2 syllables: Ne, vus. Stress on Ne.
NEE-vuhs
/ˈniːvəs/
Nevus is pronounced NEE-vuhs (/ˈniːvəs/). It has two syllables (Ne-vus), with the stress on "Ne". Nevus is a medical term for a mole or pigmented skin lesion, typically benign. In clinical contexts it refers to a small, pigmented spot or growth, often used in dermatology discussions. The word is often encountered in medical literature and exams.
nounNevus is a medical term for a mole or pigmented skin lesion, typically benign. In clinical contexts it refers to a small, pigmented spot or growth, often used in dermatology discussions. The word is often encountered in medical literature and exams.
How to Pronounce Nevus
"The patient had a dark nevus on the forearm that was monitored for changes."
"Biopsy confirmed the nevus was benign but warranted periodic checkups."
"Some people are born with congenital nevi that are present at birth."
Pronounce it as /ˈniː.vəs/ in US English, with the first syllable stressed and a short, unstressed second syllable. The vowel is a long E in the first syllable, and the second syllable uses a schwa-like /ə/ plus an /s/. IPA: US /ˈniː.vəs/, UK /ˈniː.vəs/, AU /ˈniː.vəs/. Mouth positions: start with a wide smile for /iː/, tongue high and relaxed; then a quick, neutral vowel for /ə/ and final /s/ with a soft sibilant. Audio reference: you’ll hear this near any medical pronunciation guide; try saying “NEE-vus.”
Common errors: misplacing the stress (say NEE-vus is correct; some say ni-VEWS or ne-VEWS). Another is elongating the second syllable or turning /ə/ into a full vowel like /eɪ/. Correct by keeping /ˈniː/ stressed and the second syllable as a quick /vəs/ with a short, unstressed vowel. Practice with minimal pairs: /ˈniː.vəs/ vs /ˈniː.veɪs/ to feel the final /s/. Record yourself to ensure the second syllable is light and reduced.
Across accents, the core /ˈniː.vəs/ stays similar. In some UK and Australian speech, you may hear a slightly clipped /ˈniː.vəs/ without rhoticity changes since /r/ isn’t involved. Australians may reduce the second syllable a touch more, giving /ˈniː.vəs/ with a more schwa-like /ə/. US and UK share the same /ˈniː.vəs/, but Americans may have a more pronounced /v/ and a sharper final /s/. IPA remains /ˈniː.vəs/ across varieties, with minor vowel quality differences.
Difficulties include the initial long /iː/ and the two-syllable rhythm, which can cause second-syllable reduction to blur. The /ə/ in the second syllable is subtle and often sounds like /ɪ/ or /eɪ/ without careful relaxation of the jaw and tongue. The final /s/ requires crisp sibilance without adding a vowel after it. Practicing slow, then with speed builds accurate timing and reduces intrusive vowel sounds.
Nevus has no silent letters, but the second syllable is unstressed and reduced; you should feel the stress on the first syllable. The word is not pronounced with a hard consonant before /v/, so avoid inserting an extra syllable or a /ju/ sound. Focus on keeping /ˈniː/ clear and /vəs/ quick and unobtrusive. If you’re unsure, mimic the cadence of other medical terms ending in -us with a short, crisp second syllable.
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Nevus comes from Latin nevus meaning “birthmark” or “mole,” from the Proto-Italic *nēwus, related to the Greek neuter nēos meaning “new.” The term entered English medical vocabulary via late Latin and medieval medical Latin. Historically, “nevus” was used broadly for any birthmark or pigmented skin lesion, later narrowing to melanocytic nevi (moles) in dermatology. The pronunciation and usage solidified in medical texts by the 18th and 19th centuries, with the plural nevi/nevuses appearing as clinicians discussed multiple lesions. The term remains a staple in dermatology, dermatopathology, and clinical exams, often distinguished from melanoma by context, appearance, and histology. In modern usage, nevus is a technical noun used by professionals and educated lay readers alike, retaining its Latin plural forms (nevi/nevuses) in common practice. First known use in English traces to translations of medical Latin works in the 17th–18th centuries, aligning with broader adoption of Latin-based anatomical vocabulary across Europe.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Nevus" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "Nevus"
-nus sounds
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