Molecule is a small, chemically bound group of atoms that acts as the basic unit of a chemical compound. In science contexts, it usually refers to a discrete, neutral unit whose properties derive from its constituent atoms and their bonds. The term is used across chemistry, biology, and physics to describe the smallest unit of a substance that can participate in chemical reactions.
-Overemphasizing the second syllable: You might say MOL-uh-KOOL; instead, keep primary stress on MOL and make -cule a lighter, fast second half: /ˈmɒlɪˌkjuːl/. -Forgetting the /kjuː/ blend: Avoid stopping after /k/; let the /j/ glide into the /uː/ to form /kjuːl/. Practice a quick /kj/ transition. -Not reducing the second syllable: Don’t overclear the /i/; keep a weak schwa-like reduction in the first vowel of the second syllable to approximate native rhythm. -Incorrect vowel quality in first syllable: US /ɒ/ vs /ɑː/ influences how open your jaw is; aim for a rounded, mid-open vowel in US/UK equivalents, not a closed /oʊ/ sound. -Confusing endings: Endings like -le can be /l/ with a light release; ensure the final /l/ isn’t swallowed by preceding /uː/; the mouth should relax into the /l/.
-US: Stress first syllable; keep /ɑː/ or /ɒ/ quality depending on speaker; ensure rhoticity is present in rapid speech, but not overemphasized. The final /l/ should be clear but not heavy; the /kjuːl/ ends with a gentle /l/ release. -UK: Similar stress; possibly shorter first vowel, more clipped, with a clearer /kjuːl/ sequence; preserve non-rhoticity in careful speech but allow a subtle /r/ absence in post-vocalic environment. -AUS: Broader vowels; first vowel may be /əʊ/ or /ɒ/ depending on region; maintain the /kjuːl/ glide; keep final /l/ light and fluid. IPA references: US /ˈmɑːlɪˌkjuːl/, UK /ˈmɒlɪkjuːl/, AU /ˈməʊlɪkjuːl/. -Common pitfalls: overpronouncing /juː/ as separate /j/; underpronouncing the /l/ in the middle. Align lip rounding for /ɒ/ /ɑː/ and keep jaw relaxed for a natural approximation across accents.
"The water molecule consists of two hydrogen atoms bonded to one oxygen atom."
"Researchers isolated a single molecule to study its vibration modes."
"In biology, a molecule can refer to macromolecules like proteins or nucleic acids."
"The gas phase study examined the rotational energy levels of the molecule."
Molecule comes from the French molécule, from Old French molecul and Latin molecula, diminutives of mille ‘thousand’? and perhaps a variation of mola ‘a millstone’? The modern term dates to the 19th century, as chemistry evolved from considering substances as indivisible to recognizing discrete units. The root mole- traces to French and Latin, but the precise formation reflects the historical shift toward small, indivisible units of matter. Early chemists used words like ‘molecule’ to denote a tiny discrete unit composed of two or more atoms bonded in a specific arrangement. The term gained widespread scientific usage with the advancement of molecular theory and structural chemistry, particularly in the 1830s–1870s, as spectroscopic and structural data supported the concept of defined molecular entities rather than bulk properties. Over time, ‘molecule’ broadened to describe any smallest unit of a chemical substance that retains its properties, from simple diatomic species to large biomolecules, becoming a foundational concept in chemistry, physics, and biology.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Molecule" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "Molecule"
-dle sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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You say it MOL-i-kule with primary stress on the first syllable: /ˈmɒlɪˌkjuːl/ (UK) or /ˈmɑːlɪˌkjuːl/ (US); AU speakers often say /ˈməʊlɪkjuːl/. The second syllable contains a reduced, quick -i- and a light -cule ending; the final -cule sounds like /kjuːl/ as in ‘cruel’ without the r. Visualize tongue at the alveolar ridge for MOL, then the /ɪ/ in the second syllable minimized, and the /kj/ cluster before the /uːl/.
Common errors: (1) Misplacing stress on the second syllable, saying /ˈmoʊləˌkjul/ or /ˈmɒləkjuːl/ with a heavy second syllable; (2) Pronouncing the /kj/ sequence as a hard /k/ followed by /j/ without the /j/ blending, resulting in /mɒlɪˈkjʊl/ rather than /ˈmɒlɪˌkjuːl/; (3) Overemphasizing the final -cule (/kuːl/ or /kjul/) instead of a lighter /kjuːl/. Practice by linking the /k/ and /j/: /...ˌkjuːl/ rather than separate sounds.
In US: primary stress on first syllable, rhotic accent; /ˈmɑːlɪˌkjuːl/ or /ˈmɒlɪˌkjuːl/. In UK: similar stress pattern, often more clipped vowels: /ˈmɒlɪkjuːl/. In Australian: /ˈməʊlɪkjuːl/ with broader diphthongs and more centralized /ə/ in first syllable. The -cule portion consistently yields /kjuːl/ or /kjuːl/; the main variation is vowel quality in the first syllable and the vowel length before -cule.
Two main challenges: (1) The consonant cluster /lkjuː/ between the stressed first syllable and the final -le; keeping /l/ and /kj/ distinct without a harsh break; (2) The /j/ glide after /k/ in /kjuːl/ blends quickly with the vowel, so it’s easy to create /kj/ as two separate sounds. Focus on a smooth /lkjuː/ transition and keep the /j/ nearly inaudible as a soft /j/ blended into /juː/.
There are no silent letters in molecule. The word is pronounced with all letters represented in sound: /ˈmɒlɪˌkjuːl/ (UK) and /ˈmɑːlɪˌkjuːl/ (US). The tricky part is coordinating the /l/ in the middle with the /kj/ sound that follows, ensuring the first syllable ends crisply and the second starts with a light, fast /kjuːl/.
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- Shadowing: Listen to 6–8 native-like sentences or a video tutorial and repeat in real-time; imitate rhythm, stress, and the /kjuːl/ cluster. Focus on the transition from the first to the second syllable, ensuring the /l/ is soft. -Minimal pairs: practice with mole? and moler? (e.g., mole/ molec- le). For 2-syllable contrast: spa/spiel? Not ideal; instead, pair with “molar” vs “molecule” to feel /l/ vs /lj/ sequence. - Rhythm practice: 2–3 slow repetitions, then 4–6 normal, then 8–10 fast; emphasize the stress pattern: MOL-i-cule. -Stress and intonation: Start at a level pitch then finish with rising intonation on the last syllable in questions; in statements, keep a falling final tone. -Recording and playback: Record yourself and compare to a video or pronunciation guide; analyze where you misplace stress or produce extra vowel sounds. -Contextual practice: Read 2 context sentences aloud, focusing on blending the /kjuː/; then speak about a molecule in biology or chemistry in 1–2 sentences using the word clearly.
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