4 syllables: Mi, ra, cu, lous. Stress on ra.
mur-AK-yuh-luhs
/mɚˈækjələs/
Miraculous is pronounced mur-AK-yuh-luhs (/mɚˈækjələs/). It has four syllables (Mi-ra-cu-lous), with the stress on "ra". Miraculous refers to something that is highly remarkable or extraordinary, as if produced by or occurring through a miracle. It conveys surprise and admiration at an event or result that seems beyond ordinary explanation, often implying providence or fate at work.
adjectiveMiraculous refers to something that is highly remarkable or extraordinary, as if produced by or occurring through a miracle. It conveys surprise and admiration at an event or result that seems beyond ordinary explanation, often implying providence or fate at work.
How to Pronounce Miraculous
"The rescue was miraculous, and everyone involved felt blessed."
"She made a miraculous recovery after the illness."
"The discovery was miraculous, changing the course of science for good."
Pronounce as /ˌmɪr.əˈkjuː.ləs/ (US/UK). The first syllable is unstressed: mi- /ˈmɪr.ə/; stress falls on the third syllable: -CU- /ˈkjuː/; final -lous is /ləs/. Tip: start with ‘MIR-uh-KYOU-luss,’ keeping the vowel in the second syllable lax and the “ju” as a clear /juː/ glide. See audio reference for cadence and connected speech.
Common errors include over-stressing the second syllable and mispronouncing the /juː/ as /ju/ or /ʒu/. Also, the final /-ləs/ is often reduced to /lə/ or mis-articulated as /ləs/ with a too-short schwa. Correct by isolating the /juː/ as a tight, rounded vowel before the /ləs/; ensure the final /s/ is crisp. Practice with slow repetition emphasizing the third syllable.
US tends to have a clearer /juː/ and less vowel reduction in the first syllable; UK often preserves a slightly longer /ɪ/ in the first syllable and a drawn-out /juː/; Australian accents may show more vowel diphthongization and a lighter /r/ in rhotic positions. Across all, the primary stress remains on -CU-; the ending /ləs/ remains a brief, unstressed cluster. IPA cues: US /ˌmɪr.əˈkjuː.ləs/; UK /ˌmɪr.əˈkjuː.ləs/; AU /ˌmɪɹ.əˈkjuː.ləs/ with slight rhotic variation in non-rhotic speakers.
Two main challenges: the three-syllable rhythm with stress on the third syllable and the /juː/ cluster after an unstressed syllable, which can spill into a /j/ or /ju/ glide mispronunciation. Additionally, the final '-lous' can be reduced or swallowed in casual speech, obscuring the /ləs/ ending. Focus on sustaining the /juː/ glide and finishing with a clear, light /ləs/ sound.
Yes—pay attention to the compound-like rhythm where the root ‘mirac’ ends with a strong /k/ before the /juː/ glide. The syllable boundary between /k/ and /juː/ is distinct and should not be merged, which helps listeners perceive the word clearly as mi-RA-cu-lous with accurate stress on the third syllable.
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Miraculous comes from the Latin miraculus meaning ‘miraculous, wonderful,’ itself from mirari, ‘to wonder, marvel.’ The form passed into Old French as miraculus and then Middle English, adopting the sense of ‘produced by a miracle’ or ‘marvelous.’ Early religious usage framed miraculous events as acts of divine intervention; by the 17th century, stylistic uses broadened to describe anything extraordinary or seemingly inexplicable in secular contexts. The word carries semantic weight of awe and providence, often implying legitimacy through supernatural or extraordinary cause; in contemporary usage it can be applied humorously or metaphorically to describe improbable, almost unbelievable, outcomes.
💡 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 "Miraculous" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Miraculous" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Miraculous"
-ous sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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