2 syllables: No, va. Stress on No.
NOH-vuh
/ˈnoʊvə/
Nova is pronounced NOH-vuh (/ˈnoʊvə/). It has two syllables (No-va), with the stress on "No". Nova is a feminine given name or a celestial event meaning a star that suddenly becomes much brighter. In astronomy, it denotes a sudden, dramatic increase in a star’s luminosity. The term is also used metaphorically to describe something new and bright appearing abruptly. Typical usage spans science, storytelling, and branding contexts.
nounNova is a feminine given name or a celestial event meaning a star that suddenly becomes much brighter. In astronomy, it denotes a sudden, dramatic increase in a star’s luminosity. The term is also used metaphorically to describe something new and bright appearing abruptly. Typical usage spans science, storytelling, and branding contexts.
How to Pronounce Nova
"The nova lit up the night sky, briefly outshining surrounding stars."
"She chose the name Nova for her startup to symbolize new brightness and energy."
"Astronomers recorded a nova in the Andromeda galaxy last night."
Pronounce it as NO-va, with the stress on the first syllable. In IPA: US /ˈnoʊ.və/, UK /ˈnəʊ.və/, AU /ˈnɔː.və/. Start with the long O, then a light, schwa-like second syllable. The lips start rounded for /oʊ/ and relax for the /v/ and /ə/ sounds. Visualize: a bright, two-syllable word that lands on the first beat.
Common errors: misplacing the primary stress on the second syllable (NO-va vs. no-VA). Another frequent slip is reducing the /ə/ in the second syllable to a full vowel like /a/; keep it as a light schwa /ə/. Also, some speakers struggle with the /v/ before /ə/, producing /f/ or an overly voiced variant. Correction: emphasize /ˈnoʊ/ or /ˈnəʊ/ first, then release into a soft /v/ followed by a relaxed /ə/.
US: strong diphthong /oʊ/ as in 'go', syllable-timed rhythm. UK: /ˈnəʊ.və/ with a potentially less pronounced /oʊ/ and more clipped second syllable. AU: /ˈnɔː.və/ with a broader, open vowel in the first syllable and non-rhoticity affecting the linking into /və/. In all accents, the /v/ remains voiced; the tail /ə/ is light. Keep rhoticity in mind for US; non-rhotic tendencies may soften the second vowel in UK/AU.
Two main challenges: the first syllable requires controlling a long diphthong /oʊ/ or /əʊ/ while avoiding an abrupt break, and the second syllable’s shallow vowel /ə/ can be swallowed in fast speech. The /v/ immediately following the vowel also demands precise voicing with a soft, relaxed closure rather than a hard labiodental fricative shift. Practice balancing the two syllables so the second remains light.
Yes—emphasis on the first syllable and the smoother transition into a light second syllable can feel unnatural when first learning. The combination of a clear long O in the first syllable and a quick, subdued /ə/ in the second can lead learners to over-articulate /ə/ or flatten the /oʊ/. Focusing on a gentle gliding from /oʊ/ to /və/ helps maintain natural cadence in speech.
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Nova derives from the Latin word nova, meaning 'new'. The astronomical sense emerged in the 16th–17th centuries as a nova (plural novae) to denote a star that suddenly increases in brightness, distinguishing it from supernovae and novae as variable stars. The term likely evolved from medieval Latin nova (new) through scientific Latin usage, adopted into European astronomy to describe new star-like events observed in the 16th century with early telescopic astronomy. In modern usage, nova is used both in astronomy and popular culture to signify sudden brilliance or newness, such as brand names or entertainment media. Its cross-language adoption retains the core meaning of sudden emergence and brightness, while the plural form novae adheres to Latin declension patterns in scientific contexts. First known use in English appears in early modern astronomical texts describing observed brightening novae in the Milky Way, with the sense expanding to metaphorical uses in the 20th and 21st centuries.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Nova" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Nova" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Nova"
-ova sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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