2 syllables: No, vice. Stress on No.
NAH-vuhs
/ˈnɑvəs/
Novice is pronounced NAH-vuhs (/ˈnɑvəs/). It has two syllables (No-vice), with the stress on "No". Novice is a person who is new to a field or activity and has little experience or training. It denotes someone at the early stage of learning, typically requiring guidance or instruction. The term is common in educational and professional contexts to describe beginners who are gaining basic skills or familiarity.
nounNovice is a person who is new to a field or activity and has little experience or training. It denotes someone at the early stage of learning, typically requiring guidance or instruction. The term is common in educational and professional contexts to describe beginners who are gaining basic skills or familiarity.
"The workshop is designed for novices, with simple, step-by-step instructions."
"As a novice guitarist, she practices chords every day to build muscle memory."
"Even seasoned programmers sometimes mentor novices to help them learn the ropes."
Pronounce it as NO-viss with two syllables. IPA: US /ˈnɒ.vɪs/, UK /ˈnɒ.vɪs/, AU /ˈnɒ.vɪs/. The first syllable carries primary stress. The vowel in the first syllable is a short open /ɒ/ like 'lot' in British English, and the second syllable has a short /ɪ/ followed by a soft /s/.
Common errors include misplacing stress (e.g., NOH-viss with an elongated first vowel) and mispronouncing the second syllable as /z/ or /zɪs/ instead of /vɪs/. Some learners also reduce the second syllable too much, producing NO-vs or NOV-iss. The correct is NO-vɪs with the 'v' clearly voiced and a light final /s/.
In US English, the first syllable tends to be a clear /nɑ/ or /nɒ/ with a tighter /ɒ/ in some regions; the second syllable uses a short /ɪ/ and voiced /s/. UK typically uses /ˈnɒ.vɪs/ with a crisp /v/ and unrounded /ɒ/. Australian English is similar to UK but can have a slightly broader /ɒ/ and a weaker rhotic influence; the final /s/ remains voiceless. Overall: stress on the first syllable, minor vowel quality variations.
The challenge lies in the short, clipped vowels and the precise sequence /ˈnɒ.vɪs/. Learners often misplace the /v/ and slide into /w/ or add an unnecessary /z/ at the end. Additionally, maintaining two clear syllables with the primary stress on the first requires controlled breath and tongue placement; the fast transition from /ɒ/ to /v/ to /ɪ/ to /s/ demands fine motor control.
A common query is whether 'novice' is pronounced with a soft 'c' or a 's' as in 'novice' (the latter resembles 'novice' with soft c). The pronunciation uses a plain /s/ at the end, not a hard /k/ or /t/. The key is the /ɪ/ in the second syllable and the /v/ immediately before it, ensuring the transition: /nɒ/ + /vɪ/ + /s/.
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US: keep the /ɒ/ bright and compact, /v/ clearly voiced, final /s/ voiceless. UK: maintain /ɒ/ length and crisp /v/; a slightly shorter /ɒ/ is common in rapid speech. AU: similar to UK, with potentially broader vowel quality and less rhotic influence; stress remains on the first syllable. In all accents, the key is two clear syllables with stress on the first: NO-viss. IPA targets: US /ˈnɒ.vɪs/, UK /ˈnɒ.vɪs/, AU /ˈnɒ.vɪs/.
Novice comes from the Latin novicius, meaning 'newly arrived, beginner', derived from novus meaning 'new'. In Latin, novicius described someone who was in the first stage of initiation, often used in the context of joining a religious order or guild. By the 14th century in English, novice referred to a person who is inexperienced in a particular field. The usage broadened throughout the 16th–18th centuries to include any beginner, especially in professional or technical domains. The word carries a connotation of needing instruction, mentorship, and gradual skill acquisition. In modern usage, novice commonly contrasts with terms like apprentice, trainee, or expert, highlighting the learning curve and the process of moving from beginner to proficiency. First known uses appear in English dictionaries in the late Middle Ages, with related forms in romance languages reflecting the same root idea of newness or youth in learning contexts.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Novice" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Novice" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Novice"
-ice sounds
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