
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US: rhotic, keep the /r/ pronounced and the /ɑː/ lengthened slightly before /r/. UK: more vowel reduction and a softer /r/; ensure /kw/ is tight. AU: rhotic but with a slightly flatter /ɑː/; keep the /kw/ cluster intact. IPA references: US /ˈmɑːrkwɪs/, UK /ˈmɑːkwɪs/, AU /ˈmɑːkwɪs/. Cross-dialect tips: always anchor the first syllable with a clear, open jaw, then move to the /kw/ blend.
Marquis comes from the Old French marque (mark, boundary) and has been used in aristocratic titles since the medieval period. The term entered English via Norman conquest and Latinized forms such as marchio. In medieval Europe, a marquis governed marches—borderlands—granting him military and administrative authority. The title’s rank sits between duke and count in many European systems, and in English usage, it’s often anglicized as marquis or marquess depending on tradition. The spelling Marquis reflects French influence, where the final -is aligns with masculine titles like comte, vicomte, and marquis. First recorded use in English dates back to the 14th–15th centuries, accompanying the spread of feudal titles through literature, diplomacy, and court protocol. In modern times, Marquis remains a hereditary or ceremonial title in several countries, while in day-to-day English usage, it can refer to the titleholder or be used descriptively for aristocratic contexts. The pronunciation has adapted to English phonology while retaining the French-derived vowel and consonant sequence in many dialects, yielding the familiar but sometimes confounding initial “mar-” syllable followed by a/or kwis sequence.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Marquis" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Marquis" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Marquis"
-rks sounds
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