3 syllables: mu, ta, tions. Stress on ta.
/mjuˈteɪʃənz/
Say it backMutations are changes in the genetic material of organisms, especially DNA, that can alter traits or functions. In science, the term refers to heritable alterations that may be caused by errors in replication, environmental factors, or recombination, potentially influencing evolution, disease, or adaptation. The plural form indicates multiple such changes across genomes or populations.
"The study focused on mutations in the SRY gene and their effects on sex development."
"Valuable data came from observing how random mutations accumulate in bacterial populations."
"Researchers investigated mutations that confer drug resistance in viruses."
Mutations is pronounced /ˌmjuːˈteɪ.ʃənz/ in US and UK. The stress falls on the second syllable: mu-TA-tions, with a light, initial /ˈmjuː/ or /ˈmjə/ onset, a long /eɪ/ in the second syllable, and a final unstressed /ənz/ (вivalent to -tionz). In careful speech, ensure the /t/ is clear between /eɪ/ and /ʃən/. Listen for a subtle
Common errors include slurring the /juː/ into a quick /ju/ or /jə/, producing /ˈmjuːˈteɪ.ʃən/ without the secondary stress, and omitting the final /z/ in casual speech (mutation). Another mistake is misplacing the /t/ or turning /teɪ/ into /tiː/ or /tə/. To fix, practice the sequence /mjuː/ + /ˈteɪ.ʃən/ + /z/ with clear, clipped /t/ and a final voiced /z/.
In US, UK, and AU, the initial /mjuː/ is similar, but rhotics influence the post-stem: US often maintains rhoticity, with a clearer /ɹ/ in connected speech; UK is non-rhotic, so linking sounds may sound less pronounced, and AU tends to a slightly tighter vowel quality in /juː/ and a more drawn-out /ˈteɪ.ʃən/. Across accents, the main variation is vowel quality in /juː/ versus /jʊ/ and the treatment of /r/ in fluent speech. IPA remains /ˌmjuːˈteɪ.ʃənz/ with location-specific allophones.
Two big challenges are the diphthong /juː/ and the unstressed, neutralized ending /ənz/. The sequence /mjuː/ can be tricky: keep the lip rounding tight for /j/ plus the long /uː/. The stressed syllable /ˈteɪ.ʃən/ requires a clean /t/ before a soft /ʃ/ and then an unstressed /ənz/. In rapid speech, the final /z/ can become a devoice or blend with preceding consonants; practice the full sequence slowly to maintain voicing and place.
The cluster /mjuː/ at the start is relatively less common in English and can cause a click of articulation as you transition into /ˈteɪ.ʃənz/. The word’s stress pattern (secondary stresses in connected speech) plus the final voiced sibilant /z/ require precise voicing onset. Practicing with minimal pairs helps solidify the 'mju' onset and the /t/ before /ʃ/. Focus on keeping the /t/ crisp and the /z/ fully voiced rather than devoiced in fast speech.
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The word mutation comes from Middle French mutation, from Latin mutatio, mutare ‘to change.’ Its roots trace to mut- (to change) with the abstract noun forming suffix -tion. In English, mutation first appeared in the 15th century in a biological sense, evolving from general change to specific genetic shifts by the 20th century with the rise of genetics as a discipline. The term later broadened to describe changes in any system, including cultures or signals, but science usage emphasizes heritable, molecular-level alterations. The concept gained prominence as DNA understanding grew after the discovery of the structure of DNA in 1953, and the modern usage often implies variation that contributes to evolutionary processes or pathology depending on context.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "mutations" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "mutations"
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