One syllable: Myths.
miths
/mɪθs/
Myths is pronounced miths (/mɪθs/). It has one syllable (Myths), with the stress on "Myths". As a noun, a plural noun referring to traditional stories or legends that explain natural phenomena, human behavior, or cultural practices. The term often implies stories regarded as traditions rather than factual history. In everyday use, it can also denote widely circulated but unverified beliefs or ideas.
nounA plural noun referring to traditional stories or legends that explain natural phenomena, human behavior, or cultural practices. The term often implies stories regarded as traditions rather than factual history. In everyday use, it can also denote widely circulated but unverified beliefs or ideas.
How to Pronounce Myths
"Ancient civilizations told myths to explain the changing seasons."
"Some people say the town has its own myth about a hidden treasure."
"Scholars compare myths from different cultures to find shared themes."
Pronounce it as /mɪθs/. Start with a short, relaxed /ɪ/ as in “kit,” then place the tongue against the upper teeth for /θ/ (like in “think”) and release into a crisp final /s/; keep the /θ/ voiceless. The stress is on the word’s single syllable. Imagine saying ‘mithe-s’ quickly; the key is the θ followed by a clean s sound. Audio guidance helps you feel the dental position.
Two common errors: replacing /θ/ with /s/ or /f/, producing ‘mis’ or ‘miffs’ instead of /mɪθs/. Another error is voicing the final /s/ as /z/, making /mɪθz/. To correct, place the tongue gently between upper and lower front teeth and push air for the unvoiced /θ/. Then release a crisp /s/—no vocal fold vibration. Practice saying ‘think’ without the vowel change, then add the s.
In US, UK, and AU, the word remains /mɪθs/. The main difference lies in the surrounding vowel quality and tendencies toward rhoticity in some speakers. US speakers may have slightly looser /ɪ/; UK speakers maintain a shorter, tighter /ɪ/; Australian tends toward mid-central vowel coloration. The /θ/ is consistently voiceless and dental; the final /s/ stays unvoiced. Overall, there’s minimal cross-accent variation in the core consonants.
The challenge is the /θ/ sound, which sits between a /t/ and /f/ in tongue position. It requires the tip of the tongue against the upper teeth with a light breath. Many speakers default to /t/ or /s/, causing blends like /mɪts/ or /mɪf/. Practicing with minimal pairs like think/sink and teeth/teats helps recalibrate the tongue placement and airflow, making the dental fricative clearer.
Think of the word as two small actions: ‘m’ with a quick mouth opening into the dental fricative /θ/. This helps you separate the sonorant /m/ from the voiceless dental fricative /θ/ without blending. A practical cue: place your tongue lightly on your teeth and blow a brief breath as you voice /θ/. End with a short, clean /s/ to avoid a voiced z.
🗣️ Voice search tip: These questions are optimized for voice search. Try asking your voice assistant any of these questions about "Myths"!
The word myth derives from the Greek mythos, meaning ‘story, legend, speech, or tale,’ which originally referred to a speech or word, often in a storyteller’s recitation. In Classical Greek, mythos denoted a story of the gods or a narrative explaining natural or social phenomena, as in Hesiod’s Theogony. The Latin equivalent mythus and the later Old French mythe entered English in the medieval period, expanding to denote traditional narratives that explain beliefs about the world. By Early Modern English, myth shifted toward archetypal stories about gods, heroes, and cultural origins. The shift from “divine story” to “unverifiable tale” occurred as scientific and historical discourse emerged, but the word retained a sense of collective cultural storytelling. In contemporary use, myths often indicate widely held but unverified beliefs or stereotypes, including modern “myths” about science, health, or history. First known use in English appears in the 14th century, with related forms appearing in scholarly and ecclesiastical texts, indicating a long-standing tension between sacred narratives and empirical truth.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "Myths" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "Myths" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Myths" and show contrast in usage.
📚 Vocabulary tip: Learning synonyms and antonyms helps you understand nuanced differences in meaning and improves your word choice in speaking and writing.
Words that rhyme with "Myths"
-ths sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
🎵 Rhyme tip: Practicing with rhyming words helps you master similar sound patterns and improves your overall pronunciation accuracy.
