4 syllables: Nos, tra, da, mus. Stress on da.
naw-struh-DAM-uhs
/ˌnɔstɹəˈdæməs/
Nostradamus is pronounced naw-struh-DAM-uhs (/ˌnɔstɹəˈdæməs/). It has four syllables (Nos-tra-da-mus), with the stress on "da". Nostradamus is a famous 16th‑century French apothecary and seer whose name has become associated with prophetic writings. In everyday use it denotes a person reputed for making predictions, or the author of The Prophecies. The term is often invoked in discussions of prophecy, mystique, or historical biography, and is recognized worldwide. The name itself carries a scholarly, literary resonance.
nounNostradamus is a famous 16th‑century French apothecary and seer whose name has become associated with prophetic writings. In everyday use it denotes a person reputed for making predictions, or the author of The Prophecies. The term is often invoked in discussions of prophecy, mystique, or historical biography, and is recognized worldwide. The name itself carries a scholarly, literary resonance.
"The lecture referenced Nostradamus as a symbol of clairvoyance and predictive writings."
"Many readers debate the accuracy of Nostradamus’s quatrains."
"The documentary explored how Nostradamus’s fame influenced pop culture."
Nostradamus is pronounced noʊˈstra.də.məs in General American; UK pronunciation is nɒˈstræd.ə.məs. Break it into four syllables: nos‑tra‑da‑mus, with primary stress on the second syllable: noʊˈstra.də.məs. Start with a long O in the first syllable, stress the second syllable, then light, schwa‑like reductions in the last syllables. For a quick reference, think: no-STRA-da-mus. Audio examples: consult well‑known dictionaries or Pronounce resources for native speaker models.
Common errors include stressing the first or third syllable rather than the second (no‑STRAdamus), mispronouncing the middle vowel as /æ/ instead of a clearer /ə/ in the third syllable, and flattening the final /məs/ into /məs/ without a light /ə/. To correct: keep primary stress on the second syllable, use a relaxed /ə/ in the third, and finish with a soft, quick /məs/ without overemphasizing the final consonant.
In US English you’ll typically hear noʊˈstra.də.məs with a clear long o and schwa in the third syllable; in UK English the intonation may carry slightly more clipped vowels, with nɒˈstræd.ə.məs where the second syllable has more vowel reduction. In Australian English, you may hear a broader /æ/ in the second syllable and a flatter final /ə/ or /məs/. Across accents, the major feature is the second syllable stress and the final unstressed '-mus'.
It combines a cluster in the second syllable (STR) with a multi‑syllabic name and a mix of vowels that aren’t common in all languages. The /oʊ/ diphthong in the first syllable, /ˈstra/ sequence, and the /ə/ in the third syllable challenge non‑native speakers to maintain correct timing and stress. Additionally, the final /məs/ can be shortened in casual speech, which muddies the rhythm. Practice the four‑syllable rhythm slowly to build accuracy.
A distinctive feature is the immediate onset of the stressed syllable after the first, turning nos‑TRAD‑a‑mus into a four‑beat rhythm. The second syllable bears the primary stress, which is unusual for many English loanwords where stress may fall later. The middle /stra/ cluster demands careful articulation of the /s/ before the /t/; keep the /r/ light, and then glide into the /ə/ and /məs/ cleanly for a natural cadence.
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Nostradamus is the Latinized name of Michel de Nostredame ( Michel de Nostredame in Occitan ), born in 1503 in Saint-Renan, Brittany, then part of the Kingdom of France. The family used Nostredame as their surname in Occitan, meaning “Our Lady,” reflecting Marian devotion; later, in Latinized form, Nostradamus became Nostradamus. He is best known for his 1555 collection Les Prophéties, a compilation of quatrains. The surname Nostredame evolved to Nostradamus over time through Latinization and scholarly transcription, with the -us ending common in Latinized names. The first modern usage of “Nostradamus” as a recognizable proper name appears in 16th‑century French and Latin texts, and subsequently in English literature, biographies, and popular culture. The name’s enduring association with prophetic literature has reinforced its status as a cultural archetype for foresight and mystery, influencing everything from poetry to contemporary media. This blend of Occitan roots, Marian surname symbolism, and Renaissance humanist context underpins the enduring resonance of the name Nostradamus in scholarly and popular discourse.
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Words that rhyme with "Nostradamus"
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