2 syllables: Mol, luscs. Stress on Mol.
MAH-luhsk
/ˈmɑl.əsk/
Molluscs is pronounced MAH-luhsk (/ˈmɑl.əsk/). It has two syllables (Mol-luscs), with the stress on "Mol". Molluscs are a diverse phylum of invertebrate animals that include snails, clams, and octopuses. The term is commonly used in biology and ecology, referring to the soft-bodied organisms often encased in shells. In everyday science writing, “molluscs” denotes multiple species within this phylum, contrasting with other invertebrate groups. The plural form is used in academic and field contexts as well as informal discourse among enthusiasts.
nounMolluscs are a diverse phylum of invertebrate animals that include snails, clams, and octopuses. The term is commonly used in biology and ecology, referring to the soft-bodied organisms often encased in shells. In everyday science writing, “molluscs” denotes multiple species within this phylum, contrasting with other invertebrate groups. The plural form is used in academic and field contexts as well as informal discourse among enthusiasts.
"The molluscs in the tide pool vary from limpets to squid, each with distinct shell or mantle features."
"Researchers studied the feeding habits of molluscs to understand their role in coastal ecosystems."
"Molluscs such as oysters and clams are economically important in fisheries and aquaculture."
Pronounce as /ˈmɒljəskz/ or /ˈmɒljʊsks/ depending on accent. Start with stressed first syllable MOLL-, then a light second syllable with a schwa or short 'u' as in 'luh', followed by a final cluster of /sks/ or /skz/. Place the tongue high for the /l/ and /j/ sequence, and finish with an audible /s/ before a voiced /k/ or /z/ depending on voice context. Practice with a slow-to-normal tempo and listen to native examples to calibrate the final cluster.
Common errors: misplacing stress (weakening MOL-), inserting an extra vowel (mo- lusces), or mispronouncing the final cluster as /s/ only. Correction: keep the /ˈmɒl/ onset strong, produce a quick, light second syllable with /j/ or /ʊ/ before the final /sks/ sequence, and ensure the final /s/ is clearly voiceless before the /k/ or voiced /z/. Intonation should rise slightly after the first syllable in multi-syllable phrases.
US tends toward /ˈmɒljʊsks/ with clearer /sk/ at the end and a stronger /ʊ/ before s; UK typically has /ˈmɒləskz/ with a more centralized second vowel and a lighter /z/; Australian often shows a broader /ɒ/ and a more rounded /ɔ/ in the second syllable, sometimes blending the /s/ into /ks/ quickly. Listen for rhoticity differences and whether the /l/ is light or dark when preceding /j/.
The difficulty lies in the final consonant cluster /sks/ or /skz/ after a short, stressed first syllable, which can blur into a single sibilant or be mis-timed. The /j/ after the first syllable also presents a palatal approximation that’s easy to skip. Focus on the timing: hold the /l/ and glide from /l/ into /j/ cleanly, then release the /s/ and the following /k/ or /z/ with the right voicing.
There are no silent letters in typical pronunciation, but the /l/ is light in some accents and the second syllable often features a reduced vowel (schwa or near-schwa) depending on speaker. Stress is consistently on the first syllable: MOL-luscs. Being aware of whether your accent reduces the second vowel helps you avoid an extra syllable or an overpronounced 'uh'.
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The word molluscs comes from the Latin molluscus, meaning “soft,” itself derived from mollis, meaning “soft.” The term is used in scientific contexts to classify a large and diverse phylum, Mollusca, that includes classes such as Gastropoda (snails and slugs), Bivalvia (clams, mussels, oysters), and Cephalopoda (octopuses, squids, cuttlefishes). The earliest English usage appears in the 18th century as naturalists sought a unified term for soft-bodied invertebrates with muscular feet and often protective shells. The plural form molluscs is standard in British and Commonwealth English; in American usage, mollusks is more common. Over time, the term expanded to cover both shelled and some soft-bodied species, emphasizing shared anatomical traits such as a mantle, radula (in many species), and a complex nervous system relative to other invertebrates. Today, Mollusca is a well-established phylum in zoological taxonomy, with research spanning physiology, evolution, paleontology, and ecological roles in freshwater and marine environments.
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Words that rhyme with "Molluscs"
-cus sounds
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