2 syllables: mor, tals. Stress on mor.
/ˈmɔɹtəlz/
Say it backMortals are human beings as opposed to deities or immortal beings; in literature and speech, the term emphasizes the fragile, finite nature of human life. The word is commonly used to frame themes of mortality, fate, and vulnerability in contrast with gods or immortality. It can carry a somber or formal tone, depending on context.
"In ancient myths, mortals often faced quests that tested their courage and endurance."
"The statue spoke to the mortals about the risks of hubris and the inevitability of death."
"Scholars argue that our sense of mortality shapes ethics and culture."
Pronounce as /ˈmɔːr.təlz/ in GA and /ˈmɔː.təlz/ in UK/AU, with primary stress on the first syllable: MOR-tals. Start with an open back rounded vowel /ɔː/ like 'law' without lip rounding, then a clear /r/ (American rhotic /ɹ/), then a schwa-like or reduced /ə/ in the second syllable before the final /lz/ cluster. Audio references: try Cambridge Dictionary or Forvo for native pronunciation; aim for a smooth transition from /r/ to /t/ to /l/ to /z/.
Common mistakes include pronouncing the second syllable as /əl/ with full schwa followed by a hard /s/ instead of /lz/ (e.g., MOR-tults) and misplacing the /r/ in non-rhotic accents (dropping the rhotic could give MOR-tals without /r/ sound). Another error is lengthening the first vowel into /ɔː/ in American speech, making it sound like ‘more-’ with an extended vowel. Focus on a crisp /t/ before /əlz/ and a quick, light /l/ into the final /z/ for a natural ending.
In US English, /ˈmɔɹ.təlz/ features a rhotic /ɹ/ and a clearer /t/; UK/GA tends toward /ˈmɔː.təlz/ with a less rhotic influence and a lengthened /ɔː/; Australian English resembles UK but with lighter rhotics and a more centralized /ə/ in unstressed syllables. The key differences are rhoticity on the /ɹ/ in US, vowel quality of the first syllable /ɔː/ versus /ɔ/ or /ɒ/ in some British variants, and the final /z/ often voiced after a light /l/. Listen for native-speaker cues in pronunciation tools to capture the subtleties.
Mortals challenges include the transition from /ɔː/ to /r/ in American accents and the rapid sequence /rtəl/ with a brief /t/ followed by an /l/ that blends into /z/. The final cluster /əlz/ can be ambiguous, causing a lag or a faint /s/. The tongue must move quickly from a rounded back vowel to a tight /ɹ/ or /ɹ/ and then to a light /t/ before /əlz/. Focused practice on the /t/ before /l/ and soft /z/ can improve clarity.
Mortals contains a discreet cluster that tests your ability to compress the /t/ and /l/ into a quick /təl/ sequence before the final /z/. A tip: create a tiny pause after /mɔɹ/ if your speech feels rushed, allowing the /t/ to land clearly before the /əl/ and /z/. This helps maintain the integrity of the rhotic vowel and prevents the /t/ from slurring into the /l/ or /z/.
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Mortals comes from Old French mortal, from Latin mortal-is, related to mors, mort- meaning death. The root mor-, mort- denotes death, with -alis forming adjectives meaning “pertaining to.” In English, mortal first appeared in the 14th century to contrast human death with divine or eternal life; the sense widened to refer to humans in general. Over time, mortals took on literary weight to underscore human vulnerability, fate, and the transient state of existence. The word’s usage spans religious, philosophical, and literary contexts, often invoking consequences of hubris, moral choices, and the limits of power. In modern usage, mortals frequently appears in fantasy and speculative fiction to set apart humans from immortals or supernatural beings, while still retaining its concrete sense of ordinary humanity.
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Words that rhyme with "mortals"
-als sounds
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